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Building Management Application2018

中紀投資有限公司 v. 青山道國際工業大廈業主立案法團 AND OTHERS

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Files (3)

[2026] HKLdT 10-EN-2026-03-09

中紀投資有限公司 v. 青山道國際工業大廈業主立案法團 AND OTHERS

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LDBM 256/2018

[2026] HKLdT 10

IN THE LANDS TRIBUNAL OF THE

HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

BUILDING MANAGEMENT APPLICATION NO.256 OF 2018

__________________

BETWEEN

中紀投資有限公司Applicant
and
青山道國際工業大廈業主立案法團
1st Respondent
置佳物業服務有限公司2nd Respondent (Discontinued)
海上樂園有限公司3rd Respondent
(Struck Out)
海上樂園有限公司
4th Respondent
群星貿易有限公司5th Respondent

_________________

Before:His Honour Judge S. H. Lee,
Presiding Officer of the Lands Tribunal
(Paper Disposal)
Submissions from the 4th Respondent (R4) & the 5th Respondent (R5):4 November 2025
A’s Opposing Submissions:25 November 2025
Reply Submissions from R4 & R5:9 December 2025
Date of Decision:9 March 2026

_____________________

DECISION

_____________________

A. Leave sought to appeal against costs order

1.  I adopt in this decision the same abbreviations in my Decision dated 29 August 2025 (the Decision)[1]. Unless specifically referred to named documents, all reference to paragraph numbers herein (para) and to footnote numbers herein are to those of the Decision.

2.  The Decision was made by this Tribunal on the determination of the Summons taken out by the Applicant (CC) pursuant to ss.12(1) & (2) of LTO[2].

3.  At para 155(1) & 155(2), this Tribunal ordered respectively the 4th Respondent (FI) and the 5th Respondent (SG) personally to pay CC the costs of these proceedings, including the costs of the Trial between CC and IO, as ordered by this Tribunal against IO in the Trial Judgment[3] as it was later varied and made absolute[4] (the Costs Order vs R4, the Costs Order vs R5, and collectively the 2 Costs Orders).

4.  Dissatisfied with the Costs Order vs R4 and the Costs Order vs R5 made against them respectively, FI and SG applied for leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal by way of Interlocutory Application filed respectively on 26 September 2025 (FI’s Application) and 12 September 2025 (SG’s Application).

5.  CC opposed both FI’s Application and SG’s Application. This is my decision disposing of both applications on paper after receiving written submissions and additional authorities from two counsels from CC, FI and SG each.

B. Background to the Trial Judgment

6.  These can be found in Sections B & C of the Decision. For present purposes, the following points may be highlighted.

B1. FI and Mao

7.  FI (corporate owner of Flat 9B), was formerly the 3rd respondent to this application taken out by CC against three respondents (the second respondent, Top Property, was then manager of the Building) and had filed its NOO (and a witness statement of Mao (Mao’s W/S), its director and shareholder) to defend this application.

8.  Mao (茅) served as FI’s AR under BMO to MC from 2015 to 2020 (and thereafter served as AR of M&P, corporate owner of Flats 12AB, to MC). Mao was also a shareholder and director of M&P and STL (corporate owner of Flat 9A).

9.  One firm of solicitors initially represented both FI and IO (the 1st respondent) in this application. FI later struck out CC’s claim against it for lack of locus standi and ceased to be a party to this application. The Trial ultimately proceeded against IO alone with IO acting in person.

B2. SG and Mok

10.  Mok (莫), a director and shareholder of SG (corporate owner of Flat 4B), and SG’s AR to MC under BMO as well as MC Chairman, conducted IO’s defence in person before this Tribunal at the Trial as IO’s authorized representative pursuant to s.26 of LTO. MC Chairman Mok had made witness statements as IO’s witness and called himself at the Trial as IO’s sole factual witness.

B3. Relief granted to CC against IO after the Trial

11.  By way of relief granted after the Trial, CC obtained in the Trial Judgment a mandatory order compelling IO to perform its duties under the DMC and BMO to enforce against FI provisions of the DMC and BMO, inter alia, to require FI to remove the Glass Door, fill up the Opening that FI had caused to be erected and made (the Opening and the Glass Door collectively Subject UBWs), and to require FI to reinstate wall of 9/F Protected Lobby that FI had damaged, including, if necessary, by IO taking out enforcement proceedings against FI.

B4. Subject UBWs erected by FI

12.  By erecting Subject UBWs in 2012 (making of the Opening at that side of wall of 9/F Protected Lobby adjoining Flat 9B FI owned at door B location) and in 2013 (installing the Glass Door at the Opening) in breach of s.14(1) of BO, FI obtained and enjoyed the Direct Access that it does not otherwise enjoy.

B5. Order and litigation leading to the Settlement Agreement between FI & IO, and BA 2014 Letter to FI

13.  Pursuant to s.24(1) of BO, BA had served the 2012 Order on FI requiring FI’s “reinstatement (還原)”. IO had thereafter sued FI in 2013 LT Proceedings. Afterwards, FI and IO reached the Settlement Agreement to stay 2013 LT Proceedings. In 2014, FI had received from BA BA 2014 Letter regarding the 2012 Order after engaging a contractor called PIL to install the Glass Door at the Opening.

B6. MBIS Notice to IO prescribing inspection (& report of UBWs) and repairs of common parts

14.  In 2015, BA served on IO MBIS Notice requiring prescribed inspection and repairs to all common parts (including 9/F Protected Lobby and its wall adjoining Flat 9B). Subject UBWs (and other Private UBWs) were required under BO to be reported to BA in inspection report prepared by RI appointed to comply with MBIS Notice.

15.  First RI appointed by IO i.e. AHL was dismissed by IO after finishing its inspection report. Second RI appointed by IO i.e. K&H had its second inspection report already submitted to BA withdrawn at IO’s demand. And IO had threatened Top Property with legal action after Top Property demanded FI to remove Subject UBWs.

B7. Two MC Resolution ratifying Subject UBWs

16.  Attending MC members, consisting of, inter alia, MC Chairman Mok, Mao and, Mao’s personal secretary, Hung (who also served as AR of STL to MC under BMO) (Mok, Mao and Hung collectively MMH), had unanimously resolved at MC meetings by way of 2019 MC Resolution (and signed the 2019 Statement (嚴正聲明) referred therein) and 2023 MC Resolution to approve or ratify FI’s conversion of common parts of 9/F Protected Lobby to its private use by way of Subject UBWs on the purported grounds of the 2012 Order, the 2013 LT Proceedings, the Settlement Agreement and BA 2014 Letter.

B8. All IO’s defence rejected after the Trial

17.  In the Trial Judgment, this Tribunal disbelieved Mok, found him a liar after hearing him in the box, and rejected all IO’s defence to these proceedings in its Amended NOO settled by two counsels (i.e. the 2012 Order, the 2013 LT Proceedings, the Settlement Agreement, BA 2014 Letter and the Two MC Resolutions) on the applicable law and/or its findings of fact made after considering all evidence adduced by CC and IO at the Trial.

B9. CC’s case against IO proven at the Trial

18.  In the Trial Judgment, this Tribunal found CC to have proven its case against IO of IO having been condoning FI’s breaches of the DMC, BMO, BO and its subsidiary regulations on fire-resistant structure and safe means of escape by way of Subject UBWs in deliberate and flagrant breach of IO’s own statutory duties under BMO, the MBIS Notice and those of the DMC.

C. Procedural History of the Summons

19.  The aforesaid history can be found at Sections A and D of the Decision. For present purpose, some additional matters are highlighted below to resolve FI’s Application.

C1. CC’s reliance of evidence at the Trial and Trial Findings

20.  After it prevailed, and obtained its relief, against IO in the Trial Judgment after the Trial held against IO (which lasted as many as 6 days), CC took out the Summons, and sought the 2 Costs Orders against FI and SG (both not being a party to the Trial) relying on the evidence of the Trial and the Trial Findings.

21.  CC had set out in Ng’s 2nd Affirmation filed in support of the Summons, among others, the following evidence adduced at the Trial or the following Trial Findings (as the case may be):

(1) the 2012 Order served on FI that required its “reinstatement” was directed at the Opening at door B location whereas both the 2013 LT Proceedings against FI and the Settlement Agreement made by FI related to an entirely different subject matter, namely, door A at the opposite wall of 9/F Protected Lobby[5];

(2) PIL engaged by FI had not, by way of simplified procedure for class III minor works, reported installation of the Glass Door (nor submitted the Certificate of Completion) to BA, and Subject UBWs remainedillegal structure under BO despite FI had received BA 2014 Letter[6];

(3) CC had previously made known to FI of its allegations of false and misleading allegations contained in Mao’s W/S regarding matters on (2) above by writing to, and serving Amended NOA and Amended Reply filed against CC in these proceedings on, FI[7].

(4) Mok had also made it clear in his supplemental witness statement that IO had relied onFI’s allegations of minor works being carried out under BO to defend against CC’s claim in its NOO[8];

(5) IO, knowing of its statutory duties and in deliberate breach of them, had failed to enforce the DMC and BMO against FI’s breaches of them but passed the Two MC Resolution to condoneFI by allowing FI to keep Subject UBWs[9];

(6) Among all MC members, Mok and Mao were the two who “mostly” handled the MBIS Notice and they were “on friendly terms”[10];

(7) AHL had reported Subject UBWs and other Private UBWs in its inspection report, and recommended for their removal but was dismissed by IO for its refusal to rectify[11];

(8) K&H’s second inspection report also included Subject UBWs and other Private UBWs despite IO had demanded it to prepare two inspection reports, with the one submitted to BA not containing them. K&H resigned after it was forced by IO to withdraw from BA its second report already submitted to BA[12];

(9) IO had threatened Top Property with legal action (and later terminated its manager contract) for having said in its NOO as the 2nd respondent in this application that it had advised MC Chairman Mok and FI’s AR to MC that Subject UBWs were found “problematic” in K&H’s report (but that MC took no follow-up thereafter) and for having later written to FI to demand for their removal[13]; and

(10) IO (or MC), in not complying with MBIS Notice for as long as over 7 years to condone FI, had been in derelict of its duties and had sacrificed the interest of all owners of the Building[14].

C2. Four grounds advanced by CC to seek the 2 Costs Order

22.  As was recorded in Section E of the Decision, CC puts forward a total of 4 Grounds to seek the 2 Costs Orders (Ground 1 to Ground 4 respectively).

23.  It should be noted that:

(1) CC had asserted as part of Ground 2 that SG and FI had “exercised practicalcontrol” on MC (or IO) over 3 matters i.e. 1) removal of Subject UBWs; 2) compliance of MBIS Notice; and 3) defence of these proceedings (which assertion of control over MC (or IO) was, of course, not in issue at the Trial between CC and IO) and repeated as part of Ground 1 that SG and FI had control of MC over 1) removal of Subject UBWs.

(2) Not a word of “collusion”, “conspiracy” or “fraud” was put forward by CC in Ground 1 or Ground 2.

(3) On Ground 3against FI, CC’s only assertion at para 24 to 28 of Ng’s 2nd Affirmation (under Section E entitled “improper and/or dishonest conduct of Mok and Mao in this litigation”) is that FI had been guilty of impropriety in this litigation by reason of false and misleading allegations, and false document (i.e. the Certificate of Completion) contained in Mao’s W/S regarding alleged minor works carried out by PIL on FI’s behalf that found its way into the Trial as part of IO’s case and evidence at the Trial.

(4) CC did not rely in Ground 4 on mere “impecuniosity of IO”.

C3. First Stage of the Summons

24.  By consent of CC and FI, this Tribunal joined FI as R4 for costs purpose at the first stage of the Summons and gave directions for filing affidavit evidence as they agreed. After hearing SG’s counsels at an oral hearing, this Tribunal also joined SG as R5 for same purpose with similar directions. No parties sought directions like discovery or oral examination of deponents.

C4. FI’s reply to evidence at the Trial and Trial Findings

25.  Two months and more than two months respectively after CC filed Ng’s 2nd Affirmation, legal teams for SG and FI filed Mok’s Affirmation and Mao’s 2nd Affirmation to oppose the Summons and to respond to CC’s allegations (including CC’s reliance on evidence adduced at the Trial and the Trial Findings) and CC’s 4 grounds for seeking the 2 Costs Order stated in Ng’s 2nd Affirmation.

26.  Mao (of FI) had, among others, seen fit to reply or respond in Mao’s 2nd Affirmation to say that:

(1) Ng’s allegations against him (or FI) were “very serious” and that it would be “procedurallyunfair” for this Tribunal to apply such of the Trial Findings made against Mok or IOdirectlyagainst FI or to condemn FI without hearing FI as a party to the Trial[15];

(2) the decision to terminate AHL’s appointment as RI was made by IO at 2016 EGM[16]. And the decision to require K&H to prepare two inspection reports was made by MC at its meeting held on 19 July 2018. K&H’s RI’s contract was not terminated by IO but that K&H resigned on its own in 2019[17];

(3) the Trial Findings are not binding on FI at law as it was not a party to the Trial[18];

(4) Mok had not fully or properly explained all pertinent matters to this Tribunal at the Trial such that he (Mao) needs to “draw some very important background facts to the attention of this Tribunal” as the Trial Judgment does “not represent the truth” but was a mere “product of the [judicial] system”[19];

(i) the Direct Access was in fact not the sole access from Flat 9B owned by FI to 9/F Lift Lobby as Mok had admitted at the Trial (and was accepted by this Tribunal in the Trial Judgment)[20];

(ii) after the 2012 Order was made against FI, IO had taken out 2013 LT Proceedings against FI as a result. After FI and IO had reached the Settlement Agreement, FI had in 2013 arranged for “minor works” to be carried out by its contractor at the opening at door B location by “installing” the Glass Door to implement the terms of the Settlement Agreement. Afterwards, BA sent BA 2014 Letter to FI informing it that the 2012 Order had been rescinded[21]; and

(iii) based on the aforesaid FI’s implementation of the Settlement Agreement, IO had no right (and this Tribunal should not compel IO) to demand FI removing the Glass Door or filling up the Opening[22].

C5. Second Stage of the Summons

27.  After CC had subsequently filed Ng’s 3rd Affirmation by way of reply to Mok’s Affirmation and Mao’s 2nd Affirmation, two counsels each for FI, SG and CC lastly addressed this Tribunal orally at the 2nd stage hearing of the Summons (the Hearing).

28.  For the record, counsels for FI at Section C3 of FI’s skeleton submission dated 17 April 2025 for the Hearing submitted that the Trial Findings are, with no exception, inadmissible against FI as a stranger to the Trial, relying on 193E-F[23] of Symphony case.

29.  Big Island case that this Tribunal cited in Section F of, and acted on in, the Decision was not among 19 authorities FI cited in its list of authorities for the Hearing.

30.  Nor were the two cases of 1) Barndeal Ltd v London Borough of Richmond-Upon-Thames[24] (Barndeal case) and 2) Chung Wah Steel Works Co Ltd v Chan Kwong Kwan[25] (Chung Wah Steel case) cited at [14] of Big Island case (and now found at para 23.2 of FI’s Leave Submissions in support of alleged “misdirection in law” made by this Tribunal) cited in FI’s list of authorities for the Hearing.

31.  As far as memory of this Tribunal goes, two counsels for FI instructed for the Hearing (and now instructed for FI’s Application) never cited at the 2nd stage of the Summons, including at the Hearing, 1) [14] of Big Island case, 2) Barndeal case or 3) Chung Wah Steel case. Neither did counsels for SG or CC.

D. Fact-specific jurisdiction and an exercise of discretion

32.  This Tribunal at Section F of the Decision refers to legal principles applicable to the Summons. Among others, they include:

(1) the overall consideration, or the ultimate question, in such application is whether it would be in the interest of justice to make the costs order sought. This is inevitably to some extent a fact-specific jurisdiction with a number of different considerations in play. It also involves an exercise of discretion and limited assistance is likely to be gained from other decisions.

(2) There are two situations where it would be appropriate to make a non-party costs order.

(i) The first is where the third party is considered to be a real party interested in the outcome of the suit.

(ii) The second is where the third party has been responsible for bringing the proceedings and they have been brought in bad faith or for an ulterior purpose, or that there be some other conduct on his part in relation to the litigation that makes it just and reasonable to make the costs order sought against him (for example, giving dishonest evidence and/or knowingly running a false claim).

E. Overview of the Decision

33.  The approach adopted, and the rulings and factual findings made, by this Tribunal in the Decision could be summarized by way of the following 20 points (Point 1 to Point 20 respectively).

E1. Points 1 & 2 - Attribution Issue against SG and FI respectively

(1) At para 57(12), as against SG, having considered pertinent BMO provisions and bearing in mind the context of the Summons, this Tribunal first held that conducts made, and knowledge acquired, by Mok in his capacity of MC member as SG’s AR could be attributable to SG on general agency principles, with Mok treated as SG’s “directing mind and will” if required, due to, among others, the following reasons:

(i) Mok was at all material times an agentappointed and authorized by SG, corporate owner of the Building and itself a corporate MC member at BMO, to serve as SG’s representative to MC. But not for his status as AR of SG, he would not, and could not, have been chosen as MC Chairman: para 57(7); and

(ii) Mok was authorized by MC to conduct these proceedings on IO’s behalf and to give evidence as IO’s witness at the Trial in his capacity of MC Chairmanand not otherwise. In that capacity as MC Chairman, Mok remained SG’s authorized agent/representative to MC at all times: para 57(10) (Point 1).

(2) For similar reasons, at para 58, this Tribunal also held that Mao’s conduct and knowledge, while serving as AR of FI to MC are all attributable to FI (Point 2).

E2. Points 3 & 4 - Admissibility Issue against FI and SG respectively

(3) At para 60-62 & 65, as against FI, this Tribunal quoted, and held on, the affidavit evidence adduced on the Summons and found in hearing bundle (HB) that evidence adduced by CC and IO at the Trial and the Trial Findings are, by way of exception to a general exclusionary rule, admissibleagainst FI in my determination of the Summons for the following two reasons:

(i) FI (or Mao) had a very close connection with these proceedings from its beginning until the Trial in terms of FI erecting Subject UBWs that IO had allegedly failed to enforce DMC and BMO provisions against, being a former party to these proceedings, providing as many as 5 grounds of defence related to FI (or Mao) for IO to deploy at the Trial, with Mao (one of two MC members handling “mostly” with the MBIS Notice) and Hung resolving at MC meetings for IO to defend these proceedings, and subsequently assisting IO’s conduct of these proceedings up to closing submissions indirectly albeit not as a party thereto: para 63(1)-(11); and

(ii) Any alleged unfairness or injustice that FI now complains of if it be bound by evidence of the Trial and the Trial Findings on the applicable case law is the result of FI’s own election to strike out CC’s application against it knowing CC’s allegations, and relief sought, against IO in these proceedings, its own election not to join as a party to these proceedings thereafter despite CC’s reminders of its allegations against FI (and Mao), and its own election to provide only limited (and not full) assistance to IO’s conduct of these proceedings indirectly: para 64(1)-(15) (Point 3).

(4) At para 66, this Tribunal also find that SG (with Mok as its AR) has close connection with these proceedings that it suffers no injustice by being bound by the evidence presented by IO and CC at the Trial and the Trial Findings, which are also admissible against SG in my determination of the Summons (Point 4).

E3 Points 5 & 6 - FI “caused” these proceeding for its “benefit” and it is not in IO’s interest to defend, especially defending alone

(5) Having decided against FI and SG respectively on the Admissibility Issue, on top of considering 1) affidavit evidence filed by CC, FI and SG on the Summons, this Tribunal started also referring to 2) evidence adduced at the Trial and 3) the Trial Findings (these 3 sources of evidence admissible on the Summons collectively the Totality of Evidence), held at para 67(1)-(5) that FI had caused these proceeding to begin and to continue until the Trial by erecting Subject UBWs and maintaining them despite CC’s demands for their removal (and by its control with SG over MC’s defence of these proceedings and handling of MBIS Notice) and rejected FI’s contrary submissions at para 68 by finding that:

(i) FI personally enjoyed continuingbenefit for having erected, and for maintaining, Subject UBWs: para 70 & 71.

(ii) IO’s stance in defending these proceedings was dictated by real and apparent/perceived benefit to FI in the above status quo: para 72.

(iii) All the other owners suffered divers continuingdetriments while IO sought to preserve status quo in defending these proceedings for FI’s benefit: para 73.

(iv) IO had in truth no arguable ground to defend these proceedings as was ultimately proven by the Trial Judgment: para 74 (Point 5).

(6) Accordingly, it was, this Tribunal held at para 75, not in IO’s interest to defend these proceedings (nor for IO to defend against CC alone) to benefit FI. This is especially the case when IO

(i) got no funding from FI for this application (and the Trial) and had to fall back on its limited fund from all owners;

(ii) had no evidential and legal support by way of FI as co-respondent or third party at the Trial, and no costs recourse from FI as third party in the event of losing the Trial; and

(iii) got no legal protection from FI’s running same and different grounds to those run by IO at the Trial in any future enforcement proceedings that IO be compelled to take against FI after losing the Trial: para 76-79 (Point 6).

E4. Point 7 - MMH in effective “control” of MC over removal of Subject UBWs, handling of MBIS Notice and these proceedings “in the respective interests of FI and SG” and for their respective benefits

(7) This Tribunal went on to reject submissions of FI and SG at para 80-83[26] (both of them by reference to minutes of MC meetings, and the many unanimous and collective decisions of attending MC members recorded therein, on Subject UBWs, handling of MBIS Notice and defence of these proceedings) that Mao and Mok respectively, as minority member of MC, did not (and could not) control MC at all material times by reference to, among others, the following salient evidence admissible against FI (and SG) on the Summons:

(i) At all material times, Mok and Mao were on “friendly terms” and were 2 MC members who “mostly” handled MBIS Notice. As MC members, they had taken their turn at divers critical moments to have decided against, and had taken every means open to them to delay as long as they could, MC’s removal of Subject UBWs and other private UBWs that were required to be reported to BA by RIs appointed under MBIS Notice and MC’s compliance with MBIS Notice: para 85(1), 85(2), 85(4), 85(8), 85(9), 85(11)-(25).

(ii) MC had not called for general meetings of IO to be held for important decisions on above matters concerned to be discussed, and resolved, by all owners but kept the decision making to themselves with MMH attending all concerned MC meetings collectively holding the majority votes: para 86, 86(1)-(3).

(iii) Mao did not recuse himself (nor declaredFI’sself-interest) at the two MC meetings that resolved to pass the two MC Resolutions to benefit FI: para 86(6).

(iv) The contents of the 2019 Statement purporting to explain the 2019 MC Resolution are far from the truth to the knowledge of Mao and Mok, and purported reliance of BA 2014 Letter for passing the 2023 MC Resolution recorded on minute was contrary to the Trial Findings and the terms of the letter itself: para 86(7) & (8).

(v) MC members apparently took no independent legal advice from its legal advisers before or when they made these and other important decisions above on their own at concerned MC meetings (nor discussed the pros and cons, or the merits and costs, of defending these proceedings) and they did not see fit to have written to FI a single letter before the Trial requesting FI to remove Subject UBWs to avoid a costly legal battle between IO and CC: para 86(9)-(12).

(vi) Other MC members attending these MC meetings concerned gave no evidence on the Summons to explain why they shared same view of MMH, or decided or resolved in the same ways as MMH did, as recorded on the minutes of MC meetings: para 86(4) & (5).

(vii) IO had no arguable ground to defend these proceedings, whose defence was not in IO’s interest but in FI’s interest to the knowledge of MMH: para 86(13)-(15).

(viii) MC had over the year in flagrant beach of IO’s duties under BMO and the DMC obstructed and/or delayed compliance of MBIS Notice, and removal of Subject UBWS to the detriment of all owners of the Building: para 86(16) & (17).

On the Totality of Evidence, this Tribunal came to conclude at para 87 and 88, by drawing the only reasonable inference, that MMH had, in the self-interest of FI and SG, effectively controlled MC over 1) handling of MBIS Notice, 2) removal of Subject UBWs and 3) defence of these proceedings for the respective benefits of FI and SG. It does not matter that other MC members had acted “independently” as alleged or otherwise (Point 7).

E5. Point 8 - IO’s defence of these proceeding also “benefits” SG (or Mok)

(8) Considering the Totality of Evidence, this Tribunal rejected SG’s contrary submission at para 83 and maintained its findings in the Trial Judgment that Mok could benefit from IO defending the status quo in these proceedings by exonerating FI (or Mao) for its misconducts over Subject UBWs and handling of MBIS Notice and/or Mok’s own past misconducts over the same as MC Chairman. That enabled Mok to maintain his friendship with Mao and/or his reputation as MC Chairman and such intangible and indirect benefit to Mok (as AR of SG to MC) could be attributable to SG and, on the case law, be considered as “benefit” of SG for making a non-party costs order against it: para 90 & 91 (Point 8)[27].

E6. Point 9 - SG also responsible for “causing” these proceedings

(9) But not for MMH’s effective control of MC on the above important matters and Mok’s control, and conduct, of IO’s defence of these proceedings, including giving evidence thereof, these proceedings would not, this Tribunal held, have started nor continued until the end of the Trial. This Tribunal therefore also found SG responsible for causing these proceedings: para 92 (Point 9).

E7. Point 10 - FI and SG each a “real party” to these proceedings

(10) This Tribunal therefore concluded at para 94 that each of FI and SG is a “real party” to these proceedings (Point 10).

E8. Point 11 - Ground 1 and Ground 2 proven against FI & SG respectively

(11) Ground 1 and Ground 2 are thus both made out against FI and SG respectively: para 95 (Point 11).

E9. Point 12 - FI guilty of impropriety in this litigation

(12) This Tribunal found that FI, while it was a party to these proceedings, had committed “serious impropriety” in these proceedingsin bad faith by putting forwards false evidence by filing Mao’s W/S (containing false allegations of 1) an alleged door at door B location being replaced by the Glass Door and 2) alleged submission of the Certificate of Completion to BA by PIL on its behalf) verified by Mao by way of his statement of truth, which false evidence and false document had found their way into the Trial as part of IO’s case and evidence at the Trial such that it had forced (or caused) CC to have incurred substantial costs to rebut these false evidence before and at the Trial: para 100-112 (Point 12).

E10. Point 13 - SG also guilty of impropriety in this litigation

(13) Mok, in his capacity as MC Chairman, had also, this Tribunal held, committed “serious impropriety” in this litigation by giving false evidence himself and knowingly running a false defence, and such misconducts of him in badfaith in conducting and maintaining IO’s false defence by means of such false evidence have compelled CC to continue these proceedings until the conclusion of the Trial, incurring unnecessarily substantial costs in the process: para 114 to 117 (Point 13).

E11. Point 14 - Ground 3 proven against FI & SG respectively

(14) Hence, Ground 3 is also made out against FI and SG respectively: para 118 (Point 14).

E12. Point 15 - Ground 4 made out but insufficient alone for discretion to be exercised against FI or SG

(15) At para 119(1)-(5) & 120, CC had, this Tribunal held, made out its factual premises in support of Ground 4 of, inter alia, dire financial situation of IO, and CC (and CDL)’s liability as owner of the Building to contribute to IO’s costs of these proceedings after IO loses the same but not the other way round. But this Tribunal agreed with submissions of FI and SG that it is insufficient on its own to warrant exercising s.12(2) of LTO against them: para 122-124, 125(4), 126, 130, 140 & 141 (Point 15).

E13. Point 16 - No weight given to SG’s lack of warning objection

(16) Having considered, inter alia, Mok’s evidence and the case law about giving timeous warning of seeking non-party costs order, this Tribunal decided to give no weight to the lack of warning objection raised by SG: para 131 to 139 (Point 16).

E14. Points 17 to 20 - Discretion exercised against FI & SG respectively in the interests of justice on Grounds 1 & 2, Ground 3 alone, Grounds 1 to 3, or Grounds 1 to 4

(17) Considering Ground 1 and Ground 2 together as they are intertwined (as Ground 1 also requires effective control of SG and FI over MC), this Tribunal found it in the interests of justice to make the 2 Costs Orders respectively against FI and SG (despite protection given to Mok under s.29A(1) of BMO[28] as MC member if he has acted in good faith or in a reasonable manner) and disagreed with FI’s (and SG’s) incorrect or incomplete description of the true circumstances of this tripartite building management dispute: para 142 to 148 (Point 17).

(18) This Tribunal also found Ground 3 alonesufficient to warrant exercising its discretion to make the 2 Costs Orders respectively against FI and SG: para 149 & 150 (Point 18).

(19) In any event, this Tribunal also found it sufficient on Ground 1, Ground 2 and Ground 3 combined to make the 2 Costs Orders respectively against FI and SG: para 151 (Point 19).

(20) In any event, this Tribunal found all 4 Grounds combinedsufficient to exercise its discretion against FI and SG respectively as Ground 4 adds weight to CC’s overall case against them on the Summons. The outcome envisaged on Ground 4 is, this Tribunal agreed with CC’s submissions, unjust, if not manifestly unjust, to CC in the circumstances of this building management dispute: para 121, 152 to 154(1)-(7) (Point 20).

