KHO SIN TEK HENRY v. LEGAL AID SERVICES COUNCIL

cacv 46/2007

in the high court of the

hong kong special administrative region

court of appeal

civil appeal no. 46 of 2007

(on appeal from hcal NO. 83 of 2006)

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Date of Handing Down Reasons for Judgment: 19 June 2008

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REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

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Hon Rogers VP:

1.  This was an application for leave to appeal to the Court of Final Appeal.

2.  The appeal heard by this court was an appeal from a decision of Madam Justice Chu given on 11 December 2006 whereby the applicant’s application for judicial review of the decision of the Legal Aid Services Council not to provide him with a counsel’s certificate on the merits of an intended appeal to the Court of Final Appeal was refused.  The applicant simply submitted that leave should be given under section 22(1)(b) of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal Ordinance, Cap. 484.

3.  In view of the fact that no new arguments had been advanced, and in the light of this court’s judgment given on 18 January 2008, the application for leave was refused with costs, as this court could not see any grounds for giving leave.

4.  The somewhat convoluted history of these proceedings is set out in the admirable judgment of Madam Justice Chu.  Since then, the applicant has not provided any basis upon which it could be said that that judgment was in error.  This case is an example of why it is necessary that there must be some end to litigation.

Hon Le Pichon JA:

5.  I agree.

Hon Stone J:

6.  I agree.