Why delayed reform stands in the way of class-action lawsuit over Hong Kong fire
Hong Kong residents impacted by a deadly fire are seeking a class-action lawsuit, hindered by the lack of a formal mechanism.Summary
Residents of Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong are seeking collective legal action following the city’s deadliest fire in seven decades, which claimed 168 lives and displaced nearly 5,000. Legal experts are urging authorities to expedite the introduction of a class-action mechanism for multiparty litigation, a proposal that has been stalled for some time. A former member of the estate’s owners’ corporation has also called for the recovery of a HK$31 million performance bond from the renovation contractor. Patrick Lau, a resident who lost his home, expressed support for a class-action mechanism, stating, “If possible, we hope to see a class-action mechanism introduced. If it could help prevent such a tragedy from happening again, we would certainly support it.” The lack of such a mechanism currently complicates the process for residents seeking to file claims and pursue justice collectively.
(Source：South China Morning Post)