F. Rules and principles on leave to appeal

34.  Under s.11(2) of LTO, any party to proceedings before the Tribunal may appeal to the Court of Appeal against a judgment, order or decision of the Tribunal on the ground that such judgment, order or decision is “erroneous in point of law”.

35.  As to “error of law”, this has been explained by Bokhary PJ at [32-33] of Kwong Mile Services Ltd v Commissioner of Inland Revenue[29], which exposition was applied by the Court of Appeal on appeal from Lands Tribunal at [19] of Chu Hoi (International) Ltd v Chow Kwok Fong (No 2)[30].

36.  S.11AA(1) of the LTO requires leave to be granted by the Tribunal before an appeal under s.11(2) can be made. S.11AA(5)(a) of LTO provides that leave to appeal may be granted in respect of a particular issue arising out of the judgment, order or decision. S.11AA(6) of LTO further provides that “leave to appeal shall not be granted” unless the Tribunal is “satisfied” that:

(a) the appeal has a “reasonable prospect of success”; or

(b) there is “some other reason in the interests of justice” why the appeal should be heard.

37.  A “reasonable prospect of success” on the above first limb at s.11AA(6)(a) of LTO means an appeal with a prospect that is more than fanciful without having to be probable: [17] of SMSE v KL[31], applied recently by the Court of Appeal on appeal from Lands Tribunal at [24] of The Incorporated Owners of Hung Wai Building v Sunny Elegant Ltd & Ors[32].

38.  Leave may be granted under the second “interests of justice” limb at s.11AA(6)(b) of LTO if the question is one of general principle, decided for the first time; or a question of importance upon which further argument and a decision of the Court of Appeal would be to the public advantage: Hong Kong Civil Procedure 2026, Vol 1, §59/2A/4 at p.1278.

39.  An appeal is not an occasion for regurgitating arguments already advanced and rejected by the judge or for running arguments which could and should have been raised but were not raised before the judge: [16] of Progetto Jewellery Co Ltd v Lau Chiu Ying[33], applied at [25] of IO of Hung Wai Building, supra.

40.  The Court of Appeal will not interfere with the exercise of a judge’s discretion in the award of costs unless it was shown that he failed to exercise the discretion, or exercised it upon a false principle, or did not exercise it judicially. An appeal against the exercise of discretion will not be entertained unless it is shown that the discretion was not exercised at all, or that the judge made some error of law or facts or was in disregard of principle, or that he took into account irrelevant matters, or that the decision was “plainly wrong” or was “outside the generous ambit within which a reasonable disagreement is possible”: [14] of Mark Richard Charlton Sutherland v CRB[34].

41.  Absent palpable error in the exercise of discretion on costs, the mere fact that appellate judges might have exercised the discretiondifferently is not sufficient to interfere with the decision of the judge below: [36-38] of Progetto Jewellery Co Ltd, supra.

G. Grounds of appeal raised by FI and SG

42.  SG’s grounds of appeal were set out in a draft Notice of Appeal annexed to a letter dated 19 September 2025 from its solicitors to this Tribunal (SG’s NOA).

43.  Reading SG’s NOA and SG’s written submissions lodged for SG’s Application (SG’s Leave Submissions & SG Reply Submissions), SG contended that this Tribunal made alleged errors of law in the Decision on Points 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13 and 17.

44.  FI’s grounds of appeal were set out in a draft Notice of Appeal exhibited as “TLCE-1” to Affirmation of Tse Lap Chung Edward filed on 26 September 2025 (FI’s NOA).

45.  Reading FI’s NOA and FI’s written submissions lodged for FI’s Application (FI’s Leave Submissions & FI’s Reply Submissions), FI contended that this Tribunal committed alleged errors of law in the Decision on its “approach” in addressing “all crucial issues” on Grounds 1 and 2, on Points 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 17 and 20.

46.  On top of relying on 1st limb at s.11AA(6)(a) of LTO, both FI and SG contended that leave to appeal should also be granted by this Tribunal as per 2nd limb at s.11AA(6)(b) of LTO.

47.  Counsels for CC had lodged one set of consolidated written submissions to oppose both FI’s Application and SG’s Application (CC’s Leave Submissions) on both limbs of s.11AA(6) of LTO.

48.  This Tribunal has fully considered FI’s NOA, FI’s Leave & Reply Submissions, SG’s NOA, SG’s Leave & Reply Submissions, CC’s Leave Submissions, and all additional authorities that FI, SG and CC have provided.

H. Discussion

H1. Intended appeal of SG against Point 1

49.  I refer to para 1 of SG’s NOA (and Section C of SG’s Leave Submissions). This ground is, I think, devoid of merits for the reasons below:

(1) SG merely repeated its failed reliance of [95] of Incorporated Owners of Wing Ming Industrial Centrewithout pointing out how this Tribunal’s view of this case at para 57(2) was incorrect.

(2) SG did not completely quote, nor focus on all pertinent words of para 11(1) & (2) of Schedule 2 of BMO at para 10(1) & (2) of SG’s Leave Submissions.

(i) SG has omitted reference to the first few important words of para 11(1) of Schedule 2 of BMO which reads: “Where an owner or other person, being a body corporate, isappointed as a member of a management committee under this Schedule[35] (bold and italics supplied)”.

(ii) Para 11(1) of Schedule 2 of BMO went on to say: “that body corporate may appoint a director or other officer of that body or some other individual to act as its representative (authorized representative (獲授權代表) i.e. AR) for the purpose of this Ordinance as if[36] [AR] were a member of the management committee in his own right and paragraph 4(1), 4(2)(a), (b), (c), (d) and (f), (3), (4) and (5) shall apply to the [AR] (italics, underline and bold supplied)”.

(iii) Therefore, for reasons given at para 57(3)-(6) and not otherwise, para 11(2) of Schedule 2 of BMO starts with the words “If an [AR] ceases to be a member of a management committee under paragraph 4(2)(a), (b), (c), (d) or (f) or (4), the body corporatemay appoint another [AR]in his place… (italics and bold supplied)”.

(3) SG in its submissions wrongly assumes that only BMO and no other law govern relationship between corporate MC member and AR that it appoints as its representative to MC. As the word AR suggests and as was pointed out at para 57(7) & (12), general agency principles apply as AR is an agent of corporate MC member.

(4) Nowhere is it indicated in para 11(2) of Schedule 2 of BMO that a corporate MC member can only appoint another AR in place of an AR previously appointed by it in the limited circumstances of paragraph 4(2)(a), (b), (c), (d) or (f) or (4) of Schedule 2 as SG sought to argue at footnote 2 of SG’s Leave Submissions.

(5) On general agency principles, an agent’s authority to act comes from the principal. Ordinarily, it can be revoked, or the agent be replaced, if the principal sees fit to do so after appointment: see also last sentence to para 57(10).

(6) I agree with para 24 of CC’s Leave Submissions that it cannot be the intention of the legislature that an AR, once appointed, has a mandatory tenure to remain in MC against the will or interest of the corporate MC member that appoints him or her to MC.

(7) An AR “duly authorized” and “appointed” by a corporate owner (or corporate MC member) to serve as its “representative” to MC under BMO is, I think, a different animal from a director appointed to the board of directors of a company under Companies Ordinance, Cap.622. And Mok did not give evidence at the Trial as a mere director in his personal capacity. So, 194A of Symphony case cited at footnote 3 of SG’s NOA does not assist SG.

(8) This Tribunal had plainly taken into consideration those factual matters mentioned in para 1(d)(i)-(iv) of SG’s NOA: see para 55, 56 and 57(10).

(9) Regarding para 1(c) of SG’s NOA, the evidence given by Mok at para 6 and 10 of Mok’s Affirmation (which this Tribunal hadalso considered at para 57(11)) is that SG (through its board of directors) had at all material times appointed/authorized Mok to act as SG’s AR to MC and given Mok a free hand, or full and unfettered discretion, on IO’s affairs for Mok to decide and to act as Mok sees fit, including, one thinks, voting as MC Chairman at MC meetings and giving evidence as IO’s factual witness at the Trial. Hence, Mok could, I think, be treated as SG’s “directing mind and will” if required: para 57(12).

(10) If SG was (or came to be) dissatisfied with Mok’s decisions or actions regarding IO’s affairs, it could, one thinks, take such action(s) as general agency principles allow it to do as the principal that duly authorized or appointed Mok as its agent in the first place, including terminating his appointment as SG’s AR to MC.

(11) As was made clear at para 57(10), though Mok was authorized by MC collectively to conduct IO’s defence at the Trial, to make witness statement, and to give evidence, as IO’s witness, he so conducted or took those actions in his dual capacities of 1) MC Chairman authorized by MC collectively and, importantly, as 2) SG’s AR (or duly authorized agent/representative) to MC. The latter (or second) capacity of Mok had by no means disappeared at the Trial.

50. Hence, I do not find it arguable that it is erroneous at law for me to attribute MC Chairman Mok’s conducts and knowledge to SG as per Point 1.

H2. Intended appeal of FI against Point 3

51.  I refer to para 2 to 4 of FI’s NOA (and Section D2 of FI’s Leave Submissions[37] and Section C of FI’s Reply Submissions).

52.  Looking at para 15 of FI’s Reply Submissions, FI now accepts that 193G of Symphony case allows for exception or departure from a general rule of inadmissibility (the Admissibility Exception). FI’s current complaint is that this Tribunal “erred in finding [the Admissibility Exception] applied on the facts…”.

53.  Having so identified FI’s current complaint, for the following reasons, para 2 of FI’s NOA is, I think, unmeritorious:

(1) The matters in para 63(1)-(11) are plainly all relevant considerations in the context of the Summons for this Tribunal to take into account to assess if FI has a sufficiently close connection with these proceedings to trigger the Admissibility Exception.

(2) In considering the above matters, this Tribunal did have regard to those matters that FI complained in para 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6 of FI’s NOA that this Tribunal had allegedly “failed to have sufficient or any regard” to.

(3) For the alleged matter complained at para 2.2 of FI’s NOA, there is no evidence of the claimed “fact” that MC had unanimously approved Mok and Mao to handle MBIS Notice as such. There is no such resolution produced before this Tribunal.

(4) This Tribunal always remembered that this is a tripartite building management dispute involving two corporate owners in dispute (i.e. FI and CC) and IO (see para 1 & 143). But this case is much more than a simple case of 2 arguing owners (bothnot being MC members) with IO deciding independently in one owner’s favour.

(5) Whether MC collectively “made its own judgment” to agree with one of two disputing owners “in discharge of its duties” as claimed by FI or only “sided with FI” “in breach of its duties” as it was under “practical control of FI and SG” as claimed by CC on Ground 1 and Ground 2 should, I think, be left to be determined at a later stage of the Summons.

(6) This Tribunal should not, one thinks, pre-judge the merits of the Summons when it was still at a preliminary stage of deciding admissibility of evidence of the Trial and the Trial Findings for the purpose of the Summons.

(7) Having considered all those relevant matters at para 63(1)-(11), it is, I think, perfectly open to this Tribunal to take the view that FI had a very close connection with these proceedings from its beginning to the conclusion of the Trial.

(8) Regarding para 1.1(i) of FI’s NOA, this Tribunal had nowhere in para 63(3) considered on Point 3 the conduct of SG (or Mok) as complained by FI. This Tribunal had merely quoted the affidavit evidence concerned in full at para 63(3). In assessing FI’s connection with these proceedings, the focus of this Tribunal at para 63(3) remains on Mao as MC member “mostly” handling MBIS Notice. In deciding this Admissibility Issue against FI, this Tribunal had only considered matters relating to FIand no more. FI had, I am afraid, misread the Decision in this respect.

54.  Para 3, para 4 (but exclusive of para 4.1, 4.3 and 4.4[38]) and para 4.2 of FI’s NOA are, I think, equally unmeritorious for the reasons below:

(1) The matters in para 64(1)-(13) complained of at para 3.1 to 3.4 of FI’s NOA are also plainly relevant matter in the context of the Summons for this Tribunal to consider to see if FI, if it be bound by the evidence of the Trial and the Trial Findings, suffers any alleged injustice or unfairness now (but not earlier) complained by it.

(2) As the case law stood in 2019 (indeed also until today), it was not a blanket rule against admissibility of trial evidence and trial findings. The Admissibility Exception remains (as FI now at last accepts) even after FI drops out of these proceedings after a successful strike-out for CC having no locus to sue it directly under BMO.

(3) By filing its NOO and Mao’s W/S through its solicitors to defend CC’s claim prior to its successful strike-out, and with IO raising in its NOO filed by the same solicitor firm the same 3 defences to CC’s claim related to FI one way or another (i.e. the 2012 Order, the 2013 LT Proceedings and the Settlement Agreement) as FI itself did, FI knew full well in 2019 that:

(i) the subject matter in dispute in, or the underlying cause of, these proceedings is Subject UBWs erected by FI itself;

(ii) the issues to be resolved (and the findings to be made) on CC’s NOA at any future trial (even solely between CC and IO if FI succeeds in its strike-out) will definitely involve FI over, inter alia, the history and status of Subject UBWs, FI’s same 3 defence to CC’s claim, FI’s alleged breaches of BMO, BO and the DMC, and IO’s future enforcement against FI over Subject UBWs; and

(iii) there is a possibility that IO may be compelled after trial by an order of court to take enforcement proceedings against FI itself over Subject UBWs i.e. CC’s claim against FI itself may not end for ever even after its successful strike-out.

(4) FI certainly had a choice itself to decide with its then legal representative whether to apply or not to 1) strike out CC’s claim for lack of locus or 2) join as a third party after its successful strike-out. It is just and fair that FI be bound by consequences of its own choices made with legal representation.

(5) This is, as was made clear at para 64(8) & (11), especially the case when CC’s solicitors had written to FI in November 2022 and March 2023 reminding FI of CC’s allegations against IO and FI (inclusive of false allegations in Mao’s W/S), and supplying FI with Amended NOA (footnote 96) and Amended Reply (footnote 93) to enlighten FI of CC’s amended case to be run at the Trial, and possible findings to be made at the Trial.

(6) Even if FI had elected for the above 1st choice and against the above 2nd choice at (4) above, FI clearly then had the motive/interest explained at (2) & (3) above, the evidence (e.g. the Certificate of Completion), the witness (e.g. Mao, if not PIL), the information (e.g. from occupants of Flats 9B and 9A on access route to 9/F Lift Lobby, if not other grounds against IO’s enforcement proceedings that FI now asserts against CC on the Summons), the ability and the chance (and FI had clearly made use of such chance and some of these materials, if supporting the Two MC Resolutions is not included) to change (or, at least, attempting to change) the result of the Trial, including the Trial Findings to be made therein and any resultant enforcement proceedings that IO may be forced to bring against FI.

(7) FI cannot equally, one thinks, now complains of alleged unfairness or injustice in our context when it could have done or supplied more to affect the result of the Trial and the Trial Findings but had not done so before the Trial concluded.

(8) Well aware of the evidence adduced at the Trial and the Trial Findings as the trial judge and well aware that the determination of the Summon is a summary procedure (para 52), this Tribunal cannot, I think, be faulted for reasons given at para 63 & 64 for coming to the view that FI now suffers no injustice or unfairness if such evidence and findings be admitted against FI for the purpose of the Summons.

(9) Though the Summons is summary in nature, it should be stressed that, by its two-stage procedure, its first stage serves to “filter” away unfounded application amounting to abuse of process[39] and, importantly, its second stage gives FI a reasonable opportunity to be heard: see O.62, r.6A(1) of Rules of High Court[40].

55.  I now move to heading (a) in Section D2 of FI’s Leave Submissions entitled “misdirection in law (NOA§4)” and para 23 to 25 of them.

56.  Nowhere in FI’s NOA (including para 4 thereof) did FI complain that this Tribunal had committed any alleged “misdirection in law” by reference to 1) [14] of Big Island case, 2) Barndeal case or 3) Chung Wah Steel case.

57.  For reasons given at Section C5 above, the said alleged “misdirection in law” now claimed by FI in FI’s Leave Submissions is a new point not taken before this Tribunal at the 2nd stage of the Summons and not found in FI’s NOA.

58.  It is accordingly up to the Court of Appeal to decide whether to allow FI to take this new point on appeal when FI has acted contrary to principle at [39] above.

59.  Were the Court of Appeal minded to do so, I do not think this new point meritorious either for the following reasons:

(1) [14] of Big Island case does not, I think, expressly on its terms “qualify” [13] of Big Island case on the “close connection” test of the Admissibility Issue (nor did, I think, Au-Yeung J. so intended) as submitted by FI at para 23.1 of FI’s Leave Submissions[41].

(2) [13] and [14] of Big Island case each has, I note, different authorities in support, and no repetition of authority between the two.

(3) Reading Big Island case[42], Barndeal case[43] and Chung Wah Steel case[44] in their proper context, [14] of Big Island case deals in fact, I think, with the different issue of evidential difficulty an applicant advancing serious allegations to seek a non-party costs order faces in its summary procedure when such allegations had not previously been put to the said non-party, as was stressed by the crucial words “the court can only act on evidence” found at [19] of Barndeal case and also [13] of Chung Wah Steel case.

(4) Indeed, as Section D of Big Island case shows, evidence and findings at trial admitted under the “close connection” test enabled Au-Yeung J. to make a non-party costs order against Mr Lee in that case (and her ladyship did not find the summary procedure an obstacle for her doing so notwithstanding Mr Lee’s incredible bareassertions and procedural objections made on his behalf).

(5) [14] of Big Island case has thus, I think, nothing to do with the Admissibility Issue against FI at Point 3 as claimed by FI.

(6) After the evidence of the Trial and the Trial Findings have been ruledadmissibleagainst FI on Point 3, whether CC manages to prove at a later stage Ground 1 to Ground 3 against FI when FI (and Mao) had elected not to participate in the Trial such that CC could not have put its case to FI(and Mao) at the Trial is, I think, altogether a different issue to be considered on the specific points concerned below: see footnote [39] above.

(7) Were [14] of Big Island case really intended to “qualify” [13] thereof (and touch upon the Admissibility Issue against FI at Point 3) as FI submitted, in the circumstances of this tripartite building management dispute where CC had no direct right to sue FI (but had to pursue FI indirectly through IO) and that FI itself had elected to apply to strike out CC’s claim to avoid being a party at the Trial, it is, I think, still open to this Tribunal for reasons at para 63 and 64 to conclude that FI does not suffer alleged injustice or unfairness from being bound by the evidence of the Trial and the Trial Findings.

60.  For the above reasons, this Tribunal is entitled to rule against FI on Point 3 as it did at para 65 and FI has failed to show any alleged error of law on the Admissibility Issue against it.

H3. Intended appeal of FI against Points 5 & 6

61.  Contrary to para 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 of FI’s NOA, the matters in para 67(1)-(3) & (5), 70(1)-(5) and 71 are, I think, plainly relevant to consideration of Point 5 i.e. whether FI had “caused” these proceeding to begin and continue, and whether FI had enjoyed “continuing benefit” from erecting, and keeping, Subject UBWs.

62.  And, contrary to para 5.4 & 5.5 of FI’s NOA, it is, I think, perfectly open to this Tribunal for the reasons and evidence given at para 72(1)-(7) and 73(1)-(4) to find as it held at para 72 and para 73 respectively that IO’s stance in defending these proceedings was dictated by the “real or perceived benefit” to FI and that IO “has been suffering” from divers “detriments” from the preservation of the status quo. The so-called “fact” in para 5.5 of FI’s NOA that FI criticized this Tribunal for failing to have “any or sufficient regard” is, I think, contrary to MMH having control of MC in the respective interests of SG and FI as was found by this Tribunal at Point 7.

63.  The Trial Findings, rebuttal made by this Tribunal at para 74(1) to (8) against contrary submissions advanced by FI at its skeleton submissions lodged for the Hearing and against Mao’s attempts at para 24 to 35 of Mao’s 2nd Affirmation to re-open the Trial Findings do allow this Tribunal to conclude that IO had no arguable ground to defend these proceedings as per para 74 & 75. It was also supported by the defeat of IO after the Trial.

64.  In response to para 5.6 of FI’s NOA, This Tribunal never held that IO (or MC) knew that IO had no arguable defence. As para 86(9) makes clear, MC did not even bother to obtain independent legal advice, nordiscuss the merits, of defending these proceedings before or at concerned MC meetings making these important decisions.

65.  That IO was aware that it could join FI as third party after judgment of CACV 96/2021 was handed down and after CC’s solicitors’ 2 letters to it in November 2022 and March 2023 (para 77) is plainly relevant to whether defending these proceedings alone to benefitFI was in IO’s interest ornot in IO’s interest (see para 75 & 76). As this Tribunal found for reasons and evidence stated at Section K of the Decision, FI and SG had effectively controlled MC over, inter alia, IO’s handling of these proceedings such that IO did not join FI as a third party to these proceedings (para 79).

66.  Para 5.7 of FI’s NOA is thus not tenable at all.

67.  As regard para 74(3)-(4) that FI criticized at para 4.1 and 4.3 of FI’s NOA against Points 5 and 6 in substance, FI’s complaint therein was, I think, totally unfounded for reasons below.

(1) Save for those necessary for resolving CC’s case in Amended NOA against IO, including costs between them, this Tribunal was at pains to avoid making adverse findings in the Trial Judgment against persons other than CC, IO (or MC) or witnesses called by CC and IO at the Trial (see para 29 of Trial Judgment);

(2) This Tribunal therefore made no adverse finding in the Trial Judgment against FI or Mao personally (save except against Mao acting as MC member on behalf of IO/MC);

(3) Admitting evidence of the Trial and the Trial Findings into the Summons as admissibleevidence against FI and SG after ruling on the Admissibility Issue, in considering Ground 1 to Ground 4 CC put forward against FI and Mao, this Tribunal had no choice but to consider, decide and, if required, make findings on the Summons, including making fresh findings for the first time against FI and Mao personally, on the Totality of Evidence while bearing in mind that the Summons is one of summary procedure.

(4) There is, I would point out, plenty of evidence admissible on the Summons and referred to at various parts of the Decision[45], including oral evidence (or factual admissions) from Mok, oral evidence of Ng, letters of confirmation from BA, expert evidence given by experts called by CC and IO at the Trial, and further affidavit evidence filed by parties on the Summons that allows this Tribunal at its 2nd stage to infer and find for the first time, inter alia, that Mao (or FI)knew of the falsity of 1) the Certificate of Completion sourced from Mao’s W/S that was verified by his statement of truth and 2) the explanations for MC passing the 2019 MC Resolution given in the 2019 Statement that he signed as a MC member.

68.  Lastly, in response to para 1.1(ii) of FI’s NOA, the focus of para 72(1)-(2) was on these proceedings to FI’s benefit while the focus of para 74(1)-(2) was on IO having no arguable defence to them. For para 76-79, the focus was of defending these proceedings (especially defending alone) not in IO’s interest. And the focus of para 67(5) was on FI “causing” these proceeding by FI and SG controlling[46] MC’s conduct of these proceedings and compliance of MBIS Notice. Such focuses were, I think, correct and proper on the opposing contentions of CC and FI on Points 5 and 6.

69.  Hence, all FI’s complaints against findings of facts made by this Tribunal at Points 5 and 6 are unsustainable.

H4. Intended appeal of FI & SG against Point 7

70.  I start with para 2 of SG’s NOA, which, I think, is untenable and in breach of principle at [39] above.

71.  CC had not expressly asserted “conspiracy” between FI and SG at Ground 2. SG’s complaint of no evidence of conspiracy at para 2(b)(iii) of SG’s NOA is thus, I think, neither here nor there. What matters is whether there is evidence to prove practical control over MC by FI and SG and the answer is positive.

72.  This Tribunal has considered (and has given such weight as it sees fit to) all such matters SG complained at para 2(b)(i)[47] & (ii), para 2(c)(i)-(iv)[48] of SG’s NOA.

73.  Such matters in para 85 and 86 that SG complained to be “irrelevant” or “contradictory” to Point 7 at para 2(d)(i)-(iv) and para 2(e)(i) & (ii) of SG’s NOA are, I think, plainly relevant and materialcircumstantialevidences to be considered as a whole (and not to be considered in isolation each as SG submitted) by this Tribunal to reach conclusion, if any, on the Totality of Evidence on whether SG and FI had, in the respective interests of SG and FI, effectively exercised control over MC over the 3 related and inter-connected subject matters of 1) Subject UBWs, 2) MBIS Notice, and 3) these proceedings, for the respective benefits of SG and FI.

74.  On the Totality of Evidence, including matters highlighted at para 85 and 86, contrary to para 2(f) of SG’s NOA, it is, I think, perfectly open to this Tribunal to draw the inference (and make its finding) at para 87 as per Point 7.

75.  I now turn to para 6 to 10 of FI’s NOA, which are, I think, equally untenable and in breach of principle at [39] above.

76.  The matters FI complained about at para 7, 8, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 and 10.5 of FI’s NOA are, I think, all plainly relevant and materialcircumstantial evidence to be considered by this Tribunal as a whole to decide if CC manages to make good its Ground 2 on the Totality of Evidence.

77.  CC had not expressly asserted at Ground 2 “collusion” between FI and SG or that their control over MC was “fraudulent” or “unlawfully obtained”. FI’s complaint at para 1.2 of FI’s NOA of no such evidence or finding in the Decision to that effect is, I think, also neither here nor there. I repeat last sentence of [70] above herein.

78.  This Tribunal has, I would point out, never lost sight in the Decision of attending MC members, including so-called “independent” members other than MMH, making unanimous decisions and resolutions by so-called “consensus” on the 3 related subject matters at Ground 2 (see para 81, 82, 84 & 86).

79.  But the undeniable fact is that there was no evidence from these other attending MC members explainingwhy they, without the benefit of independent legal advice, saw fit to join MMH in decisions and resolutions that were not in IO’s interest and were in breach of IO’s duties as found by this Tribunal (and there was no evidence to show that such other MC members had been approached to explain on oath, or that they were unwilling to explain on oath).

80.  As to FI’s complaint of alleged error of “approach” made by this Tribunal at para 1 & 1.1(iii) of FI’s NOA, as CC asserted SG and FI controlling (and not FI alone controlling) MC as part of Ground 2 (and repeated as part of Ground 1), it is, I think, necessary and absolutely right and proper for this Tribunal to consider conducts of SG and FI conjunctively on theTotality of Evidence to decide if CC manages to make out such control of SG and FI over MC on Ground 2 (and on Ground 1) or not.

81.  FI, as CC had rightly pointed out, produced no authority to support its submissions that this Tribunal had erred at law in its above “approach" in assessing the admissible evidence to resolve the above issue of alleged control by SG and FI over MC.

82.  [20] of Dymocks case cited by FI at para 8.1 of FI’s Reply Submissions suggests, I think, no more than that a casual link is required to exist between costs sought to be recovered and non-party’s involvement with the proceedings. It gives no clue on the issue of “approach” in assessing the admissible evidence raised by FI for the first time at para 1 of FI’s NOA.

83.  As far as the memory of this Tribunal goes, FI’s counsels never at the 2nd stage of the Summons addressed this Tribunal on any “approach” in considering the evidence, save except on the Admissibility Issue as against FI. This is also a new point raised by FI on FI’s Application.

84.  On the findings of this Tribunal on the Summons, as SG and FI had effectively controlled MC as per Point 7, both had, I think, caused CC to have incurred costs to prosecute these proceedings against IO to the end (see para 148).

85.  Lastly, FI’s criticism of para 85(1), 85(11)-(25), 86(1), 86(3) & 86(7) at para 4.1 of FI’s NOA and of para 85(11) & 86(7) at para 4.3 of FI’s NOA are, this Tribunal must point out, incorrect and/or based on misreading of those paragraphs of the Decision. In so far as it is necessary, this Tribunal repeats [66] above herein.

86.  Accordingly, this Tribunal cannot, I think, be faulted to have arrived at the factual conclusion that SG and FI had effectively controlled MC as per Point 7 in line with Ground 2 (and Ground 1).

H5. Intended appeal of SG against Points 8 & 9

87.  This was put forward by SG as para 3 of SG’s NOA and related submissions are found at Section E of SG’s Leave Submissions and Section E of SG’s Reply Submissions.

88.  Para 3 of SG’s NOA is, I think, also unsustainable for the following reasons:

(1) [15] of Big Island referred to at para 28(2) of SG’s Leave Submissions had been cited by SG at para 9 of its skeleton submissions lodged for the Hearing and had thus already beenconsidered by this Tribunal at para 52.

(2) But, the Totality of Evidence (inclusive of Mok’s own admissions in the box at the Trial) points, one thinks, strongly towards Mok having the said “motive” (動機) of “exonerating” himself and FI (or Mao) and having obtained the intangible and indirect benefit of “maintaining” his own reputation as MC Chairman and his friendship with Mao until the Trial.

