Judiciary Prioritizes Legal Support for Victims of Wang Fuk Court Fire Incident

Judiciary to facilitate priority handling of legal proceedings related to the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

​To provide better support to individuals affected by the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, the Judiciary announced today (December 10) that all potential legal proceedings related to the incident will be handled with priority and expeditiously through a series of facilitative measures. The measures include:

(a) Setting up a dedicated task group, headed by the Chief Judge of the High Court and comprising relevant court leaders and specialist judges, to ensure the swift and priority handling of legal proceedings related to the incident at all court levels, without unduly compromising the administration of justice;

(b) Designating a team of support staff for handling probate-related matters relating to the deceased victims of the incident. The team will liaise with the relevant government departments to disseminate essential information on probate-related matters to affected families. A special hotline at 2840 1683 is in operation to answer enquiries on probate-related and other matters associated with the incident;

(c) Waiving probate-related scheduled fees relating to the deceased victims of the incident. The court will consider fee concessions for other court services, where warranted, on their individual merits and in accordance with the applicable fees rules; and

(d) Expediting the processing of coroner-related matters with priority, including the issue of "Certificates of the Fact of Death".

​Following operational experience, the Judiciary will continue to count on the assistance from the legal profession (including legally-aided lawyers) in supporting the courts to handle the various types of proceedings relating to the incident, where appropriate and in the public interest.

The Judiciary, Photo source: reference image

CP grieves over the passing of Senior Police Inspector

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, today (December 10) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of a male Senior Police Inspector, who lost consciousness during an advanced selection assessment for the Police’s Special Duties Unit on December 4. Mr Chow extended his deepest condolences to his family.

The Senior Police Inspector lost consciousness after completing a dive during the advanced selection assessment at the waters off Lamma Island on December 4. He was immediately rescued and conveyed to Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, he passed away this evening.

Members of the Force expressed their deepest sympathy to his family. The Force Welfare Services Group is in touch with his family and will make every effort to assist and support them during this sad and difficult period.

The Force is investigating the incident, and the relevant selection assessment has been temporarily suspended.

The 31-year-old Senior Police Inspector joined the Force in 2016. He was attached to the Police Tactical Unit Headquarters. He had all along shown great enthusiasm and passion for his work and was highly committed to his duties.