GEORGE Y C MOK & CO (a firm) v. TRADE ADVISERS CO LTD

DCCJ18479/2001

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE

HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

CIVIL ACTION NO. 18479 OF 2001

 R U L I N G

1.  This case has a long and chequered history and the case is about matters of principle.  His Honour Judge Lok is obviously familiar with the case, indeed his Honour had given two unreported Rulings respectively dated 21 April 2008 and 23 July 2008.

2.  A bit of history.  The case was scheduled to be heard by His Honour Judge Yung today for trial and five whole days were allocated for trial.  Due to some compelling reasons, His Honour Judge Yung most reluctantly had ordered that the case be transferred to my court.  The case was brought up before me and ended up before me at about 3.45 pm today.  I adjourned into Chambers to determine any case management issues.

3.  Mr Fung, SC., for the Plaintiff addressed me on the long history of the case and indicated that it was all along the intention and anticipation that the case would be tried before His Honour Judge Lok and now the Plaintiff formally applies for leave of this court to see whether the case could be adjourned for trial before His Honour Judge Lok for a five day trial. 

4.  With the kind agreement of Mr Wong, counsel for the Defendant, I consulted the court’s diaries and managed to locate a five day slot commencing from 25 March 2009 before His Honour Judge Lok.  The Plaintiff, again through Mr Fung, SC., asked for those dates.  Mr Wong submitted, however, that the case had been dragging on since 2001 and it is his client’s instructions to deal with the case and trial before me.

5.  At the time when I speak, when I deliver this Ruling, it is already the end of the first day.  Obviously, the allocated four days will be insufficient to deal with this trial.  Without delving on the details and particulars, I was also given to understand that Mr Fung, SC., and Mr Wong, both of them would not be available at the later part of next week and it is highly likely, they submit, that if the case were to be commenced before me, we will go part-heard.

6.  Balancing all the parties’ interests and overriding objective of giving a fair trial to both parties, I decided to adjourn the case to the five days commencing from 25 March 2009 for a trial proper before His Honour Judge Lok.  I of course considered all the matters in the round most carefully and I am grateful to counsel for their helpful submission, but I will seek to highlight the following factors:-

1)       The claim is small.  However, the matters of principles involved are many, varied and are important.

2)       No obvious prejudice will be caused to the Defendant for this adjournment.

3)       I received the confirmation from Mr Wong that the Defendant’s witness or witnesses will be available on those new dates next year.

4)       Lastly and fourthly, His Honour Judge Lok will be available for this trial and His Honour, who I am quite confident given his familiarity of the case, will be able to resolve the trial comfortably, swiftly and efficiently within the newly allocated five days.

7.  So I will adjourn this trial to next year.  Costs of today’s hearing be in the cause.