(3) Mok had been cross-examined at the Trial regarding 1) his friendship with Mao[49]; 2) FI’s past conducts over Subject UBWs and Mao’s handling of MBIS Notice[50]; 3) his past own conducts as MC Chairman over the same[51]. That Mok has served as MC Chairman for as long as 14 years until the Trial was also not in issue at the Trial[52]. There is thus no shortage of evidence at the Trial proving the above motive of Mok and benefit enjoyed by him.

(4) It is, I think, perfectly open to this Tribunal on the evidence of the Trial to have found at [133(3)] of the Trial Judgment of Mok having the above “motive” at the material time.

(5) At para 10 & 33 of Ng’s 2nd Affirmation, CC had relied on the said “motive” of Mok found at [133(3)] of the Trial Judgment in its case against SG on the Summons. In response to CC’s allegation of such “motive” on his part, Mok in Mok’s Affirmation only saw fit:

(i) to admit again that he had “offered himself as candidate” for MC Chairmanship and was “elected unopposed” in the last 3 elections in 2018, 2020 and 2022[53];

(ii) to deny having the above “motive” attributed to him at [133(3)] of the Trial Judgment (and added that, in any event, SG should not be responsible for that);

(iii) to say that he decidednot to repeat details of IO’s cases of the 2013 LT Proceedings, the Settlement Agreement and BA 2014 Letter rejected after the Trial, but to point out they were “consensus of MC as a whole all the times”[54], that he had “relied onassertions of FIregarding its remedial work” (i.e. PIL’s installation of the Glass Door) and that he had allegedly “misunderstood” BA 2014 Letter[55].

(6) Mok (or SG) had, one thinks, every opportunity at the 2nd stage of the Summons (if not at the Trial when Mok was cross-examined) to meet CC’s case against SG at Point 8.

(7) Against the above background of strong admissible evidence on the Summons, Mok’s feeble denial and his incredible explanations in Mok’s Affirmation above, notwithstanding the summary nature of the Summons that this Tribunal was well aware, this Tribunal cannot, I think, be faulted to have found in the Decision of Mok having enjoyed until the Trial the benefit of maintaining his friendship with Mao and his own reputation as MC Chairman at para 90 and that there was nothing unfair or improper for this Tribunal doing so.

89.  In so far SG relies on the same submissions it made on the Attribution Issue in its intended appeal against Point 8, I repeat my views in section H1 above (including that of Mok being “directing mind and will” of SG if required).

90.  It should be noted that nowhere in its Leave Submissions (or in para 3 of SG’s NOA) did SG contend that this Tribunal had erred at law in relying on the two cases at para 91[56] to conclude that Mok’s intangible and indirect benefit above could be considered as “benefit” for the purpose of making a non-party costs order.

91.  As such, it is, I think, futile and hopeless for SG to repeat its failed submissions against Point 8 in breach of principle at [39] above.

92.  Given that this Tribunal had found SG’s intended appeal against Point 7 unarguable, SG’s intended appeal against Point 9 resting solely on that falls away, I think, as well.

H6. Intended appeal of FI and SG against Point 10

93.  This intended appeal by way of para 4 of SG’s NOA depends on the merits of para 1 to 3 of SG’s NOA. As this Tribunal has found para 1 to 3 of SG’s NOA having no merit above, para 4 of SG’s NOA is, I think, also without merit.

94.  Moving to para 11 of FI’s NOA which rests on para 1 to 10 of FI’s NOA, many complaints mounted by FI at para 1 to 10 of FI’s NOA have been dealt with above and will not be addressed again here. The remainders are in fact related to Ground 3 (or Point 12) against FI and their treatment will soon follow below.

95.  Regarding para 1.1(iv) of FI’s NOA, I repeat [79]-[83] above herein in answer thereto. As CC rightly stressed, on the law stated at para 42, FI need not be the only real party to this litigation. As such, there is nothing improper or wrong for this Tribunal to approach the conducts of FI and SG conjunctively at para 94, and it is open to this Tribunal to conclude that FI is a real party to this litigation (and SG is alsoa real party to this litigation) as per Point 10.

96.  FI (and SG)’s intended appeal against Point 10 is thus, I conclude, bound to fail.

H7. Intended appeal of FI against Point 12

97.  I refer to para 12, 12.1 and 12.2 of FI’s NOA, and para 4.1 (confined to complaint against para 105, 107-111), para 4.3 (confined to complaint against para 105, 108 & 109) and para 4.4 (confined to complaint against para 107) of FI’s NOA.

98.  Para 12 of FI’s NOA is general and un-particularized. Para 12.1 of FI’s NOA repeats FI’s failed challenge to the Admissibility Issue above by way of para 2 & 3 of FI’s NOA. The rest of para 12.1 and the entire para 12.2 of FI’s NOA are repetition of FI’s complaint against Point 12 at para 4 of FI’s NOA.

99.  It is, I think, no use for FI to repeat at para 27.3 of FI’s Leave Submissions that Mao’s W/S was not evidence adopted by Mao on oath as IO’s witness at the Trial. That was already taken on board by this Tribunal at para 97.

100.  The crux for Ground 3 against FI, as per para 100 & 112, is whether FI was guilty of impropriety in this litigation that caused CC to incur unnecessary costs to prosecute the Trial to its end.

101.  In FI’s Leave Submissions, FI did not deny (nor could, I think, FI deny) that it had, through its same solicitors with IO, filed Mao’s W/S to defend CC’s claim while it was 3rd respondent to this litigation and that its contents (and its exhibit including Certificate of Completion purportedly filed by PIL on its behalf to BA) became part of IO’s evidence at the Trial of this litigation (as they were adopted by Mok on oath and produced by IO at the Trial).

102.  I repeat herein the different ways or manners this Tribunal had to approach the evidence admissible at the Trial to prepare the Trial Judgment (and the Totality of Evidence admissible on the Summons to prepare the Decision) stated at [66] above. The state of evidence as at the end of the Trial and as at the end of the 2nd stage of the Summons are thus different.

103.  The criticisms of FI against this Tribunal made at para 4.1 and 4.3 of FI’s NOA against para 105, 107, 108, 109, 110 & 111 (and made at para 27.1 and 27.2 of FI’s Leave Submissions) are, I would point out, incorrect and/or based on FI’s misreading of these paragraphs of the Decision.

104.  Looking at Sections C2 and C4 above, Mao (or FI) had full and plenty opportunity to answer Ground 3 by giving whatever evidence he liked and producing whatever documents he liked on the Summons.

105.  Mao (or FI) did so and assisted by FI’s lawyers.

106.  Indeed, contrary to para 4.4 of FI’s NOA, Mao (or FI) did try to re-open the Trial Findings on the Direct Access being the sole access from Flat 9B to 9/F Lift Lobby (as Mok admitted at the Trial) to argue that IO had an arguable defence to these proceedings.

107.  If Mao (or FI) elected (as observed in para 107) not to deal with particular CC’s allegations like para 103-105 on Ground 3 contained in Ng’s 2nd Affirmation quoting the evidence of the Trial and the Trial Findings despite previous reminder letter from CC’s solicitors to it in March 2023, FI had, one thinks, only itself to blame for the consequences that flow from its own choice.

108.  Notwithstanding that the Summons is summary in nature, this Tribunal is, I think, not obliged at law to accept whatever Mao claimed in Mao’s 2nd Affirmation at its face value and abandon critical analysis of his assertions against the Totality of Evidence, including contemporaneous documents and third party documents from BA, and expert evidence given by experts of IO and CC on simplified procedures under BO and BA’s practice of dealing with UBWs as part of IO’s duties of complying with MBIS Notice.

109.  For the above reasons, contrary to para 27.3 of FI’s Leave Submissions and para 12.1 & 12.2 of FI’s NOA, this Tribunal is, I think, perfectly entitled to find, for the first time at para 105, that Maoknew of the falsity of the two material statements in Mao’s W/S referred to at para 103 and their likelihood of interfering the future course of justice of this litigation at the time when he verified them by his statement of truth for then 3rd respondent (i.e. FI) in this litigation.

110.  Accordingly, FI’s intended appeal against Point 12 is, I think, also unarguable and doomed to fail.

H8. Intended appeal of SG against Point 13

111.  I refer to para 5 of SG’s NOA (and Section G of SG’s Leave Submissions). This complaint stands or falls with SG’s complaint on the Attribution Issue. For my views on the Attribution Issue, this intended appeal is, I think, also without substance.

H9. Intended appeal of FI & SG against Point 17

112.  I refer to para 1.3 of FI’s NOA regarding para 143 and 144.

113.  The above complaint is, I think, mere repetition in breach of principle [39] above of FI’s failed and simplistic submissions at the 2nd stage of the Summons that this Tribunal must have regard to the context of this tripartite building management dispute between 2 arguing owners and IO, whose independent decision in discharge of its duties must side with one of the 2 owners.

114.  FI had, I agree with CC, simply ignored para 144 where this Tribunal had pointed out the true and complete picture on the findings in the Decision is that IO had sided with FI (or, more correctly, had condonedFI’s breaches of the DMC, BMO and BO) over Subject UBWs to benefitFI in deliberate breach of IO’s own duties as FIand SG had controlled MC over Subject UBWS, the handling of these proceedings and MBIS Notice.

115.  On the findings in the Decision, MC had not in discharge of IO’s duties made its own judgment in FI’s favour uninfluenced by FI.

116.  I also refer to para 2(c)(iv) of SG’s NOA referring to protection given to MC members under former s.29A of BMO before it was amended on 13 July 2025.

117.  The short answer to SG’s complaint here, as was made clear at para 146, is that such protection is not absolute or unqualified. To avail of the above protection, an MC member must act in good faith and in a reasonable manner. SG’s AR to MC i.e. Mok never did as such over Subject UBWs and these proceedings.

118.  Hence, the above complaints of FI and SG against Point 17 are also, I think, bound to fail.

H10. Intended appeal of FI against Point 20

119.  I refer to para 13 of FI’s NOA, inclusive of para 13.1 to 13.3 thereof. This complaint is also, I think, misconceived for the following reasons:

(1) For reasons stated above, FI’s challenges to the Decision by way of para 1 to 12 of FI’s NOA had no substance at all.

(2) The matters in para 13.2 and 13.3 of FI’s NOA had already, I think, been considered by this Tribunal to arrive at its conclusion at Point 15 in FI’s favour i.e. Ground 4 alone is insufficient to warrant exercising s.12(2) of LTO. In other words, the fact of CC (a corporate owner) pursuing an impecunious IO in litigation is notby itself in the interests of justice to warrant a non-party costs order against FI.

(3) However, the crux of Ground 4 is rather costs injustice to CC i.e. CC, as corporate owner, had to contribute towards its own costs (and not the other way round) when it pursued impecunious IO successfully for the common good but was forced by FI to incur great costs to prosecute this litigation when FI and SG as real parties had controlled IO and caused IO to defend it for their respective benefits by running false defence and adducing false evidence.

(4) As such, it is, I think, proper and necessary for this Tribunal to consider “impecuniosity of IO” as one relevant background fact to assess if CC suffers any costs injustice as it claimed after making out Ground 1 to Ground 3 against FI.

120.  This intended appeal of FI against Point 20 is therefore, I think, not arguable either.

I. Intended appeals by FI and SG having no reasonable prospect of success

121.  In view of my conclusions given at Section H above, the respective appeals by FI and SG against the Costs Order vs R4 and the Costs Order vs R5 have, I think, no reasonable prospect of success on appeal.

122.  It is worth especially pointing out that both FI and SG did not challenge Point 18. Had I erred at law on any point per Ground 1 and/or Ground 2 as alleged, Ground 3 alone made out against FI and SG still suffices to warrant this Tribunal making the Costs Order vs R4 and the Costs Order vs R5 against FI and SG respectively in the interests of justice.

123.  Hence, both FI and SG fail to satisfy this Tribunal of the first limb at s.11AA(6)(a) of LTO.

J. No other reason in the interests of justice to allow FI or SG pursuing their intended appeals

124.  As said above, both SG and FI in addition rely on the 2nd limb at s.11AA(6)(b) of LTO.

125.  SG submitted at Section H of SG’s Leave Submissions that the Court of Appeal had not previously had the opportunity to address:

(1) a building management case in which non-party costs order has been made personally against a MC member purporting to act on behalf of an owners’ corporation notwithstanding protection given to MC member under s.29A of BMO; and

(2) the question whether the conduct of an AR appointed by a corporate MC member under para 11(1) of Schedule 2 of BMO to serve in MC should be attributed to the corporate owner for the purpose of non-party costs order application.

Leave to appeal, said SG, ought to be granted so that the Court of Appeal could give guidance on the above two points of law of general principle and/or importance to the public advantage.

126.  At para 31 of FI’s Leave Submissions, FI also submitted that questions of principle arising on the facts of this case in the context of building management (in particular those contentions raised at para 1 to 4 of FI’s NOA) are important and of wide implication. They have so far not been addressed locally and are worthy of consideration by the Court of Appeal to the public advantage.

127.  I am, however, not persuaded by the above submissions of SG and FI for the following reasons.

(1) The dearth of first instance decisions of non-party costs order in the context of building management dispute (only two Lands Tribunal decisions on s.12(2) of LTO were found by CC[57]) reinforces the impression, and experience, of this Tribunal that rarely was non-party costs order sought in building management disputes.

(2) It is therefore questionable whether guidance, if any, to be given by the Court of Appeal on appeal from this case is of any importance to the public advantage.

(3) In any event, considering the number of authorities cited by counsels to this Tribunal at the 2nd stage of the Summons, the number of common law jurisdictions, and the various levels of courts, they come from, guidance, including appellate guidance, on principles on making of non-party costs order is not lacking.

(4) As Lord Brown pointed out in Dymocks case (endorsed by Chu JA, as she then was, at [74] of local Edwin Leung case on appeal), the ultimate question is whether in all the circumstances it is just to make the non-party costs order (per s.12(2) of LTO), and this is inevitably to some extent a fact-specific jurisdiction and there will often be a number of different consideration in play (para 38 and 39).

(5) A non-party costs order involves an exercise of discretion. Limited assistance is likely to be gained from the citation of other first instance decisions. The reported cases could not provide a comprehensive checklist of factors that must be present in every case before the discretion can be exercised. What may be sufficient to justify the exercise of the discretion in one case should not be treated as necessary in a different case (para 49 and 50).

(6) This case is, I think, no exception to the useful reminders in (4) and (5) above.

(7) Considering FI’s NOA and SG’s NOA, the points against which FI and SG intended to appeal are in fact or substance mostly factual findings made by this Tribunal on the evidences of this case (e.g. Points 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12) and/or exercise of discretion by this Tribunal in the circumstances of this case (e.g. Points 3 and 20).

(8) On Point 3, FI now at last accepts the existence of the Admissibility Exception on Symphony case but dispute its application to the facts of this case. And, whether it is just and fair that a third party be bound by the evidence given at trial and the judge’s findings of facts in any given case depend on the nature and degree of his connection with the proceedings. Each case has to be considered on its own merits in order to ascertain whether the third party will suffer an injustice if he is held bound by the evidence and findings at trial (para 48).

(9) While Point 17 involves former (not current) s.29A of BMO that prevailed before 13 July 2025, its application to this case boils down to the factual issues whether MC Chairman Mok had acted in good faith or in a reasonable manner.

(10) While Point 1 involves the construction of certain paragraphs of Schedule 2 of BMO, it is, in my view, straightforward and simple. The determination of the Attribution Issue against SG in this case revolves more on general agency principles and factual evidence of SG granting full authority and discretion to Mok as its authorized agent/representative to MC.

(11) Accordingly, any decision by the Court of Appeal on appeal by FI and/or SG against one or two of the 2 Costs Orders, I agree with CC, would necessarily be case-specific and fact-dependent, offering limited precedential value or guidance for future building management cases, if any, where non-party costs order is sought.

(12) Lastly, FI’s complaint made for the first time in FI’s Leave Submissions of alleged “misdirection at law” made by this Tribunal is a “new” point not taken below and not contained in FI’s NOA. So is FI’s complaint of wrong “approach” adopted by this Tribunal complained at para 1 of FI’s NOA a “new” point. It is, I think, wholly unclear at this stage if these new points would be allowed by the Court of Appeal to be taken on appeal.

128.  FI and SG therefore also fail to satisfy this Tribunal of the 2nd limb at s.11AA(6)(b) of LTO.

K. Disposition

129.  On my conclusions at [123] and [128] above, I dismiss FI’s Application

130.  On the same two conclusions above, I also dismiss SG’s Application.

L. Costs Order Nisi

131.  At the moment, this Tribunal sees nothing to depart the general rule of costs following the event.

132.  I therefore make costs order nisi in FI’s Application that costs of the same be paid by FI to CC with certificate for 2 counsels, to be taxed on High Court scale if not agreed.

133.  And I make costs order nisi in SG’s Application that costs of the same be paid by SG to CC with certificate for 2 counsels, to be taxed on High Court scale if not agreed.

134.  Each of the above 2 costs orders nisi would become absolute if none of the two parties concerned makes application to vary within 14 days of this decision.

 (Lee Siu-ho)
 District Judge
 Presiding Officer
Lands Tribunal

Lawrence KF NG and Henry CHENG, instructed by C.W. Chan & Co., for the Applicant

Mike LUI SC and Cristian TSANG, instructed by Fred Kan & Co., for the 4th Respondent

Anson WONG Yu Yat and Jonathan IP, instructed by V. Hau & Chow, for the 5th Respondent



[1]   [2025] HKLdT 45

[2]   S.12(1) reads: “The costs of and incidental to all proceedings in the Tribunal are in the discretion of the Tribunal, and the Tribunal has full power to determine by whom and to what extent the costs are to be paid”. S.12(2) reads: “Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Tribunal may make an order awarding costs against a person who is not a party to the relevant proceedings, if the Tribunal is satisfied that it is in the interests of justice to do so (italics supplied)”. S.12(1) & (2) of LTO are not materially different from s.52A(1) & (2) of High Court Ordinance.

[3]   [2024] HKLdT 66

[4]   on indemnity basis and to be taxed at High Court scale together with certificate of two counsels for the Trial

[5]   para 9(1) of Ng’s 2nd Affirmation

[6]   para 9(2) of Ng’s 2nd Affirmation

[7]   para 14(3)-(4), 24-26 of Ng’s 2nd Affirmation

[8]   para 27 of Ng’s 2nd Affirmation

[9]   para 9(3) of Ng’s 2nd Affirmation

[10]   para 10, 15 & 16(4) of Ng’s 2nd Affirmation

[11]   para 16(1) & (5) of Ng’s 2nd Affirmation

[12]   para 16(6) & (7) of Ng’s 2nd Affirmation

[13]   para 17(4) of Ng’s 2nd Affirmation

[14]   para 11 of Ng’s 2nd Affirmation

[15]   para 22 of Mao’s 2nd Affirmation

[16]   para 23.5 of Mao’s 2nd Affirmation

[17]   para 23.6 of Mao’s 2nd Affirmation

[18]   para 25 of Mao’s 2nd Affirmation

[19]   para 25 & 25.1 of Mao’s 2nd Affirmation

[20]   para 27 of Mao’s 2nd Affirmation

[21]   para 29-35 of Mao’s 2nd Affirmation

[22]   para 28 of Mao’s 2nd Affirmation

[23]   193G not cited in fact

[24]   [2005] EWHC 1377, Newman J.

[25]   unreported, DCCJ 4763/2011, 21 January 2014, HHJ Wilson Chan (as he then was)

[26]   including SG’s submission that the dispute with 4B UBW had already been settled before the commencement of these proceedings: see last 3 lines of para 85, 85(3), 85(5), 85(6), 85(7), 85(10)

[27]   It does not matter that SG does not enjoy any tangible benefit arising directly from retention of Subject UBWs, or arising directly from resolution of these proceedings: para 89

[28]   S.29A(1) of BMO was raised by this Tribunal on its own motion in the Decision. It was nowhere found in parties’ authorities or submissions. Prior to 13 July 2025, it reads: “No member of a [MC], acting in good faith and in a reasonable manner, shall be personally liable for any act done or default made by or on behalf of the corporation —(a) in the exercise or purported exercise of the powers conferred by this Ordinance on the corporation; or (b) in the performance or purported performance of the duties imposed by this Ordinance on the corporation (italics supplied)”

[29]   (2004) 7 HKCFAR 275

[30]   [2024] 4 HKLRD 414

[31]   [2009] 4 HKLRD 125

[32]   [2025] HKCA 685

[33]   [2022] 2 HKLRD 845

[34]   [2024] HKCA 331

[35]   See para 57(1) for para 5(2)(a) of Schedule 2 of BMO, and [30] of IO of Century Industrial Centre at para 57(2), which authority SG nowhere replied in SG’s Leave Submissions nor SG’s Reply Submissions.

[36]   猶如 in Chinese

[37]   Para 21 thereof is repetition of para 30.1 to 30.4 of FI’s skeleton submissions for the 2nd stage of the Summons. They have been summarized at para 60.

[38]   Para 4.1, 4.3 and 4.4 of FI’s NOA do not touch upon the Admissibility Issue but were directed against the different complaint of alleged erroneous treatment by this Tribunal of evidence of the Trial and the Trial Findings on Points 5, 7 and 12 at a later stage after they were ruledadmissible on the determination of the Summons. For this reason, this Tribunal will deal with them below as and when FI’s complaints against Points 5, 7 and 12 come to be considered.

[39]   Sun Focus Investment Ltd v Tang Shing Bor [2012] 5 HKLRD 853 [8-19] & [23-24]

[40]   It reads: “Where the Court is considering whether to exercise its power under section 52A …of the Ordinance to make a costs order … against a person who is not a party to the relevant proceedings— (a) that person must be joined as a party to the proceedings for the purposes of costs only; and (b) that person must be given a reasonable opportunity to attend a hearing at which the Court shall consider the matter further (italics supplied)”. Practice and procedure of High Court applies with modifications to Lands Tribunal: s.10(1) of LTO. By s.12(7) of LTO, O.62 of Rules of High Court applies, with the necessary modifications, to the award of costs at Lands Tribunal.

[41]   Neither was [13] of Big Island case derived from [22] of Barndeal case as submitted at para 17.1 of FI’s Reply Submissions

[42]   [6(1)] and Section D

[43]   [18-24] & [27]

[44]   [13], [22] & [31]

[45]   E.g. para 19-20, 22, 23, 64(8), 72(1), 72(8), 73(2), 74(1), 74(2), 85(1), 85(2), 85(11), 85(12), 85(13), 85(15), 85(18), 85(19), 85(24), 103-109 and references, if any, at their footnotes to evidence at the Trial and the Trial Findings set out in the Trial Judgment.

[46]   As shall be explained below, the approach in this paragraph was also in line with CC’s case against FI on Ground 2 (and repeated in Ground 1).

[47]   MC’s resolution authorizing Mdm Liu to sign Statement of Truth of IO’s NOO was made on the sameMC meeting that passed the 2019 MC Resolution and was recorded on the sameminute that recorded the 2019 MC Resolution. I do not think that it is obligatory for this Tribunal to recite in the Decision contents of each and every minute of MC meetings relied upon by SG (and by FI).

[48]   Point 7 is in substance a factual finding or conclusion. Whether Mok is protected at law by s.29A of BMO is a different matter under Point 17, not to mention that SG never raised s.29A of BMO at the 2nd stage of the Summons.

[49]   E.g. [133(3)] of the Trial Judgment

[50]   E.g. [75-77], [142], [144-146], [165], [170], [175], [198], [211-213] of the Trial Judgment

[51]   E.g.[59], [133(4)], [147-148], [209-210], [220] of the Trial Judgment

[52]   Para 10 i.e. since 2009

[53]   Para 8 of Mok’s Affirmation

[54]   Para 19-21 of Mok’s Affirmation

[55]   Para 27(1) of Mok’s Affirmation

[56]   The Creative Foundation v Dreamland Leisure Ltd & Ors [2016] 3 Costs LR 509, [8],[57-58]; Latimer Management Consultants Ltd & Ors v Ellingham Investments Ltd & Anor [2007] 1 WLR 2569, [52]

[57]   海景花園業主立案法團 訴 賴韻詞及另一人, unreported, LDBM 209/2013, 24 January 2014, citing 海禧華庭業主立案法團 訴 張志偉及其他 [2010] HKCU 2848

[2025] HKLdT 45-EN-2025-08-29

中紀投資有限公司 v. 青山道國際工業大廈業主立案法團 AND OTHERS

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LDBM 256/2018

[2025] HKLdT 45

IN THE LANDS TRIBUNAL OF THE

HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

BUILDING MANAGEMENT APPLICATION NO.256 OF 2018

__________________

BETWEEN

 中紀投資有限公司Applicant
 and 
 青山道國際工業大廈業主立案法團1st Respondent
 置佳物業服務有限公司2nd Respondent
  (Discontinued)
 海上樂園有限公司3rd Respondent
  (Struck Out)
 海上樂園有限公司4th Respondent
 群星貿易有限公司5th Respondent

_________________

Before:His Honour Judge S. H. Lee, Presiding Officer of the Lands Tribunal, in Court
Date of Hearing:28 April 2025
Date of Decision:29 August 2025

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D E C I S I O N

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A.  Introduction

1.  This is a contested non-party costs application made in the context of a building management dispute. It arose after an owners’ corporation was held after trial, by this Tribunal, to have deliberately failed to enforce provisions of deed of mutual covenant (the DMC) of the subject building (the Building) and provisions of Building Management Ordinance (BMO)[1] against an owner of the Building in total disregard of its duties under the DMC and BMO.

2.  After a 6-day trial between the Applicant company[2] (CC) and the 1st Respondent owners’ corporation[3] (IO) held from September 2023 to February 2024 (the Trial), CC prevailed and obtained its relief and was awarded costs of these proceedings on indemnity basis at High Court scale against IO[4] in a judgment written in Chinese handed down by this Tribunal on 7 August 2024 (the Trial Judgment)[5].

3.  On 21 August 2024, CC took out the subject summons (the Summons) seeking costs of these proceedings from Fun Islands Incorporation Limited[6] (FI) and Star Group Trading Limited[7] (SG) pursuant to ss.12(1) and (2) of Lands Tribunal Ordinance (LTO) [8].

4.  S.12(2) of LTO provides that the Lands Tribunal may make an order awarding costs against a party who is not a party to the relevant proceedings if the Tribunal is satisfied that it is in the interests of justice to do so. FI and SG both opposed the Summons.

5.  By way of first stage of the Summons, this Tribunal in October 2024 ordered that FI and SG be joined as 4th Respondent and 5th Respondent respectively to these proceedings for costs purpose.

6.  At the hearing of the second stage of the Summons, FI and SG maintained their opposition and this is the reserved decision of this Tribunal after hearing two counsels each from CC, FI and SG. Counsels for CC, FI and SG have respectively cited a total of 29, 19 and 6 authorities in their respective lists of authorities. This Tribunal is grateful for all their oral and written submissions.

B.  Parties, andproceduralhistory, of theseproceedings

7.  The background of the parties to these proceedings, the history of these proceedings, and the key findings of this Tribunal in the Trial Judgment (Trial Findings)[9], are as follows.

8.  At all material times, CC, FI and SG were, and are, respectively corporate owners of Flats 2A & 2B, Flat 9B, Flat 4B of the Building (Flats 2AB, Flat 9B and Flat 4B respectively)[10].

9.  At all material times, CC was effectively controlled by its director, Mr Ng Hin Chung[11] (Ng), who effectively also controlled at the same time Conqueror Development Ltd (CDL)[12] which owned Flats 11A & 11B of the Building (Flats 11AB)[13].

10.  At all material times since 2009, SG had appointed a director and shareholder of SG i.e. Mr Mok Poon Kwong (Mok)[14] as its “authorized representative” (AR)[15] to act as member of the management committee of IO (MC). Mok thereby became and acted as the chairman of MC (MC Chairman) at all material times[16].

11.  At all material times, Mr Mao Yau Fong, a director and shareholder of FI (Mao)[17], was also shareholder and director of STL Company Ltd (STL)[18] and M&P International Company Ltd (M&P) [19], the respective corporate owners of Flat 9A (Flat 9A), and of Flats 12A & 12B (Flats 12AB), of the Building. At all material times since about 2015, Mao, as FI’s AR (and M&P’s AR) served as a MC member. Mao’s personal secretary, Madam Hung (Hung)[20], appointed as STL’s AR, also served as a MC member at all material times since about 2015[21].

12.  In December 2018, CC filed its Notice of Application (NOA) against IO as the 1st Respondent, the then manager of the Building (Top Property)[22] as the 2nd Respondent, and FI as the 3rd Respondent.

13.  A firm of solicitors thereafter represented both IO and FI. In May 2019, the same firm of solicitors filed FI’s Notice of Opposition (NOO) on the same day it filed IO’s NOO. In June 2019, the same firm filed Mao’s witness statement for FI on the same day it filed Mok’s witness statement for IO.

14.  In November 2019, CC discontinued these proceedings as against Top Property. In December 2019, on FI’s application, the Lands Tribunal struck out NOA (and dismissed CC’s claims) against FI on the ground that CC lacks locus standi to sue FI. IO thereafter became the sole respondent to these proceedings until this Tribunal joined FI and SG for purpose of costs.

