Three property owners fined over $146,000 for ignoring building removal orders in Hong Kong

Three property owners fined over $140,000 in total for not complying with removal orders

Three owners were convicted and fined $146,210 in total at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts yesterday (March 17) for failing to comply with removal orders issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).

The Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts, the Kwun Tong Law Courts Building

The first case involved an unauthorised structure of about 11 square metres on the rooftop, and the erection of a dividing wall on the upper roof of a detached house on Nam Pin Wai Road, Sai Kung. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the two co-owners under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the removal order, they were prosecuted by the BD and were fined $55,760 in total, of which $31,760 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued.

The second case involved an unauthorised structure of about 58 sq m on the flat roof of a composite building on Battery Street, Jordan. As the UBW was carried out without prior approval and consent from the BD, a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted by the BD and was fined $90,450 in total, of which $25,450 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued.

A spokesman for the BD said today (March 18), "UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement action against owners who fail to comply with removal orders, including instigation of prosecution, to ensure building and public safety."

Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year's imprisonment, and a further fine of up to $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.

Source: AI-found images

CJ expresses sorrow over passing of former NPJ Sir Anthony Frank Mason

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

Chief Justice Andrew Cheung, Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, today (March 18) expressed deep sadness over the passing of the Honourable Sir Anthony Frank Mason, GBM, former Non-Permanent Judge (NPJ) of the Court of Final Appeal (CFA).

"Sir Anthony, who served from 1997 to 2015 as one of the earliest NPJs drawn from another common law jurisdiction, was a steadfast pillar of the CFA since its inception. He sat on many of the Court's most significant constitutional cases during its formative years and authored some of its most important judgments. Beyond constitutional law, he also contributed substantially to the Court's jurisprudence in other important areas of law, leaving a lasting imprint on its early development. Through his judicial wisdom, integrity and international standing, he made an immeasurable contribution to establishing the Court's reputation as Hong Kong's apex court and to securing the confidence and trust of the community it serves. In recognition of his distinguished service to Hong Kong, he was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2013," Chief Justice Cheung said.

Sir Anthony was born in Australia in 1925. He was admitted to the New South Wales Bar in 1951 and appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1964. In 1969, Sir Anthony was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, where he sat as a member of the Court of Appeal until 1972. In 1972, he was appointed to the Bench of the High Court. From 1987 to 1995, he served as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1988.

"On behalf of the Judiciary, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Sir Anthony's family," Chief Justice Cheung said.

Source: AI-found images