15.  In November 2022, CC amended its NOA as against IO, and in May, June and August 2023 filed supplemental witness statements and expert evidence. IO in turn filed its Amended NOO settled by two counsels in January 2023, supplemental witness statements and expert evidence in May 2023.

16.  On 15 May 2023, these proceedings as against IO were set down for trial to begin on 18 September 2023. In mid-July 2023, IO filed notice to act in person. Mok thereafter appeared as IO’s AR[23] before this Tribunal, and conducted IO’s case, at, inter alia, pre-trial review held on 5 September 2023 and at the Trial. During the Trial, IO called Mok as its sole factual witness.

C.  Key Trial Findings in Trial Judgment

17.  In the Trial Judgment, this Tribunal first found that FI had, in about 2012, opened a hole on that side of the wall of the protected lobby adjoining Flat 9B (9/F Protected Lobby) [24] to make an opening at door B location (the Opening) [25]. In August/September 2013, FI further installed a glass door at the Opening (the Glass Door) [26].

18.  FI had maintained, this Tribunal found, up to the Trial the Opening and the Glass Door and used them as its direct access from Flat 9B (through the Glass Door at door B location, 9/F Protected Lobby and door A in turn) (the Direct Access) to 9/F lift lobby of the Building (9/F Lift Lobby). FI did not enjoy the Direct Access before it carried out these works[27].

19.  In coming to the above findings, this Tribunal rejected IO’s case that an order made against FI by the Building Authority (BA) in 2012 pursuant to s.24(1) of Buildings Ordinance (BO)[28] (2012 Order) was directed against door B (or any door at all). In fact, at the time of the making of the 2012 Order, there was no door at door B location; the 2012 Order was directed against the Opening only[29].

20.  This Tribunal also rejected IO’s case that the subject matter of proceedings commenced by IO in May 2013 at Lands Tribunal against FI (2013 LT Proceedings)[30], and of FI’s settlement agreement of the same reached with IO in June 2013 (the Settlement Agreement), was the Opening, or the Glass Door, at door B location. Their common subject matter was, in fact, door A adjoining 9/F Lift Lobby[31].

21.  Secondly, FI’s making of the Opening, and FI’s installation of the Glass Door, at door B location and FI’s subsequent retention of them up to the Trial were, this Tribunal held, unauthorized building works ((UBW); and the Opening and the Glass Door collectively SubjectUBWs[32]) carried out by FI in breach of s.14(1) of BO and its subsidiary regulations concerning fire-resistant structures and safe means of escape[33], various provisions of the DMC[34] and of BMO[35] (as the 9/F Protected Lobby, and its wall adjoining Flat 9B, are “common parts” of the Building[36]).

22.  In coming to the above holding, this Tribunal rejected IO’s case that FI, in installing the Glass Door at door B location in August/September 2013, had reported completion of such purported minor works by arranging Profitgo International Ltd (PIL)[37] to submit a certificate of completion of class III minor works under the “simplified requirements” (the Certificate of Completion) to BA pursuant to the provisions of Building (Minor Works) Regulation[38].

23.  This Tribunal also rejected IO’s case that FI had complied with the 2012 Order by “installing” the Glass Door at the Opening (which opening the 2012 Order expressly required FI’s “reinstatement”). The 2012 Order had therefore, this Tribunal held, never been discharged by BA; BA had merely suspended its enforcement in its letter to FI in 2014 (BA 2014 Letter). The Subject UBWs remained UBWs under BO and are liable to future enforcement by BA under Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme (MBIS) prescribed by BO[39].

24.  Except for s.34I(1)(a) of BMO which was not applicable, this Tribunal further rejected IO’s case that MC could have, by two resolutions passed at two MC meetings held on 10 June 2019 (2019 MC Resolution) and 11 April 2023 (2023 MC Resolution, collectively the two MC Resolutions), lawfully approved or ratified FI’s conversion of part of 9/F Protected Lobby to its private use. This Tribunal held that the the two MC resolutions could not, and did not, excuse IO’s breaches of BO and its subsidiary regulations, various DMC provisions and other BMO provisions[40].

25.  Thirdly, this Tribunal found that MC had condoned FI’s aforesaid breaches from about 2012 until the Trial[41]. In so doing, in total disregard of its statutory duties under s.18(1) of BMO and those of the DMC, IO had, this Tribunal held, deliberately not compiled with the requirements of a statutory notice issued by BA to it in July 2015 covering all common parts of the Building under MBIS (MBIS Notice), including that of reporting by inspection report submitted to BA UBWs discovered in inspections carried out by registered inspector (RI) appointed by IO[42].

26.  In arriving at findings above, the Tribunal rejected IO’s case that it had, since July 2015, actively sought to compile with the MBIS Notice. To the contrary, due to their having reported Subject UBWs, and other private UBWs, and recommended their removal in their inspection reports, IO had, this Tribunal found, dismissed its first RI by name of AHL Contract Management Ltd (AHL)[43] and demanded its second RI by name of Kwok, Hauser and Partners Ltd (K&H)[44] to withdraw its 2nd report from BA after submission. Moreover, IO, this Tribunal found, had threatened Top Property with legal action immediately after the latter had demanded FI to remove Subject UBWs[45].

27.  In the end, this Tribunal acceded to CC’s application and granted a mandatory order compelling IO to perform its duties under the DMC and BMO to enforce against FI provisions of the DMC and BMO to require FI’s removal of Subject UBWs and FI’s reinstatement of 9/F Protected Lobby, including, if necessary, by taking out legal proceedings against FI for the same[46].

28.  In so exercising its discretion, this Tribunal rejected IO’s last defence that CC did not come to the tribunal with “clean hands”[47] such that relief should be denied.

D.  Affidavit evidence for the Summons

29.  In support of the Summons, Ng on behalf of CC filed his 2nd affirmation on 2 October 2024 (Ng’s 2nd Affirmation).

30.  Mok on behalf of SG filed his affirmation on 4 December 2024 (Mok’s Affirmation), and Mao on behalf of FI filed his 2nd affirmation on 20 December 2024 (Mao’s 2nd Affirmation), in opposing the Summons.

31.  In reply to the aforesaid, Ng on behalf of CC filed his 3rd affirmation on 20 February 2025 (Ng’s 3rd Affirmation).

E.  CC’s grounds for the Summons

32.  CC submitted that costs order sought under the Summons should be made against FI and SG on the following 4 grounds[48].

33.  First, CC argued, it was FI’s erection of, and persistent refusal to remove, Subject UBWs, along with SG’s and FI’s control of MC (and thus IO) in resisting their removal (see second ground below), that caused CC to begin, and to continue until the Trial, these costly proceedings[49] (Ground 1).

34.  Secondly, FI (through Mao) and SG (through Mok) had, CC said, exercised practical controlover MC (or IO)’s persistent refusal, and delay, in complying with the MBIS Notice and removing the Subject UBWs, and/or IO’s management of these proceedings. Their actions prioritised the interests of their companies over IO’s obligations under the DMC and BMO, or the collective interests of all owners of the Building. They obtained personal benefit from IO defending these proceedings and IO’s defence was not for its own benefit, but rather for the benefit of SG and FI, which should be considered as real parties to these proceedings[50] (Ground 2).

35.  Thirdly, FI (through Mao) and SG (through Mok) have, said CC, been guilty of impropriety in relation to these proceedings in that Mao and Mok had provided dishonest evidence, and the defences they presented were knowingly false. Such impropriety and bad faith makes it just to make a non-party costs order against FI and/or SG[51] (Ground 3).

36.  Fourthly, IO’s financial situation, said CC, was that it would be unable to pay CC’s costs of these proceedings without collecting contributions from all owners of the Building. Failing the grant of non-party costs orders against SG and/or FI, it would, CC argued, be manifestly unjust and prejudicial to it if it, the successful party after the Trial, would, through no fault of its own, be required, as an owner of the Building, to contribute towards its costs of these proceedings payable by IO, the unsuccessful party after the Trial, under the Trial Judgment[52] (Ground 4).

F.  Legal principles on non-party costs application

37.  Having considered parties’ detailed legal submissions[53], the overall consideration at the second stage of the Summons is, I think, whether it would be in the interest of justice to grant the costs order sought against the non-party: Leung Chung Ching Edwin v Estate of Leung On Mei Amy [2019] 1 HKLRD 109 (Edwin Leung case), at [72] per Chu JA (as she then was).

38.  For principles as to how this discretion to order non-party costs is to be exercised, Chu JA (as she then was) had, at [74] of Edwin Leung case, endorsed summary at [25] & [29] of Lord Brown’s opinion given on behalf of the Judicial Committee of Privy Council in the New Zealand case of Dymocks Franchise Systems (NSW) Pty Ltd v Todd [2004] 1 WLR 2807 (Dymocks case).

39.  Among other principles, non-party costs orders were said by Lord Brown in Dymocks case to be exceptional in the sense that they are outside the ordinary run of cases where parties pursue or defend claims for their own benefit and at their own expenses. The ultimate question is whether in all the circumstances it is just to make the order, and this is inevitably to some extent a fact-specific jurisdiction and there will often be a number of different consideration in play.

40.  Chu JA (as she then was) had, at [73] of Edwin Leung case, also referred to judgment of Millett LJ (as he then was) in Metalloy Supplies Ltd v MA (UK) Ltd [1997] 1 WLR 1613 (Metalloy case), 1620B-E, where it was said that there are 2 situations where it would be appropriate to make a non-party costs order.

41.  The first is where the third party is considered to be the real party interested in the outcome of the suit. And the second is where the third party has been responsible for bringing the proceedings and they have been brought in bad faith or for an ulterior purpose or there is some other conduct on his part which makes it just and reasonable to make the order sought against him.

42.  On the first situation, it is not necessary for the non-party to be the only real party to the litigation. It is sufficient if he is a real party in very important and critical aspects: Big Island Construction (HK) Ltd v Wu Yi Development Co Ltd [2018] 2 HKLRD 1145 (Big Island case), at [39] per Au-Yeung J[54].

43.  On the second situation, a non-party’s conduct in giving dishonest evidence or running a claim which he knows to be false in the primary proceedings is a relevant factor in deciding whether to order costs against him: [11] of Big Island case, per Au Yeung J[55]. Impropriety or the pursuit of speculative litigation may of itself support the making of an order against a non-party, but its absence does not preclude the making of such an order: [33] of Dymocks case, per Lord Brown.

44.  In the different context of a director controlling or funding the company’s pursuit or defence of the litigation, it has been said that what matters most is whether it can be said that the director was seeking to benefit personally from the litigation. If the company’s stance was dictated by the real or perceived benefit to the director (whether financial, reputational or otherwise) or a personal windfall from the litigation, knowing that the company has no money to pay the other side’s costs if they lose, then it might be said that the director, not the company, was the “real party”: HJ InnoXcell Ltd v Teh Boon Khuan [2024] 5 HKLRD 462 (InnoXcell case), [29] & [31], per Simon Leung J[56].

45.  Alternatively, a non-party costs order may be made against a director where there is some form of impropriety or bad faith on his/her part which is causatively linked to the applicant unnecessarily incurring costs in the litigation. The touchstone is whether the director held a bona fide belief that the company had an arguable claim or defence and that it was in its best interest to advance. It is the impropriety in relation to the litigation, for which the non-party is to be regarded as responsible, that is relevant.

46.  One example is where a directorknew that the company had no genuine cause of action and knew that the company by virtue of its insolvency or financial state would be unable ultimately to pay the costs of the unsuccessful litigation, yet still prosecuted, defended and/or continued the proceedings for his own reasons: [32] & [33] of InnoXcell case, per Simon Leung J.[57]

47.  In terms of evidence for non-party costs application, where the connection of the non-party with the original proceedings was so close that he will not suffer any injustice by allowing the admission of the evidence in the original proceedings, the evidence in the original proceedings is admissible against him in the non-party costs application: [13] of Big Island case, per Au Yeung J, applying 193G of Symphony Group Plc v Hodgson [1994] QB 179 (Symphony case).

48.  Whether it is just and fair that a third party be bound by the evidence given at trial and the judge’s findings of facts in any given case depend on the nature and degree of his connection with the proceedings. Each case has to be considered on its own merits in order to ascertain whether the third party will suffer an injustice if he is held bound by the evidence and findings at trial: Deutsche Bank AG v Sebastian Holdings Inc [2016] 4 WLR 17 (Deutsche Bank case), at [17], [18] & [21], per Moore-Bick LJ[58].

49.  Since a non-party costs application involves an exercise of discretion, limited assistance is likely to be gained from the citation of other decisions at first instance in which judges have or have not granted an order of this kind: Ng Yuk Pui Kelly v Dung Wai Man & Others[2019] HKCFI 1157 (KellyNg case), at [12] per L. Chan J[59].

50.  It is wrong to treat the reported cases as providing a comprehensive checklist of factors that must be present in every case before the discretion can be exercised in any particular case. What may be sufficient to justify the exercise of the discretion in one case should not be treated as a necessary factor for the exercise of discretion in a different case: Systemcare v Services Design Technology [2012] 1 BCLC 14 (Systemcare case), [26], per Lewison J (as he then was)[60].

51.  An non-party costs order could be made without the judge finding that the case was exceptional, or that the non-party funded the proceedings, or that the party to the litigation became insolvent during the course of proceedings: [27], [33], [43], [47] of Systemcare case, per Lewison J (as he then was)[61].

52.  The court will treat a non-party costs application with caution and will only make a costs order in plain and straightforward cases. As non-party costs application is a summary procedure, it would not be appropriate to resolve dispute of facts on affirmations without the benefit of discovery or oral evidence: [9(a)] & [15] of Big Island case, per Au Yeung J, and [7] of KellyNg case, per L. Chan J.

G.  Conducts of Mok as MC member attributable to SG

53.  In opposing the Summons, SG first submitted that Mok’s conducts (in particular his conduct of these proceedings) should not be attributable to it, at least for the purpose of deciding whether an non-party costs order should be made against it.

54.  Citing [95] of Reyes J’s judgment in Wing Ming Garment Factory Ltd v The IO of Wing Ming Industrial Centre & Another (Wing Ming IO case)[62], SG submitted that, though Mok was AR of SG, pursuant to para 11(1) of Schedule 2 of BMO, Mok “may be treated as a member of the management committee in his own right, with the capacity to be appointed as chairman (original bold and italics)” and, thus, his conducts should not be attributable to SG for costs purpose[63].

55.  Mok conducted, SG added, the defence of IO in these proceedings as MC authorized Mok (instead of SG) to do so. All minutes of MC meetings concerned recorded that MC resolved to appoint “MC Chairman Mok”[64] (instead of SG) to instruct solicitors on IO’s behalf and/or to attend hearings to conduct IO’s case at the Trial[65].

56.  When Mok gave evidence at the Trial, he did so, SG emphasized, “as an individual and qua MC Chairman in his own right (original bold and italics)”, not as SG’s representative. Mok (instead of SG) was authorized by IO to make his witness statement. And, SG says, Mok never purported to give evidence, or make his witness statement, on behalf of SG[66].

57.  For the reasons below, I reject all SG’s submissions in this section above.

(1)  Under para 5(2)(a) and para 11(1) of Schedule 2 of BMO, an owners corporation shall, by resolution passed at general meeting, “appoint, from amongst the owners, the members” of a management committee, and a corporate owner “appointed as a member of management committee” “may appoint a director or other officer of that body or some other individual to act as its representative (authorised representative (獲授權代表)) for the purposes of BMOas if the authorised representative were a member of MC in his own right (underline, italics and bold supplied)”.

(2)  Hence, 1) only owners, not their authorized representatives, can stand for election (and be appointed) as member of a management committee and 2) corporate member of a management committee can only act through an authorized individual as its representative: Million Stars Technologies Ltd & Ors v IO of Century Industrial Centre [2017] 4 HKC 557, [30] per Judge K.W. Wong (as he then was). [95] of Wing Ming IOcase cited by SG illustrated only, I would point out, point 2) above and no more.

(3)  The words “in his own right” and “as if” are used together in para 11(1) of Schedule 2 of BMO to provide, I agree with CC’s submission, for AR appointed by corporate member of a management committee having the same qualification requirement, the same membership cessation liability, the same declaration requirement, and the same rights and duties under BMO like any other non-representative management committee member. Therefore, under para 11(1) of Schedule 2 of BMO, certain sub-paragraphs of para 4 of Schedule 2 regarding qualification, and cessation, of management committee membership shall apply to AR as they apply to other non-representative management committee members.

(4)  Having appointed an authorized individual to act as its representative i.e. AR, the corporate owner appointed as a management committee member at general meeting of owners corporation, I agree with CC’s submission, remains a management committee member.

(5)  Hence, should its appointed AR cease to be a member of MC like other non-representative management committee members under certain subparagraphs of para 4 of Schedule 2, the corporate management committee member may appoint another AR in his/her place: para 11(2) of Schedule 2 of BMO.

(6)  Not being owner of Flat 4B, Mok therefore, I think, cannot stand for election to become member of MC. Only SG can. SG, as corporate member of MC, can authorize Mok to act as its representative to MC, and Mok as AR of SG could act like other non-representative members of MC. Should Mok’s membership cease for reasons stated in certain subparagraphs in para 4 of Schedule 2, SG, as corporate MC member itself, could appoint another AR in Mok’s place.

(7)  As the name of AR suggests, Mok was therefore at all material times, I agree with CC, SG’s agentappointed and authorized by SG to serve as its representative to MC. Under para 5(2)(b)(i) of Schedule 2 of BMO, the chairman is to be appointed amongst the members of a management committee. Though Mok was chosen to be MC Chairman from among all MC members, he remained, I think, SG’s authorized agent/representative at all times. But not for his status as AR of SG, he would not and could not, one thinks, have been chosen as MC Chairman.

(8)  Under the provisions of BMO, individual chairman of management committee has no decision-making power on his/her own. Incorporated owners (and management committee) make decisions collectively by passing resolutions at their respective meetings: [50-51] of 羅小玲及另二人 對 鄭慧玲[2022] HKLdT 34.

(9)  Management committee is not a legal entity independent from the incorporated owners. It is a body of natural persons who are the officer bearers of the incorporated owners. Their appointments are regulated by BMO. They are appointed for the purpose of carrying out the powers and duties of, and to make collective decisions for the incorporated owners, through and under the name of management committee. Decisions and acts taken by members of management committee are not only the decisions and acts of management committee, but also those of the incorporated owners: see s.29 of BMO and Incorporated Owners of Kwai Wan Industrial Building[67], [21-22], per Chu J (as she then was).

(10)  Though Mok was authorized by MC collectively to conduct these proceedings on IO’s behalf, to make witness statement for IO and to give evidence as IO’s witness at the Trial, he was, I think, so authorized in his capacity of MC Chairmanand not otherwise (were Mok not MC Chairman, he would, one thinks, most unlikely be so authorized by MC). In that capacity, Mok remained, as explained above, SG’s authorized agent/representative to MC. Mok’s authority to serve in MC as SG’s AR comes from SG, and such authority could, at any time after Mok’s appointment, be revoked by SG, which could have Mok replaced by another AR if SG sees fit.

(11)  Looking at para 6 and 10 of Mok’s Affirmation, it is, I agree with CC, beyond doubt that Mok was, at all material times since 2009, properly authorized by the board of directors of SG (consisting of Mok and one Mr Wong) to act as its AR to MC.

(12)  In the context of this building management dispute, considering aforesaid BMO provisions, conducts made, and knowledge acquired, by Mok in his capacity of MC member as SG’s AR (including participating in 2013 LT Proceedings and MC meetings, handling the MBIS Notice and engaging RI, giving instructions to solicitors, and conducting IO’s defence, in these proceedings and giving evidence as IO’s witness at the Trial) could, I agree with CC, all be properly attributable to SG on general agency principles, with Mok treated as SG’s “directing mind and will” if required: Moulin Global Eyecare Trading Ltd v CIR (2014) 17 HKCFAR 218, [67], [77] & [106(6)], per Lord Walker NPJ.

58.  For avoidance of doubt, though FI did not take the same point of attribution, Mao’s conducts, and knowledge, at all material times while serving as AR of FI to MC are, for same reasons I explain in this section, be all properly attributable to FI.

59.  Looking at minutes of annual general meetings of IO in the years of 2018[68], 2020[69] and 2022[70], para 4 of Mao’s witness statement for FI in these proceedings[71], and para 3 of FI’s NOO for these proceedings[72] put before me for the Summons, Mao was, I find, FI’s AR to MC from 2015 to 2017, and 2018 to 2020. Thereafter, Mao had served instead as AR of M&P to MC.

H.  Evidence of the Trial & Trial Findings admissible against FI on the Summons

60.  Trial Findings and evidence adduced at the Trial are, FI submitted, inadmissible against it as a general rule according to Symphony case as it was a stranger to the Trial. This rule serves, FI says, to ensure a fair trial for the non-party as 1) parties are entitled to the independent judgment of a tribunal of the evidence actually before the tribunal; 2) it is unfair to rule against a non-party based on materials never addressed by it; and 3) it shields a non-party from prejudice arising from choices made by the original parties[73].

61.  Thus, it was said not proven as against FI, among others, that it had erected, and kept, Subject UBWs in breach of the DMC, BMO and BO etc., or that it had provided false evidence, as alleged by CC. FI, it stressed, was entitled at law not to participate at the Trial as CC had wrongly sued FI without locus standing in the first place.

62.  Nonetheless, as [47] above shows, Symphony case itself also, I think, provides for exception to the above general rule.

63.  On all the materials put before me on the Summons, FI had, I think, a very close connection with these proceedings from its beginning until the conclusion of the Trial.

(1)  The subject matters in these proceedings that IO had failed to enforce DMC and BMO provisions against (i.e. Subject UBWs adjoining 9/F Protected Lobby) were erected, and kept, by Flat 9B owner i.e. FI.

(2)  The defaulting owner that IO was said in these proceedings to have failed to enforce the above provisions against is Flat 9B owner i.e. FI and no other owner.

(3)  Among other failures said to have been committed by IO in these proceedings, IO was said to have failed to compile with the MBIS notice. Among all members of MC, Mao (a director and shareholder of FI and FI’s AR to MC) and Mok were the ones who mostly (較多) handled the MBIS Notice[74].

(4)  FI was formerly sued by CC as the 3rd Respondent to these proceedings. But not for FI’s election to strike out CC’s claim against it and IO’s election thereafter not to join FI as third party, FI would have appeared at the Trial to present its case and evidence as either a party or third party and be bound by its evidence and findings.

(5)  Save for FI’s defence of CC’s lack of standing to sue, the other three positive defence raised by FI in its NOO to these proceedings[75] are, I think, essentially the same three raised by IO in its NOO[76] i.e. the 2012 Order[77], the 2013 LT Proceedings[78], and the Settlement Agreement[79]. And FI must have, one thinks, known about IO raising the same 3 positive defence by having the same legal representation to those of IO.

(6)  IO, as the sole respondent to these proceedings after FI ceased to be 3rd Respondent, continued to run at the Trial the said 3 positive defence raised by FI.

(7)  All these 3 positive defence raised by FI (and relied on by IO as its defence until the Trial) were related to FI one way or another. The 2012 Order was directed against FI, which allegedly arranged in 2013 for its discharge[80]. The 2013 LT Proceedings against FI were stayed[81] on terms of the Settlement Agreement FI made with IO in 2013.

(8)  Apart from the above 3 positive defence raised by FI, IO in its Amended NOO also sought to rely at the Trial on the two MC Resolutions passed by MC after the commencement of these proceedings.

(9)  The 2019 MC Resolution was passed with FI’s AR (i.e. Mao) and Hung, Mao’s personal secretary, attending the MC meeting concerned and voting as MC members[82]. The 2023 MC Resolution was also passed with Mao and Hung attending and voting as MC members[83] (but with Mao, a director and shareholder of FI, serving as AR of M&P). FI (through Mao) must well be aware of IO’s reliance of the former resolution, if not of the latter, at the Trial (in any event, minutes of the two MC Resolutions had, according to Mok’s words at para 25 of Mok’s Affirmation, been posted afterwards at a conspicuous part of the Building[84]).

(10)  At all material times between 2018 and 2020, FI’s AR (Mao), and Hung, Mao’s personal secretary, also participated as MC members in all MC meetings in that period that resolved for IO to defend, and to continue defending, these proceedings by solicitors[85].

(11)  At all material times after 2020, Mao (a director and shareholder of FI, but as AR of M&P), and Hung, Mao’s personal secretary, also participated as MC members in MC meetings that resolved to affirm and/or support the ways Mok as MC Chairman elected to conduct IO’s case in person at the Trial, including, of course, relying on the 3 positive defence raised by FI and the two MC Resolutions passed with the votes of Mao and Hung as MC members[86].

64.  For the following additional reasons on top of those in the preceding paragraph, FI suffers, I think, no unfairness or injustice if it is to be held to be bound by the evidence of the Trial and the Trial Findings.

(1)  CC’s claim against FI was not dismissed on its merits; it was struck out as CC does not have a concurrent right to sue FI. S.16 of BMO provides that all complaints about “common parts” of a building should be taken up “exclusively” with the incorporated owners[87].

(2)  Therefore, if CC succeeds against IO in these proceedings, IO could be compelled by order of this Tribunal to take separate enforcement proceedings against FI. Despite its temporary success of striking out, FI remained at risk of future proceedings by IO if IO fails in its defence (not to mention FI could be joined by IO as third party to these proceedings to be discussed below).

(3)  It is accordingly, I think, in every interest of FI to support IO in its defence. FI would benefit from IO’s successful defence, if any, against CC as Mao admitted at para 39 of Mao’s 2nd Affirmation (see footnote [107] below).

(4)  Though it ceased to be a party, FI was certainly, one thinks, in a position to provide, and could have provided, IO with information, documents and witness testimony to support IO’s running at the Trial of at least the same 3 positive defence raised by it earlier in its NOO.

(5)  Indeed, Mao admitted at para 10 and 12 of Mao’s 2nd Affirmation that “FI’s legal team and he himself had after FI’s striking out application, offered assistance to all MC members”, and that “MC members and others had together prepared and/or approved IO’s opening, IO‘s closing submissions and Mok’s defence documents (italics supplied)”[88].

(6)  FI could have, one thinks, also arranged for its director and shareholder i.e. Mao to testify as IO’s witness at the Trial as per contents of his witness statement filed for FI[89], whose contents are consistent with, and supportive of, Mao’s witness statement filed for IO on the same day by the same firm (though IO could, as an alternative to Mao’s live evidence, elect to rely on the said witness statement of Mao filed for FI at the Trial pursuant to s.10(6) of LTO[90]).

(7)  Regarding the alleged discharge of the 2012 Order, BA 2014 Letter[91] sent by BA to FI and the Certificate of Completion purportedly submitted by PIL[92] on FI’s behalf to BA, both found their way into the Trial as documentary evidence adduced by IO at the Trial.

(8)  Regarding Mao’s evidence in his witness statement for FI surrounding the Certificate of Completion relied and adopted by IO at the Trial, CC had specifically, by its solicitors’ letter written to FI in March 2023, warned FI that it would invite this Tribunal to rule that these evidence were false or misleading and would, should FI refuse to apply to join as party, object to it making claim in future of suffering injustice for having no chance to advance its defence or adduce evidence[93]. FI gave no reply nor objected then at all.

(9)  And, FI could have, one thinks, also provided IO as evidence to be adduced at the Trial information, documents and witness testimony regarding usage of Subject UBWs (and 9/F Protected Lobby) by occupants of Flat 9B (including such evidence now asserted at para 27 of Mao’s 2nd Affirmation that door B was, and is, not the sole access from Flat 9B to 9/F Lift Lobby).

(10)  Indeed, FI had further provided IO with its complaint letter dated 11 April 2023 to IO, and related CCTV video, regarding Ng’s alleged trespass to Flat 9B on 9 April 2023, which complaint letter and video also found their way into the Trial as documentary evidence adduced by IO at the Trial[94].

(11)  After the Court of Appeal in November 2021 gave its joinder decision of STL in litigation between CC and IO over Flat 9A in CACV No. 96/2021[95], CC had through its solicitors written to FI in November 2022 inviting it to apply to join as party to these proceedings to protect its right to advance its own defence and present its own evidence. FI was warned that, should it refuse, CC objected to FI claiming prejudice in future for not having chance to take these actions in these proceedings[96]. Again, FI gave no reply nor objected then at all.

(12)  Were FI minded, as it now asserts at section D3b of its skeleton, to object to IO taking enforcement proceedings against it over Subject UBWs as sought by CC on alleged grounds of acquiescence, waiver, issue estoppel and/or abuse of process on the basis of the 2013 LT Proceedings and/or the Settlement Agreement, FI could have, one thinks, applied to be joined again so as to persuade this Tribunal not to compel IO taking enforcement action or proceedings against it.

(13)  While one cannot complain about FI taking out its striking out application as against CC as it is so entitled to at law, FI should, one thinks, also take responsibility for, or be bound by, its own election made with legal representation.

(14)  Symphony case was decided as early as in 1993[97]. Unlike SG as we shall see in section P below, FI made no complaint in its skeleton (and Mao made no complaint in Mao’s 2nd Affirmation) of CC not giving it prior warning of seeking non-party costs order against it[98]. FI therefore took, one thinks, its own risks in 2019 and thereafter of being held on the case law to be bound by the evidence and findings of the Trial that it elected not to participate directly as a party or elected to offer only some, but not all, assistance to IO indirectly.

(15)  There is, I think, much to say that any alleged unfairness or injustice that FI now complains of is of its own making or election, including not heeding such reminders given by CC’s solicitors in their two letters in November 2022 and March 2023.

65.  All things considered, I conclude for reasons stated above that evidence adduced at the Trial and the Trial Findings are admissible against FI in my determination of the Summons.

66.  For avoidance of doubt, though the point was not taken by SG, I also find SG (with Mok as its AR) having so close connection with these proceedings that SG suffers no injustice by being bound by the evidence of the Trial and the Trial Findings. They are therefore also admissible against SG in my determination of the Summons.

I.  FI caused these proceedings to begin and continue

J.  IO defended these proceedings not in its interest but to benefit FI personally

67.  I agree with CC and find that FI had caused these costly proceeding to begin, and to continue for more than 5 years until the Trial Judgment, for the following reasons.

(1)  I first repeat [63(1), (2) & (3)] above herein.

(2)  Prior to commencement of these proceedings in December 2018, CC had written to FI in April and May 2017 three times demanding it to comply with the DMC by removing Subject UBWs and reinstating 9/F Protected Lobby as per AHL’s inspection report[99]. FI gave CC no reply. Had FI complied with CC’s demands[100], CC would most unlikely, I think, have begun these proceedings.

(3)  After these proceedings began, had FI complied with CC’s demands above before the Trial ended, CC would most unlikely, I think, have continued the same against IO until the conclusion of the Trial (or have continued it against FI until its claim was struck out).

(4)  In comparison, not long after Top Property filed its NOO in May 2019 saying that it had related to MC (including MC Chairman and FI’s AR) that Subject UBWs are problematic (有欠妥地方) as per K&H inspection report[101], and written to FI (copied to IO) in June 2019 demanding FI to remove Subject UBWs[102], CC saw fit to discontinue its claim against Top Property in November 2019[103].

(5)  Furthermore, as shall be shown in section K below, FI, together with SG, had controlled MC to ensure that IO defended, and continued to defend, these proceedings until the Trial for FI’s benefit (and resisted, and delayed IO’s compliance of the MBIS Notice including reporting, and removing, of Subject UBWs for FI’s benefit) at all material times until the Trial Judgment.

68.  IO, FI submitted, had its “own good reasons”, and “arguable grounds”, to defend these proceedings and it was “in IO’s own interest” to defend them. The suggestion that “FI stands to benefit from these proceedings” is, FI argued, “farfetched” or “irrelevant”[104].

69.  I also reject all FI’s submissions above for the reasons given in the following paragraphs of this section.

70.  FI obviously, I think, enjoyed benefit for having erected, and for maintaining, Subject UBWs at all material times.

(1)  It is self-evident that the Direct Access was beneficial to FI (and Flat 9B occupants) at all material times.

(2)  If the Direct Access is not beneficial to FI, it

(a)  would not, one thinks, have spent time and money in 2012 to make the Opening at the wall of 9/F Protected Lobby, and would not have spent time and money again in August/September 2013 to install the Glass Door at the Opening;

(b)  would, one thinks, have complied with CC’s 3 written demands made in April and May 2017 (or Top Property’s written demand made in June 2019) to remove Subject UBWs in order to avoid these proceedings from beginning or continuing;

(c)  would not, one thinks, have spent time and money to have instructed solicitors to defend these proceedings, including taking out application to strike out the same;

(d)  would not, one thinks, have kept Subject UBWs to enjoy the Direct Access for as long as more than 11 years from August/September 2013 until December 2024; and

(e)  would not, one thinks, have delayed completing works to remove Subject UBWs (and reinstate 9/F Protected Lobby) until December 2024 when IO had first demanded it to do so in line with the Trial Judgment as early as in August 2024[105].

(3)  If indeed there was at all material times another route for Flat 9B occupants to access 9/F Lift Lobby through Flat 9A offices (the Other Route)[106] as is now asserted at para 27 of Mao’s 2nd Affirmation, such benefit provided by the Direct Access to FI must, one thinks, be sufficiently strong enough to have caused FI to have acted in the manners mentioned above.

(4)  Compared with the Direct Access provided by Subject UBWs, the Other Route, if it existed at all, is, I think, clearly of longer distance and less direct for occupants of those parts of Flat 9B adjoining 9/F Protected Lobby to go to 9/F Lift Lobby.

(5)  Indeed, Mao admitted at para 39 of Mao’s 2nd Affirmation to say that “unless IO succeeds in its defence, FI would have no benefit at all”[107]. Clearly, in this scenario mentioned by Mao himself, FI could continue to keep Subject UBWs, and the Direct Access, for its benefit. In the meantime, prior to the Trial Judgment, FI was, one thinks, also benefitting from the Direct Access in the same manner.

71.  Such continuing benefit to FI is no doubt, I think, a relevant consideration to be taken into account in deciding whether to make a non-party costs order against FI.

72.  IO’s stance in defending these proceedings was also dictated, I think, by the real or perceived benefit to FI. This is apparent for the following reasons or evidence. And the bold attempt by FI to argue to the contrary wholly fails for reasons given by me below.

(1)  Considering the terms of the two MC Resolutions passed by MC[108] and MC’s statement (嚴正聲明), signed by Mao, Hung and Mok, accompanying the 2019 Resolution (the 2019 Statement)[109], MC had, on their terms, allowedFI to convert part of 9/F “common parts” of the Building for FI’s private use [自用] (i.e. allowed FI to make use of the Opening and the Glass Door installed at the Opening).

(2)  It is therefore clear that MC at the material times (consisting, inter alia, of Mao, Hung and Mok) was well aware that the status quo in December 2018 (when these proceedings were commenced) was for the benefit of FI and that IO defending these proceedings was also for FI’s benefit (i.e. allowed FI to continue using the Opening and the Glass Door installed at the Opening for its private use).

(3)  It is, I think, no use for FI to assert at para 40 of its skeleton that, if IO’s defence of these proceeding ultimately succeeds - IO would not have to spend time or money restoring 9/F to its original state[110], nor take legal action against FI for that purpose i.e. IO could avoid future expenses or avoid taking future proceedings.

(4)  FI significantly gave, one notes, no clue in its submissions what existing benefit, if any, IO enjoyed when it made its decision in December 2018 to defend these proceedings to maintain the status quo (not to mention IO then had no crystal ball to tell it must ultimately prevail after trial of these proceedings).

(5)  The undeniable facts, I think, are that MC had knowingly and unilaterally given a privilege to FI to use part of 9/F “common parts” of the Building for, I would stress, no reward (or no consideration) at the expense of other owners of the Building.

(6)  It is also, I think, wholly hypothetical for FI to claim at para 41 of its skeleton that acceding to CC’s demands could have placed IO in a difficult position due to possible legal objections open to FI on the basis of the Settlement Agreement.

(7)  There is, as CC pointed out, no evidence at all that MC had, at any time prior to the Trial, written any single letter to FI demanding it to remove Subject UBWs and to restore 9/F Protected Lobby as CC repeatedly urged it to, let alone met with any reply letter from FI citing the Settlement Agreement as legal ground of objection. FI did, after the Trial Judgment, raise with IO the Settlement Agreement in September 2024 and November 2024, but FI finally elected and removed the Subject UBWs in December 2024.

(8)  The 2019 Statement itself, or the two MC Resolutions, also made no reference at all of MC (or IO) having made demands on FI, or met with objections from FI after such demands, if any (the only explanations given in the 2019 Statement for the passing of the 2019 MC Resolution by MC was 1) the settlement of the 2013 LT Proceedings by the Settlement Agreement, and 2) the alleged discharge of the 2012 Order by BA)

73.  To the contrary, IO (and all/other owners of the Building) had, as I found in the Trial Judgment, suffered numerous detriments by December 2018 by reason of Subject UBWs (and other private UBWs to be mentioned below), and could, one thinks, suffer continuing detriment if the status quo existing in December 2018 is maintained for FI’s benefit.

(1)  No progress was made by IO at all in complying with the MBIS Notice covering all “common parts” of the Building issued to it by BA as early as in July 2015[111] (AHL was dismissed in November 2016 after 7 months’ engagement[112]. K&H’s 2nd inspection report submitted to BA on 21 August 2018 was quickly withdrawn by it on 30 August 2018 after Top Property on MC’s instructions demanded it doing so on 23 August 2018[113]. The compliance deadlines prescribed by BA in the MBIS Notice had been rendered completely meaningless). The MBIS Notice has been registered by BA at the Land Registry as an encumbrance since February 2016[114]. Such inaction of MC further exposed IO to criminal prosecution and penalty thereof[115].

(2)  FI’s erection, and maintenance, of Subject UBWs had also, this Tribunal found in the Trial Judgment, damaged and/or altered fire-resistance structure of 9/F Protected Lobby and its safe means of escape, posing risk of injury or death to occupants and visitors to the Building in the unfortunate event of fire[116].

(3)  “Property all risks insurance policy” purchased by IO covering all “common parts” of the Building could, this Tribunal also found, well have been rendered void or voidable as a result of Subject UBWs, or could have its premium liable to be increased for that[117].

(4)  As MC had failed to comply with IO’s statutory duties under BMO, and its duties under the DMC, to enforce DMC provisions[118] and to comply with notices over “common parts” issued by public officer[119], it had thereby exposed IO to possible allegations from owners, and possible legal actions from owners, for its failure to enforce against FI for FI’s breaches of the provisions of the DMC, those of BMO, BO and its regulations etc.

74.  On the Trial Findings, IO had in truth, I think, no arguable ground to defend these proceedings. Mao’s assertions at para 24 to 35 of Mao’s 2nd Affirmation, and FI’s contrary submissions in its skeleton, on specific points of the Trial Judgment made with the benefit of hindsight of reading the Trial Judgment and subsequent case law[120], are, I think, incapable of altering, and do not alter, the Trial Findings and my overall conclusions therein.

(1)  The 2012 Order was, in fact, directed against the Opening to the knowledge of Mok (at the time of the 2013 LT Proceeding, he saw at 9/F of the Building that there was no door at all at door B location; only the Opening existed at that location at that time)[121]. And the Opening was never “reinstated” by FI as expressly required by the 2012 Order until December 2024. The 2012 Order was thus never discharged by BA prior to the Trial as alleged by FI[122].

(2)  The subject matter of the 2013 LT Proceedings and of the Settlement Agreement was, in fact, door A to the knowledge of Mok[123]. These two matters relied by IO in these proceedings (and again relied by Mao in Mao’s 2nd Affirmation) therefore provide no defence whatsoever to these proceedings concerning Subject UBWs[124] at door B location (be it issue estoppel or abuse of process as claimed by FI in its skeleton).

(3)  Installation of the Glass Door at the Opening by FI was never, in fact, reported to BA as minor works by the Certificate of Completion purportedly submitted by PIL (as claimed by Mao in his witness statement for FI and adopted by Mok in his evidence at the Trial). According to BA’s official records, there was no such submission at all. There are also many irregularities on the face of the Certificate of Completion produced by IO as documentary evidence at the Trial[125]. Mao (or FI) must, I think, have known of the falsity of such alleged submission. Mao’s purported explanation at para 18 of Mao’s witness statement for FI[126] (and at para 12 of FI’s NOO for these proceedings[127]) is, I think, incapable of being believed.

(4)  Significantly, all the explanations given by MC in the 2019 Statement (signed by, inter alia, Mao, Hung, Mok) for MC (composing, inter alia, of Mao, Hung and Mok) passing the 2019 MC Resolution are, I think, “far from the truth”[128].

(5)  As Subject UBWs remainsUBW under BO[129] (i.e. illegal structures) at all material times in breach of s.14(1) of BO, MC could not have lawfully approved (or waived) such conversion of 9/F “common parts” for FI’s private use even according to Court of Appeal judgment in CACV No. 96/2021 handed down in December 2024[130] (i.e. subsequent to the Trial Judgment) cited by FI.

(6)  If one reads carefully my reasoning in the Trial Judgment, one would discover that most, if not all, findings of FI in breach of divers provisions of the DMC, BMO, BO and its subsidiary regulations[131] do not at law require any finding of the Direct Access being the sole access of Flat 9B to 9/F Lift Lobby (it suffice at law for Subject UBWs being made and the Direct Access being used). The existence of the Other Route claimed by Mao in Mao’s 2nd Affirmation, even if it is true, is therefore neither here nor there.

(7)  Absent contrary expert evidence adduced by Mao in Mao’s 2nd Affirmation, I do not find bare submission of FI at para 48 and 49 of its skeleton capable of altering the Trial Findings of fire safety hazard posed by Subject UBWs based on my detailed assessment of fire safety guidelines and oral expert evidence adduced at the Trial.

(8)  Regarding Mao’s complaint in Mao’s 2nd Affirmation about air-conditioning units installed at Flats 2AB and alleged UBW at 11/F lift lobby of the Building, I can do no better than to repeat my analysis in the Trial Judgment of the “clean hands” defence raised by IO[132]. Nothing said by Mao in Mao’s 2nd Affirmation could suffice to cause to me to alter my analysis therein.

75.  For all the reasons given in this section, IO had therefore, I think, no arguable ground to defend these proceedings. Defending these proceedings to maintain the status quo in fact does not benefit IO. The status quo in fact causes IO to suffer numerous continuing detriments. Hence, it is, I think, not in IO’s own interest to defend these proceedings (which is for benefit of FI).

76.  Defending these proceedings is, I think, all the more so not in IO’s interest when IO:-

(1)  did not receive any funding (or obtain any costs indemnity) from FI and had to use its limited funds collected from all owners of the Building to pay for its legal costs (which costs escalated over time as it took as many as 5 years for the Trial to be set down, after which IO elected to act in person at the Trial for costs reason); and

(2)  had to defend, after December 2019, against CC alone as the sole respondent at the Trial, as it elected not to join FI as third party to these proceedings.

77.  IO should, at the latest by November 2021, if not earlier, be aware that it could apply to Land Tribunal to join FI as third party to these proceedings: see decision of Court of Appeal handed down in November 2021 on joinder of STL in litigation over Flat 9A between CC and IO in CACV 96/2021[133]. Indeed, solicitors for CC had twice written to IO’s solicitors in November 2022 and March 2023 inviting IO to apply in vain[134].

78.  Joinder of FI as third party to these proceedings plainly offers IO divers obvious tactical advantages, including:-

(1)  securing or enlisting FI’s legal and evidential support to buttress and/or bolster at least the same 3 positive defence raised by FI in its NOO and also relied by it;

(2)  allowing IO to rely on such additional defence, if any, to CC’s claim raised by FI;

(3)  protecting IO’s position, including costs position, especially in the unfortunate event it fails against CC after the Trial; and

(4)  avoiding FI from contending, as it sought to after the Trial Judgment and now asserts in its skeleton, that it is not bound by the Trial Findings as a stranger to the Trial, or that the Settlement Agreement affords it a defence by way of issue estoppel and/or abuse of process to separate proceedings brought by IO against it[135].

79.  But, IO, for reasons to be explained in next section, never availed itself of such application and had continued defending these proceedings alone for FI’s benefit using owners’ fund contributed by all owners of the Building.

K.  FI and SG together in effective control of MC

80.  FI, it stressed, did not fund nor control IO’s defence. CC, said FI, produced no evidence to make good its claim of FI in control of MC (or IO).

81.  MC, said FI by reference to evidence and exhibits, including minutes of MC meetings, in Mao’s 2nd Affirmation, always made IO’s own decisions, including those on the MBIS Notice, independently by majority rule. FI (or Mao) alone was in the minority of MC and could not control MC. Mao never controlled MC’s decisions nor IO’s handling of the MBIS Notice[136].

82.  SG had, it also submitted, never exercised any control of IO (or MC) in defending these proceedings. On the evidence and exhibits in Mok’s Affirmation, including minutes of MC meetings, SG stressed that 1) MC members themselves made all concerned decisions, including those on defending these proceedings, unanimously by consensus, and 2) Mok was merely one member of MC and acting on the collective decisions of MC. Mok, said SG, never conspired with Mao to control MC and there is no evidence to that effect.

83.  SG should not, it added, be held responsible for having caused these proceedings. SG, it says, had nothing to do with the Subject UBWs. The dispute above UBW at Flat 4B (4B UBW) it owned, SG stressed, had already been settled prior to the commencement of these proceedings in December 2018. SG could not have been affected by the outcome of these proceedings. And SG did not stand to benefit from IO defending these proceedings[137].

84.  For the reasons that follow, I cannot agree with the above submissions of FI and SG. They focus mainly on what appear on the face of minutes of MC meetings. And these submissions do not give the full picture. One must have regard, I think, to the totality of the evidence adduced at the Trial, the Trial Findings and the evidence adduced on the Summons.

85.  First, on the Trial Findings and the evidence adduced for the Summons highlighted below, as the two among all MC members that “mostly” handled the MBIS Notice, Mok as MC Chairman and Mao as MC member (the two of them being on “friendly terms [份熟友好]” according to Mok’s evidence at the Trial[138]) had, I think, taken their turnat critical moments to have decided against, and had taken every means open to them to delay as long as they could, removal of Subject UBWs and other private UBWs at the Building (including 4B UBW) and IO’s compliance with the MBIS Notice (in the above process, as shown below, Mok had, I think, reached his limit as far as he could, or would like to, go delaying removal of 4B UBW).

(1)  One starts with the year 2013. Despite Mok knew full well that the 2012 Order issued by BA against FI was directed against the Opening, he signed on statement of truth in the NOA of the 2013 LT Proceedings as MC Chairman to verify its contents[139] to arrange IO taking proceedings against FI on the different subject matter of door A. This Tribunal concluded in the Trial Judgment that MC was “redirecting the attention or complaint away from the Opening [法團明顯在將視線或投訴轉移離開該洞口到【甲門】,嘗試魚目混珠]”[140]. As the 2013 LT Proceedings and the Settlement Agreement related in fact to a different subject matter, they were, this Tribunal found, made to “obscure the truth [實屬混淆視聼]”[141].

(2)  Next comes 2016. AHL submitted its inspection report to IO in June 2016. In compliance with the MBIS Notice issued in July 2015, it revealed not only Subject UBWs, but also UBWs at other “common parts” of the Building at/next to Flat 4B, Flat 9A and Flats 12AB (owned by SG, STL and M&P respectively, collectively other Private UBWs). AHL in its report recommended to IO removal and reinstatement of all these UBWs[142]. As things turned out, these recommendations were not acted upon by IO.

(3)  On Mok’s admission at para 13 of Mok’s Affirmation, BA had in fact, as early as in July 2008, pursuant to s.24(c)(1) of BO, issued to SG a warning notice (the 2008 Warning Letter) regarding demolition of 4B UBW[143] (the 2008 warning Letter was later registered at Lands Registry). By 2016 when AHL submitted its report, SG had thus delayed taking action on 4B UBW for over 8 years.

(4)  Regarding the fate of AHL, shortly after it submitted its report to IO, its appointment as RI was terminated by IO by way of resolution passed on agenda one[144] of an extraordinary general meeting held in November 2016 (2016 EGM) chaired by Mok as MC Chairman[145]. It should be noted that, while agenda two of 2016 EGM regarding 4B UBW was requisitioned at the request of 5% owners of the Building, other agendas, including agenda one for replacing RI, were “made at the request of other owners” whose identities were not spelt out in its minutes signed by Mok as MC Chairman[146].

(5)  At the same time of 2016 EGM, it was resolved on agenda two against SG’s interest that IO disclaimed responsibility for all legal liability or economic losses caused by 4B UBW[147].

(6)  Next comes early 2017 when CC begun LDBM 41/2017 at Lands Tribunal against IO (41 Action)[148] for its failure to enforce against SG regarding 4B UBW[149]. At the Trial, Mok spent much in his evidence to refer to other 7 litigations between IO and CC and CDL, but “deliberately omitted” to refer to 41 Action[150].

(7)  For his conflict of interest, as recorded on the minute of MC meeting held on 20 March 2017, Mok (as AR of SG) recused himself on the agenda of 41 Action (so did Ng). Also recorded on the said minute are that MC, havingconsidered legal advice from its legal adviser that IOhas “no defence”to 41 Action if CC’s allegations are true, resolved to enter agreement with SG to require SG’s removal of 4B UBW in order to save unnecessary legal costs[151].

(8)  Shortly afterwards, in April and May 2017, Ng, on behalf of CC, wrote 3 times to Mok as MC Chairman[152]. Referring to findings in AHL’s report, CC demanded IO to take action against Subject UBWs. Ng urged IO not to abdicate its legal responsibility towards all owners even though a MC member erected Subject UBWs and that Mok himself was also related to other Private UBWs[153].

(9)  Contrary to Mok’s claim at para 26(3) of Mok’s Affirmation that it was then too busy for MC to have taken care of the above 3 letters from CC, Mok had, at the Trial, I find, “falsely” asserted that he “did not recall” having received the said 3 letters from CC “in order to avoid cross-examination [莫的【選擇性記憶】,不外是逃避問題的伎倆]”[154]. And, more importantly, Mok as MC Chairman never replied to CC on the said 3 letters urging IO to take action on Subject UBWs.

(10)  Looking at para 13 of Mok’s Affirmation, SG continueddelayed taking action on 4B UBW even up to May 2017, causing BA to issue another warning letter to SG on 31 May 2017 requiring SG’s immediate action[155]. It was not until October 2017 and November 2017 that SG finally arranged for its contactor to report to BA about 4B UBW removal works commencement[156] and works completion[157] under the “simplified requirements” that CC finally saw fit to discontinue 41 Action against IO in December 2017[158]. And BA did not write to SG giving its discharge or satisfaction of the 2008 Warning Letter registered at Lands Registry until May 2019[159].

(11)  In the meantime, at an extraordinary general meeting of IO (2018 EGM) held on 26 April 2018, Mao as MC member was recorded in its minute to have explained to other owners in the meeting that AHL was, in truth, “dismissed” for reporting Private UBWs in its inspection report and for its “refusal to rectify”[160], and that MC had resolved to require K&H to prepare two inspection reports, one addressing Private UBWs and not to be submitted to BA (and Mok knew full well of that arrangement)[161], in order to “avoid repetition of CC suing IO for its failure to enforce against owner like that occurred to Flat 9A owner in LDBM 118/2017”[162] (Mao never saw fit to deny at para 23.5 of Mao’s 2nd Affirmation that he had so explained aboveto other owners at 2018 EGM the true reasons above for dismissing AHL at 2016 EGM).

(12)  Nonetheless, unlike what Mao desired, K&H issued on 13 July 2018 its 2nd report revealing not only Subject UBWs but also Private UBWs[163] and submitted it to BA on 21 August 2018.

(13)  At a MC meeting held on 19 July 2018 chaired by Mok as MC Chairman and attended by, inter alia, Mao and Hung as MC members, MC opined after discussion that it was “unacceptable” for K&H not to have prepared two inspection reports[164].

(14)  On MC’s instructions, Top Property further wrote to K&H two days after its submission of 2nd inspection report to BA requiring K&H to withdraw it, and threatening that “IO would take action to recover all its losses”. K&H had no choice but to withdraw its 2nd report on 30 August 2018 and later resigned on 25 February 2019[165].

(15)  Three days before K&H resigned i.e. on 22 February 2019, Mao as MC member had “urgently” written on behalf of IO (claiming that MC Chairman Mok was away) to Top Property expressing MC’s dissatisfaction with K&H’s performance and its “refusal to rectify”, referring to repeated telephone calls from him and from Mok as MC Chairman on the matter, requiring Top Property to give warning to K&H and to seek the latter’s final indication whether to continue to serve as RI within the next 7 days, failing that IO will “dismiss” K&H and appoint another in its place[166].

(16)  About 2 months odd after K&H’s withdrawal of its 2nd report, CC’s solicitors sent out its two letters before action to Top Property[167] and to Mok as MC Chairman on the same day of 19 November 2018[168], outlining breaches alleged by CC in these proceedings and requiring enforcement action against defaulting owner of Subject UBWs within the next 14 days. Mok as MC Chairman never replied to CC. Neither did IO nor Top Property take any follow up action. CC thus took out these proceedings against them and FI on 11 December 2018.

(17)  Top Property had in fact written to CC and its solicitors earlier on 22 May 2017 and on 30 November 2018 respectively saying that IO will take no action on Subject UBWs as it had been resolved by 1) the 2013 LT Proceedings, 2) the Settlement Agreement and 3) the alleged discharge of the 2012 Order by BA.

(18)  After the commencement of these proceedings, Top Property saw fit to change its stance in its NOO filed on 30 May 2019, telling the truth that MC Chairman Mok and FI’s AR on MC had known from it (i.e. Top Property) that Subject UBWs was found to be “problematic” in K&H’s report but that MC gave no instructions to it to require FI to make reinstatement[169]. Top Property saw fit later to have further written to FI (copied IO) on 24 June 2019 requiring FI to remove Subject UBWs in line with BMO guidelines[170].

(19)  On Mok’s admission that he was well aware that the subject matter of the 2017 LT Proceedings was only door A, this Tribunal found that MC had instructed Top Property to write to CC and its solicitors in May 2017 and November 2018 to give the purported explanations above, and passed the two MC Resolutions, in an attempt to “obscure the truth and to delay carrying out its duties” [法團依賴該案發出該聲明或通過決議,指示置佳以該案回應中紀及其律師的來信,也是混淆視聽的伎倆,目的無疑為不想履行(或拖延履行)其法定責任][171].

(20)  It didn’t take long for MC responding to Top Property’s new and truthful stance by writing to it on 4 June 2019, 11 June 2019 and 25 June 2019 (this last letter was signed by Mok as MC Chairman[172]) demanding explanation for its alleged irresponsible allegations against MC on K&H report, accusing Top Property to have “gone back on its words [出爾反爾]” and “reserving IO’s right to take legal action” on that[173].

(21)  On 4 July 2019, MC escalated its retaliation against Top Property. In MC meeting held on that day, MC “recommended” it to resign for its alleged unsatisfactory performance and gave it one week to consider. On 24 July 2019, MC could not wait any longer. It sent Top Property a letter (signed by MC Chairman Mok) giving it 1-month notice to terminate its appointment as the manager of the Building[174].

(22)  In retrospect, this Tribunal found that MC had tried its best 1) to stop RIs from reporting Subject UBWs, and other Private UBWs, to BA in line with the requirements of the MBIS Notice, 2) “suppressed and excluded” un-cooperative RIs (i.e. AHL and K&H) [【打壓】及【排除】不服從的匯報者, 打壓排除不合作的顧問] in an attempt to deceive BA on inspection report [嘗試就驗樓報告欺瞞當局] and 3) “stopped” Top Property from requiring FI to remove Subject UBWs[175]in total disregard of it duties under s.18(1)(b) & (c) of BMO and under the DMC[176]. This Tribunal specifically rejected Mok’s claim in the box that he “did not know or understand” the DMC and found that MC (including Mok) must be well aware of its duties under the law and the consequence of failing to comply with the MBIS Notice[177].

(23)  This Tribunal also held that, for the self-interest of companies of individual MC members, MC had disregarded its duties under the DMC and BMO and sacrificed the safety of all owners of the Building to have ignored the 2012 Order and allowed FI to keep Subject UBWs [法團管委會為個別委員及其公司的私利,漠視法團在該公契及條例下的法定責任,犧牲該大廈所有業戶的生命安全,無視該命令,縱容樂園違法違章構建該違章建築] [178].

(24)  This Tribunal further found that, when it was called upon to enforce its duties, IO first put forward the 2013 LT Proceedings that were unrelated, and the Certificate of Completion that was never submitted, and later passed the two MC Resolutions to condone FI, so as to further delay rectification of Subject UBWs [當被催促執法時,法團再堆砌出包括無關的該案、從未經過簡化規定的該完工通知…後期更嘗試以管委會決議及該聲明,繼續包庇樂園…企圖進一步拖延該違章建築的更正] [179].

(25)  This Tribunal found it regretful that MC, “contrary to the interest of all owners of the Building”, had made “no real progress at all for the last 7 years or so” in complying with the MBIS Notice covering all “common parts” of the Building [而驗樓通知發出至今超過7年,遭法團多番阻礙幾乎進展全無,法圖一直置所有業主就該大廈所有公用部分遵辦驗樓通知的公共利益於不顧,實屬可悲][180].

86.  Secondly, though on the minutes of MC meetings produced by Mao and Mok in their affirmations, attending MC members had made all decisions, and passed resolutions (including the two MC Resolutions), over Subject UBWs, the handling of MBIS Notice and the defence of these proceedings unanimously, it should, I think, worth pointing out at the same time, and repeating my conclusions in earlier sections, that:

(1)  save except for 2016 EGM terminating AHL’s appointment on its agenda one at the request of unknown owners on its minutes (but its agenda two against 4B UBW was requisitioned by 5% owners), MC (and attending MC members concerned) did not see fit to arrange for general meetings to be held for all owners to decide, and resolve on, the aforesaid important matters affecting all owners of the Building;

(2)  Mok as MC Chairman, Mao, a director and shareholder of FI and as MC member (either as AR of FI or M&P), and Mao’s personal secretary i.e. Hung (collectively MMH), were present at all these MC meetings whose minutes are produced;

(3)  MMH present collectively held the majority of votes (inclusive of casting vote held by Mok as MC Chairman in the event of equality of votes) at all the aforesaid MC meetings to control the voting results if voting was required and if they acted in concert;

(4)  no dissenting or contrary views expressed by other attending MC member(s) than MMH were recorded in these minutes (Mok had referred at para 22 of Mok’s Affirmation to all MC members often reaching “consensus” before making decision or passing resolution since about 2019 i.e. after these proceedings were commenced by CC in December 2018);

(5)  those so-called “independent”[181] MC member(s) other than MMH attending these MC meetings concerned had not come forward on oath to explain why they had acted in the ways recorded in these minutes;

(6)  unlike that of Mok who had recused himself on agenda of MC meetings held on 20 March 2017 concerning 41 Action in respect of 4B UBW, Mao, as shareholder and director of FI (and as AR of FI at the time of passing of the 2019 MC Resolution), did not see fit to recuse himself at agendas of the said 2 MC meetings that passed the two MC Resolutions giving benefit or privilege to FI over part of 9/F “common parts” of the Building for no reward or consideration (or, at the very least, did not see fit to have declared his interest thereof, if not his conflict of interest thereof);

(7)  to the knowledge of Mok and Mao, the explanations given in the 2019 Statement for MC passing the 2019 MC Resolution are not the truth;

(8)  one reason for passing the 2023 MC Resolution recorded in the minutes of the said MC meeting, namely, BA had by letter “approved” Subject UBWs as “lawful” [屋宇署來信批准該防火門為合法裝置] was plainly, when one reads BA 2014 Letter, contrary to the terms on its face and, in any event, contrary to the Trial Findings[182];

(9)  unlike what happened in MC meetings held on 20 March 2017 before MC resolved therein how to follow up on 41 Action, there was no record whatsoever in the minutes of other MC meetings produced that MC had taken legal advice from IO’s legal adviser during, or before, those MC meetings before MC decided defending these proceedings (indeed, there was no minute produced by Mao and Mok to show that attending MC members had in any MC meeting to have discussed the pros and cons, or the merits and costs, of defending these proceedings);

(10)  there was no minute of any MC meeting produced by Mao or Mok to have recorded that MC had discussed or taken legal advice on the 3 demand letters written by Ng on behalf of CC to Mok as MC Chairman in April and May 2017 and the letter before action written by CC’s solicitors to Mok as MC Chairman on 19 November 2018;

(11)  there was no minute of any MC meeting produced by Mao or Mok to have recorded that MC had discussed or taken legal advice on joinder of FI as third party as suggested by letters of CC’s solicitors to IO in November 2022 and March 2023;

(12)  these is not a single letter written by IO to FI prior to the Trial Judgment demanding FI to remove Subject UBWs or persuading FI to do so in the interest of all owners and/or for the sake of avoiding costly litigation between IO and CC;

(13)  IO had, as I have demonstrated above, no arguable ground to defend these proceedings;

(14)  it was not, as was shown above, in IO’s interest to defend, or continue to defend, these proceedings, especially defending alone as sole respondent without joinder of FI as third party and using its limited fund collected from all owners of the Building, all the more so (as shall be shown in section O below) after IO in general meeting had resolved against setting up “legal fund” in June 2019 and that MC had resolved in its meeting held in December 2019 to resort to “management fee” of all owners to pay for legal costs;

(15)  defending these proceedings are in fact in FI’s interest and for its benefit, to the knowledge of those MC members, including Mok, Mao and Hung, passing the two MC Resolutions;

(16)  the way MC over the years since 2015 handled the MBIS Notice covering all “common parts” of the Building was, as was found in the Trial Judgment and highlighted in earlier parts of this decision, in clear breach of statutory requirements of the MBIS Notice, IO’s duties under the DMC and BMO, and to the detriment of all owners of the Building; and

(17)  the way MC had over the years since 2012 delayed enforcement action against FI over Subject UBWs was, as was found in the Trial Judgment, contrary to IO’s duties under the DMC and BMO to the knowledge of MC members, including Mok who dared to assert falsely at the Trial that he “did not know or understand” the DMC.

87.  On the totality of the evidence, including the above salient ones, the only reasonable conclusion that one could come to, or the only reasonable inference that could be drawn, is, I think, that MMH (i.e. Mok for SG, Mao and Hung for FI) had, in the self-interest of SG and FI, effectively controlled MC at all material times over its handling of the MBIS Notice, removal of Subject UBWs and IO’s defending of these proceedings for the respective benefits of SG (see below) and FI (as explained above).

88.  It does not matter, I think, whether or not other MC members attending these MC meetings with minority vote had, as alleged by Mok, acted “independently” in, what they believed, IO’s best interest, or had acted out of their self-interest or others’ interest. Were they to have any ulterior motive, they do not assist FI and SG. It simply means that these other MC members are at risk of having personal costs order made against them as well: Abdul Aziz Essa v Capital Globe Ltd & Anor [2012] 6 HKC 472, [33], per Barma J (as he then was).

L.  SG also caused these proceedings and benefitted personally

89.  It is true that SG does not enjoy, I agree with SG, any tangible benefit arising directly from retention of Subject UBWs, or arising directly from the resolution of these proceedings.

90.  But, notwithstanding Mok’s bare denial at para 16 of Mok’s Affirmation, on the totality of the evidence of the Trial, the Trial Findings and evidence adduced for the Summons, I maintain my earlier views expressed in the Trial Judgment that Mok could benefit from exonerating FI (or Mao) for its past misconducts over, inter alia, Subject UBWs and/or handling of the MBIS Notice and/or exonerating Mok’s own past misconducts as MC Chairman over the same [可能有動機替樂園(或茅)開脫,或為他作為主席的管委會的過去可能失責開脫] [183]. That enabled Mok to maintain his friendship with Mao and/or his reputation as MC Chairman within the Building. Such benefit above to Mok as AR of SG to MC could, at law, be attributable to SG for reasons I have already explained in section G above.

91.  On the case law, Mok’s intangible and indirect benefit above, I agree with CC, could be considered as “benefit” for the purpose of making a non-party costs order against SG: see [44] above; The Creative Foundation v Dreamland Leisure Ltd & Ors [2016] 3 Costs LR 509, [8], [57-58] per Arnold J; and Latimer Management Consultants Ltd & Ors v Ellingham Investments Ltd & Anor [2007] 1 WLR 2569, [52] per Bernard Livesey QC.

92.  But not for MMH’s effective control over MC (and IO) at all material times to resist and delay removal of Subject UBWs erected by FI, to resist and delay compliance of the MBIS Notice, and to defend, and to continue to defend, these proceedings for FI’s benefit, and also, for Mok’s control, and conduct, of, and in, these proceedings as MC Chairman and as IO’s factual witness (see section N below), these proceedings would not, I think, have been commenced in the first place, and would not have continued, at great legal costs, for 5 years against IO until the Trial. As such, I also agree with CC that SG should, like FI, be held responsible for causing these proceedings.

M.  FI and SG being the “real parties” to these proceedings

93.  Both FI and SG denied in their skeletons being “real party” to these proceedings. So did Mok and Mao in Mok’s Affirmation and Mao’s 2nd Affirmation respectively.

94.  However, on my findings and conclusions in sections G to L above, I am driven to conclude that both FI and SG should be considered “real party” to these proceedings (each of them is a real party in important and critical aspect of these proceedings). The two of them together controlled IO, and caused IO, to defend these costly proceedings in order to benefit from these proceedings personally. And, as shall be shown below, both FI and SG were guilty of impropriety in relation to these proceedings as well.

95.  CC has therefore made out Ground 1 and Ground 2 against FI and SG. As to whether they (be it alone or together) warrant granting the costs order sought in the Summons, I would leave that important issue to “discretion” section below.

N.  SG and FI both guilty of impropriety in these proceedings at the expense of CC

96.  There has, SG submitted, been no impropriety or bad faith on its part. Such serious allegations, said SG, have not been proven by cogent evidence. SG was at best “nominally” connected to these proceedings and Mok’s actions as MC Chairman in acting on the collective decisions of MC should not, SG says, be attributed to it[184].

97.  FI argued likewise. FI, it stressed, had taken no further step after its successful striking-out application and could not have thereafter acted improperly. It never participated in the Trial and Mao never gave evidence, let alone gave false evidence, at the Trial. Mao’s witness statement filed for FI was never adopted by him in the box, or adduced as IO’s evidence, at the Trial.

98.  In any event, CC, said FI, had never incurred costs to deal with Mao’s witness statement at the Trial because it knew long ago that FI was no longer a party to these proceedings. If CC nonetheless chose to do so, FI could not be blamed for that[185].

99.  All the above submissions of SG and FI are, I think, without merit for the following reasons.

100.  I start dealing with submissions given by FI, which focused on the Trial, which focus is, I think, too narrow when the real issue is whether FI was guilty of any impropriety in this litigation, for which FI is to be regarded as responsible for: see [45] above.

101.  It cannot, I think, be denied that Mao made his witness statement for FI for this litigation while FI was a party to these proceedings. Mao had further verified its contents by signing on a statement of truth, which statement is solemn and carries serious consequence as a matter of law.

102.  Under O.41A r.9(1), Rules of High Court[186], proceedings for contempt of court may be brought against a person if he makes, or causes to be made, a false statement in a document verified by a statement of truth without an honest belief in its truth. Among the three elements to succeed in an application for contempt, the second one is that the statement has or would have interfered with the course of justice in some material respects. Actual interference with the course of justice is not required, provided that the making of the false statement was likely to cause such interference[187].

103.  Significantly, Mao had, as CC pointed out, made the following 2 material statements in his witness statement verified by his statement of truth i.e.

(1)  “A door B” was installed at the Opening in November 2012 at para 11.2[188] thereof (with sketch illustration exhibited as “MYF-2A” in Mao’s witness statement) and that “it was replaced” by the Glass Door in August/September 2013 at para 17[189] thereof (compare the Trial Findings at [19] and [74(1)] above); and

(2)  PIL had, after installing the Glass Door at the Opening at door B location “to replace an existing old door” in September 2013, “submitted to BA the Certificate of Completion” (exhibited as “MYF-5” to Mao’s witness statement) pursuant to “simplified requirements” of BO at para 17 & 18[190] thereof (compare the Trial Findings at [22] and [74(3)] above).

104.  Mao was at all material times a shareholder and director of FI, which owned Flat 9B, received the 2012 Order from BA in 2012 and arranged the installation of the Glass Door by its contractor at the Opening in August/September 2013.

105.  Considering the evidence adduced at the Trial and the Trial Findings, at the time of his signing his statement of truth in his witness statement for FI in about June 2019 (i.e. before FI succeeded in its striking out application 6 months later), Mao must, I think, have known of the falsity of, and had no honest belief of the truth of, the above 2 material statements and knew of their likelihood to interfere with the course of justice in these proceedings (i.e. when he gives evidence of them in the box in future orwhen Mok adopts them as his oral evidence in the box in future as per his witness statement for IO with similar contents[191] or in his supplemental witness statement, if any[192]).

106.  CC had, in March 2023, made clear to FI (and Mao) of its serious allegations that Mao’s evidence in above respects in his witness statement are false when it invited FI to apply to join as a party. After the Trial Judgment was handed down in August 2024, the Trial Findings contrary to Mao’s statement in these respects cannot, one think, escape Mao’s attention. In any event, Ng had specifically repeated the said serious allegation against Mao by repeating para 17 and 18 of Mao’s witness statement in section E of Ng’s 2nd Affirmation

107.  Nevertheless, in Mao’s 2nd Affirmation, Mao had, one notes, avoidedspecificallydealing with, or denying, these serious allegations raised by CC, including at para 34 thereof, where he no longerclaimed that 1) the Glass Door was installed “to replace an existing old door at door B [取代當時在乙門洞口使用的舊門]”, or that 2) “PIL had submitted to BA the Certificate of Completion”, as he saw fit to verify these omitted contents by his signed statement of truth in his witness statement for FI over 5 years ago.

108.  FI had avoided participating in the Trial. Mao had also avoided going into the witness stand at the Trial. But these false statements in Mao’s witness statement for FI, including the Certificate of Completion exhibited thereto as “MYF-5”, which statement was filed to Lands Tribunal in this litigation by FI’s then solicitors formerly also acting for IO in these proceedings, had found their way into the Trial as oral evidence of Mok, and as IO’s documentary evidence, for CC to tackle at the Trial.

109.  And the above false statements (and false document) sourced from Mao are also, one notes, part of IO’s case that Mok had opened, and closed, for IO at the Trial (to the knowledge of Mao as MC member as he had assisted Mok in this respect) that CC must rebut at the Trial in order to prevail. After all, the alleged discharge of the 2012 Order was said to be one of the reasons for MC passing the two MC Resolutions (and one of the 3 positive defence for IO defending these proceedings alone for FI’s benefit until the conclusion of the Trial).

110.  In order to deal with such false evidence and document adopted by Mok at the Trial (and sourced from FI or Mao) and not otherwise, CC had, I think, no choice but to have incurred substantial legal costs in amending NOA, in filing supplemental witness statements, in making enquiries with BA, in seeking and producing expert evidence, in cross-examining Mok and IO’s expert at the Trial[193], and in making factual and legal submissions on them.

111.  But not for Mao’s “serious impropriety” regarding these false evidence put forward by FI in these proceedings before FI ceased to be a party, all the above substantial costs incurred by CC as a result could well have been saved.

112.  Hence, I agree with CC, and conclude, that FI (or Mao) had committed serious impropriety in relation to these proceedings in bad faith, causing CC to incur legal costs unnecessarily in prosecuting these proceedings to its very end.

113.  Turning to CC’s “impropriety” case against SG, I first repeat my reasons and conclusions at section G above.

114.  Charged with the conduct of IO’s case at the Trial as MC Chairman in his capacity as SG’s AR, I regret to conclude that Mok had pursued IO’s defence at the Trial knowingly that it was false in material respects mentioned above, and that he called IO’s sole factual witness at the Trial knowing that his own evidence was also false in material respects mentioned above. Of course, Mok had also signed statement of truth to verify contents of his witness statement.

115.  I can do no better than to repeat my observations about Mok’s credibility at the Trial i.e. there are so many discrepancies between his oral evidence and IO’s case on so many material respects that it is unheard of before. He had substantially revised his oral evidence in the stand as compared against contents of his witness statement and contents of documentary evidence adduced at the Trial [莫遭吳大律師盤問下,作出了大量和法團案情不一(或符合中紀案情)的招認,數量之多,所涉的關鍵之處之多,實屬少見。仔細比較,莫的庭上證供,和他的證人陳述書内容,在關鍵之處多處前後不一(莫大幅度修改或撤回其證人陳述書經他簽署屬實申述確認的眾多關鍵内容),也與呈堂關鍵文件的内容不符][194].

116.  At the trial, IO had, I find, put forward Mok, a witness “full of lies” [滿口謊言], “seeking to deceive this Tribunal” [嘗試欺瞞審裁處] “in an attempt to delay further the rectification of Subject UBWs” [企圖進一步拖延該違章建築的更正][195].

117.  Mok’s impropriety in this litigation − including his giving of false evidence and knowingly running a false defence – and his bad faith in conducting and maintaining IO’s false defence by means of false evidence have undoubtedly, I agree with CC, compelled (or caused) CC to continue these proceedings through to the conclusion of the Trial, incurring unnecessarily substantial costs in the process.

118.  CC has therefore also made out Ground 3 against SG and FI. Again, I leave to “discretion” section below to consider whether this ground and/or other grounds established warrant me to exercise my discretion under s.12(2) of LTO.

O.  Manifestly unjust for CC to contribute its own costs of these proceedings

119.  In support of this ground, Ng at para 36 and 37 of Ng’s 2nd Affirmation relied on the following facts (I accept them as they are not opposed by Mok or Mao in their affirmations filed for the Summons), namely that:

(1)  On IO’s balance sheet as at 30 June 2024, IO’s net asset is only $209,892 and most of IO’s current assets are “receivable”[196] (one should add that, on IO’s income and expenditure account for the month of June 2024, “management fee” in the sum of $170,000 odd makes up most of IO’s income and its net income for that month is only $51,000 odd after deducting total operating expenses of $122,000 odd[197]);

(2)  at annual general meeting of IO held on 27 June 2019 (shortly after FI and IO filed their respective NOOs by the same firm), the owners of the Building had veto a resolution setting up a “legal fund” proposed by MC for recent litigations[198];

(3)  5 months odd later, MC, in its meeting held on 5 December 2019 (shortly after CC discontinued its claim against Top Property and a week odd before its claim against FI was struck out) and attended by Mok, Mao, Hung and 2 others members, resolved unanimously that all owners should contribute to legal costs of litigations by way of “management fees” apportioned as per their shares set out in the DMC after judgment or at the relevant moment (the Contribution MC Resolution)[199];

(4)  CC, as owner of Flats 2AB, holds 40 out of total 396 shares of the Building in the DMC while CDL, controlled by Ng, holds another 28 shares as owner of Flats 11AB; and

(5)  but not for non-party costs order made against FS or SG, it is therefore likely that CC (and CDL) would be required to contribute by way of “management fees” as per its (or their) shares in the DMC towards paying its own costs of these proceedings awarded against IO after its successful prosecution of these proceedings.

120.  Therefore, the factual premises of CC for Ground 4 has, I think, been made out on the evidence before this Tribunal.

121.  In its submissions, CC, it stressed, began these proceedings in the interest of all owners of the Building, in order to compel IO to comply with its duties under the DMC and BMO. Due to, said CC, misconducts of SG and FI, these proceedings against IO had to be pursued until the conclusion of the Trial before CC prevailed. Were non-party costs not awarded against SG and FI, it would, CC argued on the above facts, result in a manifestly unjust outcome – where CC (and its related company i.e. CDL), despite being the successful party at the Trial and through no fault of its own, would be unfairly penalized and required to bear its own costs[200].

122.  In opposing this ground, SG argued that any alleged costs unfairness to CC as CC might suggest does not per se justify making a non-party costs order against it.

(1)  Were it otherwise, SG submitted, it would make an unlawful inroad to the principle of “limited liability”, making a director handling the unsuccessful defence on behalf of a company personally liable to pay the costs of opposing shareholder after its corporate dispute with the company.

(2)  Alternatively, it would, said SG, make every chairman of management committee acting on the collective decisions of the committee personally liable to pay the costs of unsuccessful defence of an owners’ corporation after its litigation with an owner[201].

123.  Relying on [58]-[62] of judgment of UK Supreme Court in XYZ v Travelers Insurance Co Ltd [2019] 1 WLR 6075 (XYZ case), FI also opposed Ground 4 by submitting that any imbalance in cost liabilities caused by a losing party’s impecuniosity only supports a non-party costs order if that imbalance arose from the non-party’s conduct. But CC produced, said FI, no evidence to show that FI is the reason that IO lacks sufficient fund, necessitating it seeking contributions from all owners to pay legal costs.

124.  FI next argued, by reference to [60]-[61] of XYZ case, that a party cannot rely on another’s impecuniosity to justify non-party costs liability if it knew about the asymmetry beforehand yet still chose to incur expenses litigating. CC, said FI, had known as early as on 5 December 2019 that IO had to resort to “management fees” payable by all owners to pay for its legal costs for litigation[202].

125.  With respect, XYZ case does not, I think, assist FI much on this ground. I give the following reasons.

(1)  The appeal, and the issues for the Supreme Court to decide, in XYZ case concerns in what circumstances a non-party costs order could be made against a liability insurer and whether it was rightly so made in the particular circumstances of the appeal[203]. That is, I think, far removed from the different issues, and the different circumstances, of our case over (as FI stressed) a building management dispute between an owner and its owners’ corporation.

(2)  The Supreme Court did not, one notes, set out in its judgment to reassess comprehensively principles generally applicable on non-party costs order application but to focus on particular principles applicable to liability insurer[204].

(3)  [58]-[62] of the judgment in XYZ case relied by FI concern “asymmetry – lack of reciprocity” [205] as between uninsured claimants and liability insurer in relation to costs risk, which risk arose in that case from, I think, completely different circumstances[206]than those relied by CC above said to make CC liable as an owner of the Building to contribute to IO’s funds (or management fees) to pay its costs of these proceedings.

(4)  The two points FI had raised by reference to XYZ case really concern, I think, causative link between the incurring of costs sought to be recovered from the non-party and such conduct of the non-party said to warrant non-party costs order, which goes in turn to whether it is in the interest of justice to grant the costs order sought[207].

126.  This Tribunal therefore finds it more appropriate to consider this causation point raised by FI in “discretion” section below, where I am obliged on the case law to consider whether it is in the interest of justice on Ground 4 and/or other grounds established to grant the costs orders sought against FI and SG.

127.  But, let me make a few observations here first.

(1)  CC had, I think, made no complaint at all in the entirety of its submissions that FI and/or SG had by any wrongful conduct caused IO to arrive at the financial situations as was shown by its balance sheet as at 30 June 2024.

(2)  Certainly, CC (or Ng) knew about the Contribution MC Resolution as early as from December 2019. So did, one thinks, FI (or Mao) and SG (or Mok).

(3)  Given the limited size of IO’s net assets[208] and that its main source of income being management fees, one imagines, even without the passing of the Contribution MC Resolution in December 2019, IO would also have to resort to contributions from all owners, including calling general meeting in future to pass necessary resolution, in order to raise necessary funds to pay any substantial costs of these proceedings, if any, awarded to CC after the Trial.

(4)  With the passing of the Contribution MC Resolution, CC, SG and FI all knew as from December 2019 that any costs ordered payable by IO to CC for these proceedings after IO fails in its defence would be met in part from “management fees” to be contributed by CC (and CDL) as per shares in the DMC (but that CC would get from nowhere any contribution to pay legal costs of IO should it fail in its claim and is ordered to pay IO’s costs in these proceedings);

(5)  Under ss.20(2) and 22(1)(a) of BMO, the amount to be contributed by an owner towards any contingency fund established by a corporation shall be fixed by the management committee in accordance with the deed of mutual covenant.

(6)  And liability of CC to contribute to IO’s funds to meet any costs order awarded against IO is, I think inherent in CC’s status as an owner of the Building (though its size varies depending on the amount of costs awarded against IO) in the financial situation of IO.

(7)  The said costs contribution liability of an owner above would, I think, likely to be found in the majority[209] (if not all) of building management proceedings between an owner and its corporation that comes before the Lands Tribunal for resolution from time to time.

128.  Moving to SG’s opposing submissions on this ground, for similar reason of different context of building management in our case, I do not find it particularly helpful or suitable to apply the principle of “limited liability” to our case as SG had submitted.

129.  Similarly, for reason of different context, I do not find the two cases of 1) Goldberg v Primelodge [2023] Costs LR 469 and 2) TransomasLtd v Kheri Trading Ltd [2024] EWHC 1349 (Ch) cited by CC to support this ground entirely helpful or suitable, and I therefore do not address SG’s submissions in its skeleton on them.

130.  In substance, SG’s submission, I think, also goes to whether Ground 4 alone justifies this Tribunal exercising its discretion under s.12(2) of LTO. Save except to give my observations at [127] above, I also defer my consideration of the remaining “undisposed” parts of SG’s submissions on this ground to “discretion” section below.

P.  Lack of timeous warning to SG

131.  This is the last of SG’s submissions. CC’s failure to give a timeous warning of seeking non-party costs order against SG is, SG submitted, a material factor militating against the costs order sought in the Summons against it.

132.  It is common ground that CC had given no prior warning of this costs application to SG (or Mok) before it took out the Summons in August 2024.

133.  An important purpose of a timeous warning is to alert the non-party to the risks of being personally liable for the legal costs so that he may give due consideration to whether to play, or continue to play, a role in the proceedings and, if so, the extent of it, before taking any or any further step in the proceedings: [92] of Edwin Leung case, per Chu JA (as she then was).

134.  However, absence of a warning to the non-party is simply one factor which the court will take into account in an appropriate case when deciding, whether, viewed overall, it would be unjust to exercise the discretion in favour of making an order for costs against the third party: [12] of Ng Yuk Pui case, per L. Chan J[210]. The importance of a warning varies from case to case and it might depend on the extent to which it would have affected the course of the proceedings: [73] of Big Island case, per Au Yeung J[211].

135.  If the third party against whom an order for costs is sought is the real party to the litigation, the absence of a warning may be of little consequence: [32] of Deutsche Bank case, per Moore-Bick LJ. Given my earlier finding that SG is a “real party” to these proceedings, this principle applies, I think, against SG.

136.  Moreover, it is not open to a third party who had decided to pursue a claim with dishonest evidence in an attempt to deceive the court to complain that it has received no warning beforehand. The third party must bear the consequences of its futile deceitful exercise: [74] of Big Island case, per Au Yeung J[212]. Again, on my earlier findings of “impropriety” against SG, this principle, I think, also applies against SG in our case.

137.  In any event, Mok never, I note, said in Mok’s Affirmation that he (or SG) would have acted otherwise than he (or it) did had he (or SG) received any timeous warning from CC beforehand.

138.  As with Ground 4 and other grounds above, I will leave this one factor to be considered together with other factors in “discretion” section below, where I will consider the ultimate question whether it is just to make the order sought in the Summons.

Q.  Discretion exercised against SG and FI in these proceedings in the interests of justice

139.  Considering all grounds (for Ground 4, at least its factual premises) made out by CC, the causation and warning points raised by FI and SG respectively, in the round, on the authorities cited, and for reasons given, in the last section, I first decide to give no weight to the warning point made by SG.

140.  After careful consideration, Ground 4 per se, I agree with SG, is insufficient to warrant a non-party costs order against SG for my observations at [127] above. Put simply, this is a ground that could apply “across the board” in almost every building management dispute between an owner and its owners’ corporation.

141.  I also agree with causation point raised by FI against Ground 4. CC had not complained, nor proven by evidence, that any alleged misconducts of SG or FI had turned IO into its financial situation as at 30 June 2024. After all, CC had engaged in other costly proceedings with IO (e.g. LDBM 118/2017 over Flat 9A) at the same time of these proceedings. Moreover, after, and knowing, the passing of the Contribution MC Resolution in December 2019, CC, as FI submitted, still pressed on incurring great costs to prosecute these proceedings to its end. As such, Ground 4 is, as I hold above, insufficient on its own for the purpose of the Summons.

142.  Considering the way CC put forward them, Ground 1 and Ground 2 are, I note, intertwined, as Ground 1 also requires effective control of SG and FI over MC complained in Ground 2. I therefore find it appropriate to consider them together.

143.  On Ground 1 and Ground 2 combined against FI, I beg to differ from FI’s incorrect description at para 3 to 7 of its skeleton of the circumstances of the subject tripartite building management dispute among CC, IO and FI over Subject UBWs.

144.  The true circumstances on all the cogent evidence before this Tribunal adduced at the Trial and on the Summons, together with the Trial Findings, are that IO had sided with FI over Subject UBWs in FI’s favour and defended these proceedings caused by FI and SG to its very end for their benefit and to the detriment of all owners (as MC was under their joint control of FI and SG) in total disregard of IO’s duties under the DMC and BMO and in deliberate breach of the same. FI (not IO), is, as I find, a “real party” to these proceedings.

145.  Regarding CC’s case on Ground 1 and Ground 2 combined against SG, in contra-distinction from the general scenario postulated by SG at [122(2)] above, by way of added features to our case, Mok, as MC Chairman by way of SG’s AR to MC, misconducted himself over removal of Subject UBWs, controlled MC together with Mao (and Hung) to side with FI, and caused IO to defend, and to continue defending, these proceedings alone for FI’s (and his) benefit until its conclusion in total disregard of IO’s duties under BO, the DMC and BMO. SG (not IO), as I find, is a “real party” to these proceeding as well.

146.  This Tribunal at all times remembers protection given to a member of a management committee under former s.29A(1) of BMO that prevailed prior to 13 July 2025[213] (i.e. before commencement of Building Management (Amendment) Ordinance 2024). But, on my findings above, Mok as MC Chairman had, I regret, not to have acted in good faith or in a reasonable manner over Subject UBWs and these proceedings.

147.  All things considered, I find it in the interests of justice to exercise my discretion under s.12(2) of LTO against SG and FI on Ground 1 and Ground 2 together.

148.  For the record, let me make it clear that there is sufficient causal link between misconducts of FI and of SG on Ground 1 and Ground 2 and CC’s costs of these proceedings now sought to be recovered from them under the Summons.

149.  Moving to Ground 3, on the authorities and in the particular circumstances of this case, this ground alone, I conclude, is also sufficient to warrant me exercising my discretion against SG and FI.

150.  It is, I think, just and reasonable to hold FI and SG responsible for their serious improprieties in these proceedings, which have caused CC to have unnecessarily incurred substantial costs in order to overcome the false evidence and document adduced by, and the false defence of, IO in these proceedings conducted by Mok (as AR of SG) but with their origin from Mao (of FI).

151.  Were I wrong on either my conclusion in [147] or [149] above, I am also convinced that it is in the interests of justice to make non-party costs order against SG and FI as sought in the Summons on Ground 1, Ground 2 and Ground 3 together.

152.  Were I still wrong on my conclusion in the preceding paragraph, I also find it just on Grounds 1 to Ground 4 combined to exercise my discretion to make SG and FI personally liable to pay CC the costs of these proceedings payable by IO to it after the Trial.

153.  While Ground 4 alone is insufficient for the above purpose, it adds, I think, weight to CC’s overall case on the Summons.

154.  The outcome envisaged on Ground 4, I agree with CC, is unjust, if not manifestly unjust, in the particular circumstances of this building management dispute for the following reasons.

(1)  Grounds 1 to Ground 3, for which SG and FI are responsible, did, I find, cause CC to begin, and to continue for 5 years, these costly proceedings against IO to the conclusion of the Trial.

(2)  CC, I accept, began and continued these proceedings in the collective interest of all owners of the Building, at its own costs in compelling IO to enforce its duties under the DMC and BMO, and in removing fire safety risks posed by Subject UBWs (if not in compelling IO to comply with the MBIS Notice).

(3)  CC did emerge after the Trial as the successful party of these proceedings against IO, which became the losing party.

(4)  It has not been suggested by SG or FI as against Ground 4 raised by CC that CC had fault of any kind.

(5)  There is, however, no reciprocity as between CC and IO in terms of getting contribution for paying legal costs of its opponent in the event of its failure after the Trial. CC can get no contribution from IO if CC loses after the Trial, but IO could get partial contribution from CC if IO loses after the Trial.

(6)  Moreover, knowing of the above lack of reciprocity as between CC and IO latest from December 2019 when the Contribution MC Resolution was passed, SG and FI jointly controlled MC in arranging and ensuring IO to defend these proceedings to its very end with false defence, false and dishonest evidence and false document at the expense of CC in terms of legal costs.

(7)  In the above circumstances, the costs outcome to CC after its successful prosecution of these proceedings against IO is indeed, I agree, unjust if the “real parties” behind these proceedings are not required or ordered to compensate CC for the substantial costs that it had incurred for these proceedings for the common good.

R.  Disposition of the Summons

155.  On my conclusion in the last section, I therefore make the orders below on para 2 of the Summons: -

(1)  the 4th Respondent be ordered to pay personally the Applicant the costs of the Applicant in these proceedings i.e. such costs ordered by way of order nisi to be payable by the 1st Respondent to the Applicant pursuant to para 4 and 5 of the Judgment entered on 7 August 2024 as it was varied and made absolute by para 1 of an Order made on 7 October 2024;

(2)  the 5th Respondent be ordered to pay personally the Applicant the costs of the Applicant in these proceedings i.e. such costs ordered by way of order nisi to be payable by the 1st Respondent to the Applicant pursuant to para 4 and 5 of the Judgment entered on 7 August 2024 as it was varied and made absolute by para 1 of an Order made on 7 October 2024; and

(3)  solicitors for the Applicant do draft, file and serve all orders in this decision on the 1st Respondent, the 4th Respondent and the 5th Respondent.

S.  Costs of the Summons

156.  Costs normally follow the event.

157.  As between the Applicant and the 4th Respondent, I make my first costs order nisi that all the costs of and incidental to the Summons, including all reserved costs and the costs of the hearing on 28 April 2025, together with certificate for two counsels for the Applicant, be paid by the 4th Respondent to the Applicant, to be taxed on High Court scale if not agreed.

158.  And, as between the Applicant and the 5th Respondent, I make my second costs order nisi that all the costs of and incidental to the Summons, including all reserved costs and the costs of the hearing on 28 April 2025, together with certificate for two counsels for the Applicant, be paid by the 5th Respondent to the Applicant, to be taxed on High Court scale if not agreed.

159.  Each of the above two costs order nisi shall become absolute if no application to vary the same is taken out by the parties concerned after expiry of 14 days from the handing down of this decision.

  (Lee Siu-ho)
District Judge
Presiding Officer
Lands Tribunal

Lawrence KF NG leading Henry CHENG, instructed by C.W. Chan & Co., for the Applicant

Mike LUI SC leading Cristian TSANG, instructed by Fred Kan & Co., for the 4th Respondent

Anson WONG Yu Yat leading Jonathan IP, instructed by V. Hau & Chow, for the 5th Respondent



[1]  Cap.344

[2]  Centre Chase Investment Limited, abbreviated as “中紀” in the Trial Judgment.

[3]  The Incorporated Owners of International Industrial Building, abbreviated as “法團” in the Trial Judgment

[4]  Together with certificate for 2 counsels for the Trial, after CC successfully applied to vary it on 7 October 2024

[5]  [2024] HKLdT 66, costs order nisi at [239] & [240]

[6]  abbreviated as “樂園” in the Trial Judgment.

[7]  abbreviated as “群星” in the Trial Judgment.

[8]  Cap.17. S.12(1) & (2) of LTO are not materially different from s.52A(1) & (2) of High Court Ordinance, Cap.4, and all legal teams before me cited authorities on them and their UK and overseas equivalents.

[9]  As shall be seen below, FI objected to admissibility of Trial Findings as against it in the determination of the Summons.

[10]  [3], [5] & [18] of Trial Judgment

[11]  伍顯中abbreviated as “伍” in the Trial Judgment.

[12]  康強發展有限公司

[13]  [3] of Trial Judgment

[14]  莫泮光 abbreviated as “莫” in the Trial Judgment

[15]  授權代表

[16]  [2] & [18] of Trial Judgment

[17]  茅幼方abbreviated as “茅” in the Trial Judgment

[18]  森德利有限公司

[19]  茅氏國際有限公司

[20]  孔玉貞abbreviated as “孔” in the Trial Judgment

[21]  [5] of Trial Judgment

[22]  Top Property Services Co. Ltd. (置佳物業服務有限公司), abbreviated as “置佳” in the Trial Judgment

[23]  pursuant to r.26 of Lands Tribunal Rules, Cap.17A

[24]  abbreviated as “該防護門廊” in Trial Judgment

[25]  abbreviated as “該洞口” in Trial Judgment. Its location is called “【乙門】”

[26]  abbreviated as “該玻璃門” in Trial Judgment. Its location is also “【乙門】”

[27]  [10], [14], [19], [20], sections I1, I3, & I8 of Trial Judgment

[28]  Cap.123

[29]  Section I3 of Trial Judgment

[30]  LDBM 148/2013

[31]  [14], [20], [55], [58-61], sections I3 & I4, and [150] of Trial Judgment

[32]  abbreviated as “該違章建築” in Trial Judgment

[33]  Sections J5-J7 of Trial Judgment

[34]  Sections J1, J2 & J10 of Trial Judgment

[35]  Section J3, J4, J8 of Trial Judgment

[36]  Section I2 of Trial Judgment

[37]  利銀國際有限公司

[38]  Cap.123N

[39]  [14], [21], [152-153], section I6, and [157] of Trial Judgment

[40]  [16], [22], [92-93], [117], sections J11 & J12 of Trial Judgment

[41]  Section L of Trial Judgment

[42]  [64]. [67-69], [71], [80], [82-84], [88] & Section I7 of Trial Judgment

[43]  abbreviated as “藝建” in the Trial Judgment

[44]  abbreviated as “郭浩” in the Trial Judgment

[45]  [12], [15], [75-77],[90-91], [94-96], [98-99], section K, and [237] of Trial Judgment

[46]  Sections M & O of Trial Judgment

[47]  [17], [24], and section N of Trial Judgment

[48]  Their order as submitted by CC have been rearranged by this Tribunal

[49]  Section H of CC’s skeleton

[50]  Section G of CC’s skeleton

[51]  Section F of CC’s skeleton

[52]  Section I of CC’s skeleton

[53]  Section D of CC’s skeleton, section C of FI’s skeleton, section C of SG’s skeleton, and section A, D & E of CC’s reply skeleton

[54]  See also [24] of Dymocks case at 2815H.

[55]  Citing, among others, R+V Versicherung AG v Risk Insurance & Reinsurance Solutions SA [2006] EWCA Civ 314 at [15] & [16], per Chadwick LJ

[56]  Citing Goknur v Aytacli [2021] 4 WLR 101, [2021] EWCA Civ 1037 (Goknur case), whose [40] was cited with approval by Mimmie Chan J. at [11] of Hydrotech Waterproofing Solutions Ltd v Shun Yuen Construction Co Ltd[2023] HKCFI 601

[57]  Citing Goknur case, Symphony case

[58]  Explaining Symphony case and citing Dymocks case at [19] & [20]

[59]  Citing [62] of Deutsche Bank case, per Moore-Bick LJ

[60]  Agreed by Ward LJ and Lloyd LJ

[61]  Having considered, inter alia, Symphony case, Dymocks case, and Metalloy case

[62]  unreported, HCA 8805/1993, 20 December 2007

[63]  Para 16 of SG’s skeleton

[64]  “莫主席”、“莫泮光主席”、“主席莫泮光”

[65]  Para 17 of SG’s skeleton

[66]  Para 18 of SG’s skeleton

[67]  unreported, LDBM 208/2002, 17 February 2005

[68]  Bundle for the 2nd stage hearing of the Summons (HB) p.333

[69]  HB p.339

[70]  Trial Bundle (TB) p.759

[71]  HB p.747

[72]  HB p.150

[73]  Section C3 of FI’s skeleton

[74]  HB p.93, para 16(4) of Ng’s 2nd Affirmation

[75]  HB pp.148-157

[76]  HB pp.706-727

[77]  HB pp.572-574

[78]  HB pp.576-588

[79]  HB p.589

[80]  HB p.593

[81]  HB pp.590-591

[82]  HB pp.455-457

[83]  HB pp.458-461

[84]  HB p.108-14

[85]  HB pp.382-383, 385-387

[86]  HB pp.398-401, 403-405, 407-413

[87]  Centre Chase Investment Ltd v International Industrial Building, Castle Peak Road (IO) [2021] 5 HKLRD 457, [15.1], [15.2] per Yuen JA

[88]  HB p.465

[89]  HB pp.745-760

[90]  It reads: “The Tribunal may admit in evidence any statement, document, information or matter, whether or not it would otherwise be admissible in evidence and attach such weight to it as may be appropriate in the circumstances (italics supplied)”.

[91]  [63] of Trial Judgment. HB p.686. It became part of exhibit “MPK-6” of Mok’s witness statement for IO.

[92]  HB pp.687-689. It also became part of exhibit “MPK-6” of Mok’s witness statement for IO.

[93]  HB p.162(enclosing Amended Reply of CC) & p.731

[94]  HB p.496[116], p.497[118] & p.511[165], found at pp.913-914 of Trial Bundle

[95]  Centre Chase Investment Ltd v International Industrial Building, Castle Peak Road (IO) [2021] 5 HKLRD 457

[96]  HB pp.160-161 (enclosing Amended NOA of CC)

[97]  Deutsche Bank case was decided in 2015 And Big Island case was decided in 2018.

[98]  FI orally complained as late as on 28 April 2025 hearing that CC’s solicitors’ two letters to FI dated 21 November 2022 and 9 March 2023 gave no warning of seeking non-party costs order against FI. It should, however, be noted that Mao never responded to these 2 letters in Mao’s 2nd Affirmation to suggest that any such warning from CC would have caused FI to have acted differently as it did, such as applying to join as a party to these proceedings afterwards.

[99]  [70] of Trial Judgment, HB pp.763-766

[100]  As events unfolded from August to December 2024 to be mentioned below, it did not take long for FI to comply with CC’s demands. Nor did FI complain to IO of any difficulty or great expenses in doing so.

[101]  [90] of Trial Judgment

[102]  [95] of Trial Judgment, HB p.773

[103]  [102] of Trial Judgment

[104]  Section D3 of FI’s skeleton

[105]  HB p.256 (IO to FI dated 26 August 2024), p.257 (FI to IO dated 6 September 2024), p.258 (FI to IO dated 12 September 2024), pp.642-646 (CC to IO dated 7 November 2024 copied to FI), p.259 (IO to FI dated 8 November 2024), pp.648-649 (IO to FI dated 13 November 2024 copied to CC), p.647 (IO to CC dated 13 November 2024 copied to FI), pp.651-652 (FI to IO dated 21 November 2024 copied to CC), pp.542-543 (FI to manager of the Building dated 13 December 2024 coped to MC), pp.544-551 (FI to manager of the Building dated 18 December 2024 coped to MC, enclosing certificate of completion of Class I minor works)

[106]  HB p.568

[107]  “因為除非法團成功抗辯,樂園並沒有任何【得益】可言”

[108]  [92] & [117] of Trial Judgment

[109]  [93] of Trial Judgment

[110]  To put the record straight, CC never sought an order in these proceedings compelling IOitself to restore 9/F to its original state.

[111]  [64] of Trial Judgment

[112]  [67-69], [75-77] & [211] of Trial Judgment

[113]  [71], [80], [82-84], [213-214] of Trial Judgment

[114]  [66] of Trial Judgment

[115]  [238] of Trial Judgment

[116]  [50], [51], section F5, 附件1,[143(4)], sections J5-J7 of Trial Judgment

[117]  [111], section J10 of Trial Judgment

[118]  S.18(1)(c) of BMO reads “… do all things reasonably necessary for the enforcement of the obligations contained in the deed of mutual covenant (if any) for the control, management and administration of the building”

[119]  S.18(1)(b) of BMO reads “…carry out such work as may be ordered or required in respect of the common parts by any public officer or public body in exercise of the powers conferred by any Ordinance”

[120]  Section D3b of FI’s skeleton

[121]  [145] & [147(4)] of Trial Judgment

[122]  [154(1)] of Trial Judgment

[123]  [147] of Trial Judgment

[124]  [148], [149] of Trial Judgment

[125]  [113], [152], [153] of Trial Judgment

[126]  HB p.755

[127]  HB p.152

[128]  [92], [93] of Trial Judgment

[129]  [154] of Trial Judgment

[130]  Centre Chase Investment Ltd v International Building (Castle Peak Road) (IO) (No 3) [2025] 1 HKLRD 532, [46] per Cheung JA

[131]  Section J of Trial Judgment

[132]  Section N of Trial Judgment, especially [226(2)&(3)], [232(3)], [232(5)&(6)] of Trial Judgment

[133]  Centre Chase Investment Ltd v International Industrial Building, Castle Peak Road (IO) [2021] 5 HKLRD 457, [14-19] per Yuen JA

[134]  HB pp.163-165

[135]  Failing such joinder of FI as third party, on top of new ground like issue estoppel and/or abuse of process raised by FI against IO, FI might require IO to re-litigate every issue already decided in these proceedings when IO is compelled by the Trial Judgment to take separate proceedings against FI afterwards.

[136]  Sections D1 & D2 of FI’s skeleton

[137]  Section E & G of SG’s skeleton

[138]  [133(3)] of Trial Judgment

[139]  HB p.585

[140]  [147(2)-(4)] of Trial Judgment

[141]  [148] of Trial Judgment

[142]  [68] of Trial Judgment, HB p.92, para 16(1) of Ng’s 2nd Affirmation and Exhibit “NHC-17”

[143]  HB p.341-343

[144]  14 votes (or 260 shares) for resolution proposed as agenda one as against 9 invalid votes (or 131 shares) on it (i.e. not 9 abstain as claimed by Mok at para 26(1) of Mok’s Affirmation)

[145]  HB p.419

[146]  HB pp.419 & 421

[147]  HB p.420

[148]  Abbreviated as “該41案” in Trial Judgment

[149]  See minute of MC meeting (attended by Mao as 12/F representative) dated 20 March 2017 at HB pp.364-368

[150]  [17], footnote 11, [18], [133(2)] of Trial Judgment

[151]  HB pp.364-368, see also MC meeting held on 27 July 2017 at HB pp.370-374

[152]  The last of them on 15 May 2017

[153]  HB pp.767-769

[154]  [133(4)] of Trial Judgment

[155]  HB pp.345-348

[156]  HB p.354

[157]  HB p.356-357

[158]  HB p.359

[159]  HB p.362

[160]  [211] of Trial Judgment

[161]  [75-77], [212-213] of Trial Judgment

[162]  became CACV No.96/2021 on appeal

[163]  HB pp.194-229

[164]  HB p.555-557

[165]  [82-84]. [88], [214-215] of Trial Judgment

[166]  HB p.637

[167]  [85] of Trial Judgment

[168]  [133(4)] of Trial Judgment

[169]  [72], [86], [90] of Trial Judgment

[170]  HB p.773, [95] of Trial Judgment

[171]  [220] of Trial Judgment

[172]  HB p.774

[173]  [91], [94], [96] of Trial Judgment

[174]  [98], [99], [216-217] of Trial Judgment

[175]  [219(3)], [219(5)], [237] of Trial Judgment

[176]  [207-209] of Trial Judgment

[177]  [210], [238] of Trial Judgment

[178]  [237] of Trial Judgment

[179]  [237] of Trial Judgment

[180]  [104], [105], [107-108], [112], [160], [219(4)], [237] of Trial Judgment

[181]  Taken from para 23 of Mok’s Affirmation

[182]  [62] and section I6 of Trial Judgment

[183]  [133(3)] of Trial Judgment. The false evidence recorded in many parts of Mok’s witness statement, and Mok’s dishonest and evasive oral evidence at the Trial, reinforced my views: see section N below.

[184]  Section F of SG’s skeleton

[185]  Section D4 of FI’s skeleton

[186]  Cap.4A

[187]  Hong Kong Civil Procedure 2025, Volume 1, p.1026, commentary para 41A/9/1

[188]  HB p.750

[189]  HB p.754

[190]  HB p.755

[191]  See para 5.2, 15 and 16 (including Exhibit “MPK-6”) of Mok’s witness statement for IO at HB pp.654 and 657. Included in “MPK-6” are BA 2014 Letter and the Certificate of Completion, found at pp.503-511 of Trial Bundle.

[192]  See para 8 & 9 of Mok’s supplemental witness statement at HB pp.668-669, especially last 3 sentences of para 9, which read: “而在提供關於反對通知書的指示時,法團只依賴9B業主事後提供的表述,從而得出當時補救工程應為小型工程的結論 (bold supplied)”。

[193]  [73], [74], [78], [79], [81], [101], [113], [119-121], [136] of Trial Judgment

[194]  [133(1)] of Trial Judgment

[195]  [237] of Trial Judgment

[196]  HB p.230

[197]  HB p.231

[198]  HB p.234, 134 shares voted for the resolution while 188 shares voted against it.

[199]  HB p.238

[200]  Para 52 of CC’s skeleton

[201]  Section H of SG’s skeleton

[202]  Section E2 of FI’s skeleton

[203]  6077H-6078B, [2], per Lord Briggs JSC (with whom Lady Black and Lord Kitchin JJSC agreed)

[204]  [30], per Lord Briggs JSC

[205]  It describes a situation where one side faces having to pay the other side’s costs if it loses, but the other side faces no such risk if it loses. Put the other way round, one side gets its costs if it wins, but not the other side if it wins: [20], [58], per Lord Briggs JSC

[206]  It arose for uninsured claimants in XYZ case because 1) their claims are outside cover provided by insurer; 2) the insured later went into insolvent administration; 3) their claims were made in group litigation together with claims of insured claimants providing for entitlement to recover costs on several, and not joint, basis; and 4) after disclosure of insurance cover of the insured, they nonetheless carried on hoping to get non-party costs order against the insurer if they succeed in their claims against the insured: [12], [61], [82], per Lord Briggs JSC

[207]  [65], [74], [80], [83], per Lord Briggs JSC. Lord Reed DPSC opined at [84], [106]-[112] that “exceptionality” is not a necessary pre-condition of an award of non-party costs order, explaining what Lord Goff in Aiden Shipping Co Ltd v Interbulk [1986] AC 965, 980F, meant was that cases in which it is just to make a non-party costs order form only a small proportion of the total. “Exceptionality” means no more than outside ordinary run of case: see [39] & [51] above.

[208]  Under s.17(1) of BMO, execution of a judgment or order made against a corporation may be issued (a) against any property of the corporation, or (b) with leave of the tribunal, against any owner.

[209]  An owners’ corporation could have, one imagines, funding from its liability insurer or from particular owner(s), sufficient assets of its own, or sufficiently large income source(s) other than owners’ contributions or management fees to pay legal costs awarded against it. But such situations are, I think, relatively rare, except, perhaps, for third party liability insurance over common parts and property of corporation, which is compulsory for owners’ corporations under s.28(1) of BMO.

[210]  Quoting [62] of Deutsche Bank case, per Moore-Bick LJ, who in turned referred to Dymocks case

[211]  Citing [32] of Deutsche Bank case, per Moore-Bick LJ, who in turned referred to Dymocks case

[212]  Citing R+V Versicherung AG v Risk Insurance & Reinsurance Solutions SA [2006] EWCA Civ 314 at [18] & [19], per Chadwick LJ

[213]  It reads: “No member of a management committee, acting in good faith and in a reasonable manner, shall be personally liable for any act done or default made by or on behalf of the corporation —(a) in the exercise or purported exercise of the powers conferred by this Ordinance on the corporation; or (b) in the performance or purported performance of the duties imposed by this Ordinance on the corporation (italics supplied)”.

[2024] HKLdT 66-CH-2024-08-07

中紀投資有限公司 對 青山道國際工業大廈業主立案法團

HTML content

LDBM 256/2018

[2024] HKLdT 66

香港特別行政區

土地審裁處

建築物管理申請編號2018年第256宗

_________________

中紀投資有限公司申請人
及
青山道國際工業大廈業主立案法團第一答辯人
置佳物業服務有限公司第二答辯人
(已中止)
海上樂園有限公司第三答辯人
(已中止)

_________________

主審法官:土地審裁處法官李紹豪
審訊日期:2023年9月18至22日及2024年2月7日
判案書日期:2024年8月7日

_________________

判 案 書

_________________

A 前言

1.  答辯人(前身為第一答辯人)為依《建築物管理條例》[1](條例)註冊成立的青山道國際工業大廈(該大廈)業主立案法團(法團)。該大廈的公契於1976年6月22日在土地註冊處登記(該公契)。該大廈(包括地下及1至12樓)共有13層,除了地下只有A室一單位外,1至12樓各有A室及B室兩個單位。2019年8月31日前,法團聘請置佳物業服務有限公司(置佳)管理該大廈,置佳是本案原第二答辯人。

2.  法團在本審訊親自行事,由其管理委員會(管委會)主席莫泮光先生(莫)作為授權代表出庭應訊,莫自2009年便擔任管委會的主席。

3.  申請人中紀投資有限公司(中紀)自2003年5月13日登記成為該大廈2樓A及B單位(分稱2A單位及2B單位)的業主。關鍵時段,中紀的實質控制人是伍顯中先生(伍),伍也是中紀的董事。關鍵時段,伍對擁有該大廈11樓A及B單位(分稱11A單位及11B單位)的康強發展有限公司(康強)也持有實質控制權,也是康強的董事。2007至2011年、2011至2015年,及2015至2017年期間,伍分別代表中紀出任管委會的委員、副主席及委員。2018年12月本申請開展時,伍不再是管委會的委員。

4.  中紀在本審訊中,由吳港發大律師(吳大律師)及鄭瀚之大律師代表。

5.  自2011年4月27日,海上樂園有限公司(樂園)便登記成為該大廈9樓B單位(9B單位)的業主,樂園是本案原第三答辯人。關鍵時段,茅幼方先生(茅)是樂園的股東及董事,也是擁有該大廈9樓A單位(9A單位)的森德利有限公司(森德利)(及擁有該大廈12樓A單位及B單位的茅氏國際有限公司(茅氏))的股東及董事。約2015年後,茅作為樂園及茅氏的授權代表擔任管委會的委員。茅的私人秘書孔玉貞女士(孔),也約在2015年後作為森德利的授權代表擔任管委會的委員。

B. 紛爭概覽

6.  中紀指,法團違反自身在該公契及條例第18(1)條下的責任,漠視屋宇署就該大廈公用部分發出的強制驗樓通知(驗樓通知),容許樂園在9B單位毗鄰公用部分構建違章建築,違反該公契、條例、《建築物條例》[2](建例)及其附屬法例等。

7.  中紀要求土地審裁處(審裁處)頒令,強制法團針對樂園執行該公契及條例(包括對樂園採取法律行動)要求還原公用部分及禁止再加建類似的違章建築。

8.  莫陳詞,法團就聲稱違章建築一事沒有失職,法團曾就此向樂園提訴,後達成和解協議。樂園也已進行工程履行協議,獲屋宇署檢查後撤銷相關命令。莫稱,中紀現控告法團,實質挑戰屋宇署的執法,並不恰當。還有,法團有權(亦已)藉管委會議決批准樂園保留相關防火門。至於驗樓通知方面,法團一直而來積極跟進,並無怠慢。

9.  莫強調,伍為人品格行為不端,過去曾本人及透過其公司向法團及其委員等提訴多達7次,自身並非清白,提出本案也動機不良,審裁處實不應支持其申請或濟助要求。

C. 中紀案情

10.  中紀在《修訂申請通知書》[3]指,2015年7月,法團收到驗樓通知後,委任藝建工程顧問有限公司(藝建)為註冊檢驗人員。藝建的檢驗報告(驗樓報告)顯示,樂園在毗鄰9B單位的防護門廊[4](該防護門廊)的圍封牆壁(該圍牆)開鑿了一個約2.1米高乘1米闊的洞口(該洞口),並於該洞口安裝了一道約2.1米高乘1米闊並向該防護門廊方向推開的玻璃門(該玻璃門),利用該洞口作為9B單位來往該大廈9樓電梯大堂的唯一通道,並將該大廈原有批准建築圖則所示9B單位來往9樓電梯大堂的通道完全封閉(統稱該違章建築)。

11.  中紀稱,1) 該防護門廊及2) 該圍牆屬該公契及條例下的該大廈公用部分,及該大廈耐火結構及緊急逃生途徑的一部分。中紀稱,該違章建築違反了 (1) 該公契第10(a)、(c)及10(o)條;(2) 條例第34I(1)條;(3) 建例第14條;(4) 建例的附屬法例;及 (5)《2011年建築物消防安全守則》[5](該消防守則) 有關耐火結構及逃生途徑之規定。

12.  中紀再稱,它曾於2017年4月及5月三次(及其律師曾於2018年11月)就該違章建築向法團作出投訴,但法團至今仍拒絕採取任何行動,而該違章建築至今仍在。法團不但沒有按照驗樓報告内容對該違章建築採取行動,更於2016年11月把藝建解僱。2019年6月,法團對曾去信樂園要求還原該違章建築的置佳也發出警告信,其後也將置佳解僱。法團因此違反了條例第18(1)條,拒絕及沒有採取一切合理必須的措施,以執行該公契載明的關於建築物的控制、管理、行政事宜的責任。

13.  中紀請求審裁處針對法團頒令:「法團須立即執行該公契及條例賦予的權力,包括採取法律行動,針對違反該公契的樂園,要求還原該防護門廊,並將受損壞之公用部分及該防護門廊還原原狀,及禁止樂園再加建類似違章建築」。

D. 法團案情

14.  法團在《修訂反對通知書》[6]稱,它2012年發現與9B單位相鄰的防煙門廊[7]裝設了3道門(分稱【甲門】[8]、【乙門】[9]及【丙門】[10])後,已就【新加】的乙門洞口採取一切合理必需措施,以執行該公契下它的責任。它曾向屋宇署投訴,令該署2012年11月針對乙門洞口向樂園按建例第24(1)條發出命令(該命令)。2013年5月,它更入稟審裁處控告樂園(案件編號LDBM 148/2013(該案))要求履行該命令,雙方同年6月達成和解協議(該和解)。樂園也在2013年8至9月,在乙門洞口進行豁免工程,即安裝一道有1小時耐火時效的玻璃門(以取代當時在乙門使用的舊門),以履行該和解。建築事務監督(建督)經檢查後,更於2014年2月發信撤銷該命令。

15.  法團再稱,它一直積極處理驗樓通知,曾多次招標聘請工程顧問。2021年5月,它聘請了遠東建築師樓有限公司(遠東),2021年11月,遠東提交了驗樓報告初稿,但沒按法團要求將維修項目分為強制性及選擇性給業主參考,並於2022年5月辭職。藝建撰寫驗樓報告時,則對該命令的發出、履行及撤銷,並不知情。至於置佳的離任,法團指,置佳在2019年8月14日書面同意提早終止合約。置佳作出該決定前,法團曾多次警告置佳,指置佳提供的服務欠佳,法團於是在2019年7月19日議決提早終止置佳的合約。

16.  法團不承認樂園利用該洞口作為往9樓電梯大堂的唯一通道,指樂園保留了9B單位前門作為不經過防煙門廊來往9樓電梯大堂的通道。法團也不承認乙門洞口及之後安裝的防火玻璃門違反該公契。無論如何,依條例第34I條,管委會可藉決議批准將公用部分的任何部分改作個別業主自用。2019年6月10日,管委會便藉決議(該管委決議)再確認及批准樂園使用毗鄰9B單位的防護門廊牆身上的洞口及裝設防火玻璃門作自用。法團亦不承認乙門洞口及之後安裝的防火玻璃門違反建例附屬法例及/或該消防守則。法團也否認樂園使用乙門洞口及在該位置裝設防火玻璃門會影響走火逃生或/及危及該大廈業主及用戶的生命安全。

17.  法團續稱,在求助審裁處要求針對樂園發出強制令時,中紀自身違反該公契,並非自身清白,審裁處應拒絕頒發濟助。法團稱,中紀違反該公契,(1) 拒絕繳交用於支付強制驗樓維修項目的維修基金(維修基金)及應付中紀上訴(案件編號CACV 96/2021)(該上訴)而成立的法律基金(該法律基金);(2) 在2A單位及2B單位的外牆及光井裝設過大或/過重的空調設備;及 (3) 自2016年起,除本案外,伍透過中紀或康強就該大廈事宜向法團、管委會主席及成員及管理公司在不同法院開啟了多達7宗訴訟(該7宗訴訟)[11]。

E. 中紀回應

18.  中紀在《修訂回覆書》[12]內指,該7宗訴訟各有其原因及背景,與本案毫無關係。基於關注該大廈安全等原因,伍認為遵辦驗樓通知至為重要。為此,中紀曾入稟審裁處(案件編號LDBM 41/2017)起訴法團(該41案),指法團容許該大廈4樓B單位(4B單位)業主群星貿易有限公司(群星)(莫是群星董事及股東,莫更與茅友好)在4B單位平臺建有僭建物[13]而不採取行動,終令法團和群星達成還原協議。中紀指,除該41案外,在該7宗訴訟中,另有兩宗[14]都是因為法團沒就違章建築執法而引發。

19.  中紀再指,根據該大廈原有批准圖則,9B單位人士不能直接從單位通往防護門廊,而須經過單位前門,再經9樓電梯大堂才可到達毗連單位的防護門廊。從電梯大堂來的人士,須經過防護門廊前後兩道防火門,才可前往該大廈的走火樓梯。

20.  中紀聲稱,2012年初時,樂園將9樓電梯大堂通往毗鄰的防護門廊的入口防火門拆去,並於原位改建一幅玻璃大門及將其上鎖,藉此侵佔防護門廊改作自用。從此,電梯大堂人士不能自由經防護門廊前往走火樓梯,火警時將無法逃生。伍當時觀察,樂園拆除防護門廊的部分圍牆,以佔用防護門廊並令其與9B單位【打通】。可是,圍牆被拆除的位置並沒有安裝任何門或門框。中紀強調,該案中的建築工程,和本案的該違章建築,絕不相同。該案中遭投訴的玻璃大門,為樂園在9樓客𨋢大堂外(近B室位置)【加建一個玻璃大門阻塞走廊通道】及【加建一幅公司招牌水牌】,故該案所處理阻塞走廊的【玻璃大門】是毗連客𨋢大堂;而本案所處理的,是位於上述【玻璃大門】的後面,即該防護門廊被拆除的圍牆,而該圍牆被拆除後當時是沒有裝上【乙門】或任何門。

21.  按照該命令,中紀指出,樂園須拆除該建築工程,及按建督批准圖則/向建督呈交小型工程完工記錄,把受影響的部分復原。根據該和解,樂園也須還原涉案建築工程,但它卻沒有拆除該建築工程,亦沒有向建督呈交小型工程完工紀錄,把受影響部分復原。樂園聲稱透過利銀國際有限公司(利銀)向建督提交《小型工程完工通知書》(該完工通知),實從未發生。法團修訂《反對通知書》後,由原稱樂園曾進行【小型工程】,現改稱曾進行【豁免工程】[15],足可為證。中紀指,屋宇署是基於樂園代表的錯誤陳述才2014年發信暫緩或撤銷該命令。故此,該命令至今一直有效且存續,樂園至今仍違反。

22.  中紀還指出,該管委決議是在本案開展後才通過。無論如何,因該違章建築遭該公契條款完全禁止,又違反法例及守則,法團無權批准樂園保留該洞口及安裝該玻璃門。

23.  關於驗樓通知,中紀否認法團有一直積極處理。中紀指,驗樓通知的期限已過多時,距今已7年,但法團仍未委任顧問。建例也沒容許法團對顧問作出要求將維修項目分成強制性及選擇性。若法團積極的話,中紀不用開展共3案催促它就驗樓報告內的僭建物採取行動。法團明顯對管委會個別委員所屬公司的僭建物怠慢執法。

24.  回應法團依賴【自身清白】的衡平法原則,中紀指,法團按條例第18條有責任執行該公契,法團因此無權引用該等原則。無論如何,法團對中紀的指稱(即使成立),與中紀向審裁處尋求的濟助,二者之間不存在足夠密切的聯繫適用該等原則。最後,中紀否認法團的指稱,構成任何違反該公契行為或不當行為(尤其該些至今未有提出訴訟的指稱)。

F. 討論

25.  本席已全面考慮審訊文件冊內的所有呈堂文件證據,及雙方證人審訊時在證人臺的所有宣誓證供。

26.  本席也已全面考慮雙方的所有書面開案及結案陳詞、口頭陳詞,及所提述該公契條文、法例、規則及守則條文,以及法院的案例等。

27.  但審裁處得指出,因雙方證人證供只限審訊時宣誓作出的,莫不能在案件審結後,在法團書面結案陳詞內,在非宣誓的情況下補充、解釋甚或更改他審訊時在證人臺所作的宣誓證供,這有違審訊常規,也對申請方不公平,因申請方不能作出盤問。因此,審裁處一概不考慮該些審結後新增證據的陳詞。

28.  另得指出的是,法團在審訊前不久一直有法律代表,其《修訂反對通知書》更由兩名大律師草擬,所提的反對理由具體、詳盡及多樣。故此,審裁處不會處理莫在陳詞中提出的其他《修訂反對通知書》以外的反對理據,在缺乏事前通知下,這對申請方也不公。因此,審裁處在本判案書內,只會處理必須為解決雙方紛爭而在《修訂反對通知書》內提出的反對理由。

29.  與解決雙方紛爭非必須處理的爭議,尤其涉及第三方的議題、待審(或待決)案件(民事或刑事)或有機會成為法院案件的爭議,本席在本判案書也會盡量避免不必要的處理。

F1. 該公契關鍵條文

30.  該公契第4(l)條訂明經理人的權力包括:

“4(l). The Manager shall have power and authority to do all or any of the following acts and things namely: -

…

(iii) To remove any structure or installation in the said building or the said premises or any part thereof which is illegal or contravenes the term of this deed and to demand and receive from the owner by whom such structure or installation was erected or installed the costs and expenses of such removal.

(iv) To insure and keep insured the said building and the lifts installed therein and the owners for the time being thereof against loss or damage by fire public liability and liability as employers for the building staff with some reputable insurance company or companies in the name of the Manager for and on behalf of the owners for the time being of the said premises and the said building according to their respective interests and to pay all premia required to keep such insurance policies in force….

…

(vi) To keep in good order and repair the lighting and ventilation of the common parts of the said building and all fire fighting equipment in the said building.

(vii) To keep the common parts of the said premises and the said building in a clean and sanitary state and condition.

(viii) To repair and keep in good repair and condition the main structure and fabric of the said building its equipment, apparatus, services, facilities and common areas and when necessary to replace any part or parts thereof which require replacement.

…

(xiii) To prevent obstruction of any of the common parts of the said building or of the roadway, car parking spaces, pavements and open areas within the said premises.

(xiv) To prevent any person from unlawfully occupying or using any of the common parts or areas of the said building or the said premises or the said roadway, pavements, open areas or any parts thereof.

(xv) To prevent any person detrimentally altering or injuring any part or parts of the said premises or the said building or any of the equipment, apparatus, services or facilities thereof.

…

(xviii) To enforce the due observance and performance by the owners of the terms and conditions of this Deed and to take action in respect of any breach thereof including the commencement, conduct and defence of legal proceedings and the registration and enforcement of charges as hereinafter mentioned.(粗體後加)”

31.  該公契第4(n)條定義【公用部分】如下:

“4(n) The common parts services and facilities referred to in this deed shall include the following: -

(i) The lavatories entrances loading and unloading spaces staircases landings and passages which are not included in any part of the said building exclusively owned by one owner or several co-owners as specified in the First Schedule hereto.

(ii) The sewers, gutters, drains, watercourses, cable, wells, pipes, pumps, tanks, wires, sanitary fittings, fire fighting and refuse disposal equipment and other apparatus and equipment used or installed for the benefit of the said building as part of the amenities thereof and not by any individual owner for his own use or purpose.

(iii) The lifts (….).(粗體後加)”。

32.  該公契第10條規定:

“10. Each owner of the said Building hereby covenants with the others as follows: -

(a) Not to make any structural alterations in his part of the said building which may damage the other parts thereof or cause inconvenience to the other occupiers and not to cut injure damage alter or interfere with any part or parts of the said premises or the said building in common use or any of the sewers drains water-courses conduit pipes cable wiring fixtures equipment apparatus or services of the said premises and the said building and not to cut injure damage alter or interfere with the cement concrete flooring columns beans or girders of the said building or do anything whereby the structural strength thereof may be affected.

…

(c) Not to do anything whereby any insurance of the said building or any part thereof against firemay be rendered void or voidable or whereby the premium for any such insurance may be liable to be increased…

…

(o) No articles or obstruction shall be placed in or on the common halls passageways staircases landings lifts or any other common areas in the said premises and building.”

33.  該公契附表一只就各層【單位】,【停車位】及【平臺】分配不可分割分數。

F2. 條例關鍵條文

34.  條例第2條定義【公用部分】如下: -

“公用部分(common parts) 指 — (a) 建築物的全部,但不包括在土地註冊處註冊的文書所指明或指定專供某一業主使用、佔用或享用的部分;及 (b) 附表1指明的部分,但上述文書如此指明或指定的部分除外”

35.  條例附表1指明的【公用部分】,包括第二款的【圍繞通道、走廊及樓梯的牆壁】、第八款的【通道、走廊】,及第十款的【消防設備】。

36.  條例第18(1)條規定法團有以下的法定職責:

“18. 法團的職責及權力

(1) 法團須 ——

(a) 使公用部分和法團財產維持良好合用的狀況,並保持清潔;

(b) 在公職人員或公共機構行使任何條例所賦權力,命令或要求就公用部分進行某項工作時,遵照辦理;

(c) 採取一切合理必需的措施,以執行公契(如有的話)載明有關建築物的控制、管理、行政事宜的責任。

(2A) 在不損害第 (1) 及 (2) 款的一般性的原則下,法團在根據本條履行其職責及行使其權力時,須顧及根據第44(1)條發出的工作守則並以該等守則為指引(粗體後加)”

37.  條例第34I條就【公用部分】的使用有以下規定:

“34I.公用部分

(1) 任何人不可 ——

(a) 將建築物公用部分的任何部分改作自用,除非該項改變乃由業主委員會(如有的話)藉決議批准者;

(b) 使用或准許他人使用建築物公用部分的任何部分以致 ——

(i) 不合理地干擾建築物的任何業主或佔用人對該等部分的使用或享用;或

(ii) 對合法在建築物內的任何人造成滋擾或危險。

(2) 任何人違反第 (1) 款,即當作違反建築物公契對他施加的責任。”

38.  條例第44條涉及主管當局製備工作守則、守則的目的及其違反後果:-

“44.工作守則

(1) 主管當局可不時擬備、修訂及發出工作守則,就下述各項給予指導及指示—

(a) …

(b) 法團須遵守和依循的管理及安全的標準及常規,包括關於下述各項的標準及常規 ——

…

(iii) 消防安全;

…

(2) 如因任何人以致根據第 (1) 款發出的工作守則未獲遵守, 此事本身並不使該人遭受任何種類的刑事法律程式,但任何此等不遵守工作守則事情,在任何法律程序中(不論民事或刑事,包括就本條例所訂罪行而進行者),可作為有助於確定或否定該等法律程序中所爭論的法律責任的根據。”

39.  關鍵時段,主管當局按條例第44條制定了《大廈管理及安全工作守則》[16] (該管理守則)。該管理守則第8.12.4段有以下規定:-

“防護廊或樓梯不得安裝抽氣扇、冷氣機或同類的裝置。防護廊或樓梯牆壁不得開鑿孔口,供安裝上述裝置或闢設門窗之用。”

F3. 建例關鍵條文

40.  建例第2(1)條定義【小型工程】如下:

“小型工程 (minor works) 指在規例中為施行本定義而被指定為小型工程的建築工程”

41.  建例第14(1)條規定建築工程開展及進行的要求:

“除非另有規定,否則任何人未事先獲得建築事務監督下述的批准及同意,不得展開或進行任何建築工程或街道工程 ——

(a) 按規例向他呈交的文件書面批准;及

(b) 對經批准的圖則所顯示的建築工程或街道工程的展開的書面同意。(粗體後加)”

42.  另建例第14AA條訂明:【第14(1)條並不就根據簡化規定展開的小型工程而適用(粗體及底線後加)】。

43.  又建例第41(3)條訂明:

“ 在任何建築物內進行的建築工程(排水工程、附表所列地區內的土地勘測、地盤平整工程或小型工程除外)如並不涉及該建築物的結構,則獲豁免而不受第4、9、9AA、14(1)及21條管限。(粗體及底線後加)”

44.  建例第41(3D)條再訂明:

“第(3)… 款並不准許任何建築工程或排水工程在違反任何規例的情況下進行。(粗體及底線後加)”

F4. 建例附屬法例關鍵條文

45.  《建築物(小型工程)規例》[17]第3條及第4條分别指定【小型工程】及【簡化規定】如下:

“現為本條例第2(1)條中小型工程的定義的目的,指定第I級別小型工程、第II級別小型工程及第III級別小型工程為小型工程(粗體後加)”。

“現為本條例第2(1)條中簡化規定的定義的目的,訂明第6部的規定為簡化規定。(粗體後加)”

46.  根據《建築物(小型工程)規例》第2(2)條:

“在第(5)款的規限下,在本規例中 ——

(a)第I級別小型工程 (class I minor works) 指附表1第3部第1分部指明的任何小型工程項目;

(b)第II級別小型工程 (class II minor works) 指附表1第3部第2分部指明的任何小型工程項目;

(c)第III級別小型工程 (class III minor works) 指附表1第3部第3分部指明的任何小型工程項目,

而對級別、第I級別、第II級別或第III級別的提述,須據此解釋。(粗體後加)”

47.  《建築物(小型工程)規例》[18]附表1第3部第1分部項目1.42(屬第1級別小型工程)是:

“在用作逃生途徑或消防和救援進出途徑的樓梯或其防護門廊的圍封部分(不包括承重牆)上開鑿洞口,或改動該等樓梯或圍封部分之上的洞口,但前提是該工程不涉及改動任何其他結構構件。(粗體後加)”

48.  《建築物(小型工程)規例》第6部【簡化規定】内第30條訂明展開小型工程前的要求如下:

“根據第27條就任何第I級別小型工程委任的認可人士或註冊檢驗人員,最遲須在展開該工程前7天,向建築事務監督呈交 —

a) 採用指明表格的通知,而在該通知內 ——

i) 安排進行該工程的人,已指明每名根據第27條就該工程委任為訂明建築專業人士及根據第28條就該工程委任為訂明註冊承建商的人(獲委任人)的姓名或名稱;

ii) 每名獲委任人已確認有關委任;

iii) 認可人士或註冊檢驗人員已確認展開該工程的日期;

iv) ...; 及

(v) ...;

(b)顯示將進行該工程的處所的實際狀況的照片;

(c)該工程的訂明圖則及詳圖;及

(d)…。(粗體後加)”

49.  《建築物(小型工程)規例》第6部【簡化規定】内第31條訂明完成小型工程後的要求如下:

“根據第27條就任何不屬拆卸工程的第I級別小型工程委任的認可人士或註冊檢驗人員,最遲須在該工程的完工日期後14天內,向建築事務監督呈交 ——

(a) (如已完成的該工程有別於第30(c)條提述的訂明圖則及詳圖所顯示者)顯示已完成的該工程的經修訂的訂明圖則及詳圖;

(b) 顯示已完成的該工程的照片;及

(c) 採用指明表格的證明書,而在該證明書內 ——

(i) 每名根據第27條就該工程委任的訂明建築專業人士,以及每名根據第28條就該工程委任的訂明註冊承建商,均已核證該工程已按照本條例及(a)段或第30(c)條提述的訂明圖則及詳圖進行;

(ii)認可人士或註冊檢驗人員已確認該工程的完工日期;

(iii)...;

(iv)...;及

(v)...。(粗體後加)”

50.  《建築物(規劃)規例》[19]第41條訂明:

“41.逃生途徑

(1) 每幢建築物須設有該建築物擬作用途所需的緊急情況用的逃生途徑。

(2) 在不損害第(1)款的原則下,每幢高度超逾6層的建築物,或最高樓層的樓面水平在主樓梯出口處的地面水平之上多於17米的建築物,除主樓梯外,須有第二道樓梯,作為緊急情況用的逃生途徑。(粗體後加)”

51.  《建築物(建造)規例》[20]第35條訂明:

“35. 耐火結構

建築物的設計及建造,須能在火警發生時 ——

(a) 阻止火勢在該建築物內蔓延,以及阻止火勢蔓延至附近的建築物;

(b) 有足夠抵禦火勢及煙的能力,使火勢及煙不致 ——

(i) 在不同建築物之間蔓延;及

(ii) 在該建築物內不同用途的地方之間蔓延;

(c) 維持該建築物的穩定性,以 ——

(i) 容許足夠時間安全疏散;

(ii) 容許足夠時間進行救援和消防行動;及

(iii) 避免對附近的建築物造成任何連帶損壞;及

(d) 在顧及該建築物的位置下,有足夠抵禦火勢的能力,使火勢不致從該建築物的屋頂蔓延至任何其他建築物。”

F5. 消防守則關鍵條文

52.  該消防守則的【前言】表明,其制定是為包括《建築物(規劃)規例》第41條及《建築物(建造)規例》(已廢除的香港法例第123B章)第90條(即現在的《建築物(建造)規例》第35條)在内的規定的遵守提供指引。

53.  中紀指適用的該消防守則條文為1) 第A5.1條、2) 第B8.1條及表B2的規定、3) 第B10.4條、4) 第C4.1條及表C1的規定、5) 第C4.2條、6) 第C9.3條、7) 第C16.4及16.5條,詳細英文條文載於附件1[21]。

G. 不爭背景事實

54.  經考慮呈堂證據及證人證言,本席裁定本部分背景事實已獲得證實。它們均來自不爭的文件證據,及/或不爭的中紀案情及法團的承認。

G1. 2012至2014年

55.  經伍代表法團作出投訴,2012年11月30日,屋宇署向樂園發出該命令,指9B單位曾進行【拆除毗鄰單位防護門廊的圍牆】[22]的建築工程,有違《建築物(建造)條例》第90條,要求樂園(30天內開始及60天內完成)拆除上述建築工程;及按照建督批准圖則/向建督呈交小型工程完工記錄,把受影響部分恢復原狀。

56.  同日,屋宇署也向森德利發出命令,指9A單位曾進行【拆除1道電梯大堂的防護門廊的門,並把門口封閉】[23]的建築工程,有違《建築物(規劃)條例》第41(1)條,要求森德利(30天內開始及60天內完成)拆除上述建築工程;及按照建督批准圖則/向建督呈交小型工程完工記錄,把受影響部分恢復原狀。

57.  2013年3月6日,該命令登記在土地註冊處。

58.  同年5月28日,法團(由伍作授權代表)入稟審裁處對樂園[24]開展該案,申請強制及禁制令,指樂園自2011年起,未得許可【(1) 在9樓客𨋢大堂(近B室位置)加建一個玻璃大門阻塞走火通道(見圖3相片)及;(2) 在9字樓客𨋢大堂(近B室位置)加建一幅公司招牌水牌(見圖3相片)】,終令建督發出該命令。

59.  同年6月4日,法團(透過伍)與樂園(透過茅)就該案達成(及簽署)該和解,雙方同意將有關位置還原(按照屋宇署命令)、還原工程必須在2013年8月10日前動工,並在9月10日前完工交由屋宇署批准。

60.  同年6月20日,審裁處按該和解頒發該案的同意命令:按附表條款,擱置該案法律程序,但雙方可為執行附表而隨時提出申請(該擱置令)。該擱置令附表條款 (1) 為清拆樂園單位對出的客𨋢大堂及公眾走廊加建物;樂園承諾按該命令還原(2013年8月10日前動工,並在9月10日前完成),完工後通知屋宇署,並獲該署同意批文作實。附表條款 (3) 則為樂園完成條款 (1) 後,法團律師須中止該案。

61.  同年8至9月,按法團承認,樂園針對乙門進行了在該洞口安裝一道玻璃門的工程[25]。

62.  同年9月6日,樂園及森德利代表去信屋宇署(抄送樂園及森德利),聲稱該命令及針對森德利的命令下的還原工程已完成 [26],要求該署檢查以清除兩命令。

63.  2014年2月8日,屋宇署向樂園發信,指「鑒於有關建築工程已經修改,本署擬暫緩採取進一步管制行動及撤銷」該命令。該署信内續指,該信只關乎該命令要求拆除的違例建築工程。因此,不能據此解釋涉案處所並無任何其他違例建築工程。該署信内警告,樂園須確保不再進行任何違例建築工程,否則可遭按建例第40條檢控。【倘若日後情況有變而有需要,(該署)或會考慮再發出新的命令,著令你拆除所有違例建築工程】(該屋宇署2014信件)。及後,該命令不再在土地註冊處登记。

G2. 2015至2017年

64.  2015年7月20日,根據建例第30B(3)條,屋宇署就該大廈的公用部分向法團發出驗樓通知,要求法團1) 在3個月內委任註冊檢驗人員進行訂明檢驗;2) 在6個月內完成訂明檢驗;及3) 如需的話,在12個月內完成訂明修葺。

65.  自2016年起,伍一方向法團另一方開展該7宗訴訟[27]。

66.  2016年2月19日,驗樓通知在土地註冊處登記。

67.  同年4月,法團聘請藝建為註冊檢驗人員。

68.  同年6月10日,藝建在驗樓報告中的【防火】部分,指於2016年4月14日在9B單位外的防護門廊發現違章建築[28],形式為【unprotected openings in exit staircase or compartment walls, floors and ceilings】(照片為FS36),要求法團維修/還原。

69.  2016年11月10日,法團將藝建解僱。

70.  2017年4月20日、5月2日及15日,中紀先後三次向樂園發信,要求遵守公契,按照驗樓報告(第3信附上FS36記錄相片)還原危及生命安全的走火通道僭建門口。

71.  同年5月,法團聘請郭浩建築師事務所有限公司(郭浩)為註冊檢驗人員。

72.  同年5月22日,置佳回信伍(抄送法團),指來信投訴的9B單位防煙門改動,法團已透過審裁處案件處理,該案也已終止,不會再跟進。

73.  同年9月26日,屋宇署回覆中紀聘請的黃潘建築師事務所有限公司(黃潘),稱沒有收到任何該大廈9樓小型工程的申報記錄。

74.  同年10月13日,黃潘到該大廈9字樓視察(2017視察),為申請方撰寫報告(黃潘2017報告)。

G3. 2018年

75.  2018年4月26日,法團舉行特別業主大會(2018業主大會),置佳會上派發【大廈強制驗樓計劃的匯報】(該匯報)。

76.  置佳在該匯報內介紹:

“1) …法團已與【郭浩】簽署兩份專業服務合同。

2) 原來的合同是提供基本的專業服務,以滿足【屋宇署】對大廈公共地方驗樓的基本要求;並先要提供驗樓報告(“報告1”)。

3) 第二份合同是對大廈外牆上及其他公共地方的私人設施,提供補充報告(“報告2”)。【報告1】與【報告2】必須分開。【報告2】是無須提交給【屋宇署】的,其目的純粹是幫助業主遵守最新建築法規,並對違規裝置提供合法化指引。

4) 於2018年初收到的驗樓報告,合倂了(1)和(2),不符合法團要求,已通知【郭浩】分為【報告1】與【報告2】。

7)就將提供的【報告2】,在大廈公共地方如有私人設備是違規的,管理公司會通知有關業主進行糾正工程,若通知無效就會出信警告,如若警告無效就會建議法團採取法律行動。(粗體及底線後加)”

77.  伍會上質疑法團為何事前沒召開會議,便指示郭浩將其報告分為【報告1】及【報告2】,茅(按照2018業主大會會議記錄記載[29])在會上解釋如下:

“法團原本是僱用藝建為驗樓顧問,但藝建將大廈的公共地方及公共地方上的私人裝置都包括在驗樓報告內,又不合作糾正,所以被法團解僱。其後法團再僱用郭浩為驗樓顧問,郭浩答應可以就大廈公共地方計劃有需要的糾正工程以解除驗樓命令,所以法團與郭浩的原本合約,只涉及公共地方的基本要求,其驗樓報告(【報告1】)只報告大廈的公共地方糾正工程項目。在驗樓計劃進行期間,伍顯中先生控告法團有關9A單位在大廈外牆的私人裝置。有鑒於此,法團考慮到大廈外牆上(或其他公共地方)的私人裝置或加建大部分是沒有經屋宇署批准的,不能因此任由個別業主再次控告法團,所以與郭浩另加新合約,報告大廈公共地方上的私人未經批准的裝置(【報告2】),幫助業主遵守最新建築法規,並對違規裝置提供合法化指引。上述兩個與郭浩所簽訂的合約,都是經管委會商討議決通過執行合約,要求郭浩將驗樓報告分為【報告1】及【報告2】,也是維護大廈業主利益。(粗體及底線後加)”

78.  同年6月7日,中紀當時律師向屋宇署查問(附上黃潘2017報告)在9B單位外防煙門廊開鑿門口是否小型工程。

79.  同年7月10日,中紀當時律師向屋宇署重覆查問。

80.  同年7月13日,郭浩再發出該大廈的驗樓報告(第二驗樓報告),其檢查結果包括9樓大堂兩個【門廊門】“欠妥”的【僭建物】(防火門的耐火效能不足)(需確認有耐火性能)(相關圖片為圖片D48[30]及圖片D49[31]),另其内容列出需拆除/更正的12樓、9樓、4樓私人單位之違例建築。

81.  同年7月18日,屋宇署回信中紀當時律師,提及小型工程的監管制度,指該署發出該命令後【接獲通知,表示有關命令已告完成】,據【有關視察報告顯示,該開鑿門口位置被裝上了一扇具不少於一小時耐火時效及具自動關閉能力的防火玻璃門。由於所進行的補救工程符合部門執法政策的規定,本署決定暫緩對該違建工程採取進一步的管制行動,並於2014年2月發出撤銷命令文件】(該屋宇署2018信件)。

82.  同年8月21日,郭浩遞交第二驗樓報告給屋宇署。

83.  同年8月23日,置佳去信郭浩,以法團早前未明(及未確認接受)第二驗樓報告及曾如此告知法團立場,及按管委會指示,要求郭浩7天內向屋宇署撤回第二驗樓報告,【否則(法團)有權追討有關問題之所有損失】。

84.  同年8月30日,郭浩按置佳通知及法團指示,向屋宇署申請取消及撤回第二驗樓報告。

85.  同年11月19日,中紀當時代表律師致函置佳,指該違章建築違反該公契、條例、建例及其附屬法例等,要求置佳跟進及採取相關行動,迫令樂園恢復原有防火牆的設計,否則中紀將採取法律行動。

86.  同年11月30日,置佳回答11月19日中紀當時代表律師來信(抄送法團),指法團在該案已起訴9B業主,亦透過伍和茅達成和解,該案亦已終止,屋宇署亦已發信撤銷該命令。

87.  2018年12月11日,中紀入稟審裁處開展本申請,起訴法團、置佳及樂園。

G4. 2019年

88.  2019年2月25日,郭浩以【雙方對【強制驗樓計劃及強制驗窗計劃作業手冊2012】的定義及理解,未能有一致的共識】為由,去信法團即時辭任顧問。

89.  同年4月23日,法團自行存檔審裁處通知書(莫簽署)中止該案。

90.  同年5月30日,置佳就本申請存檔及送達其《反對通知書》,指法團曾收到包括郭浩的驗樓報告,内容提及9B單位防火門廊有欠妥地方,及後它已將該問題告知法團主席及管委會委員(包括樂園即僭建物物主亦是現屆委員),但法團及管委會並無指示要向樂園提出還原工程。

91.  同年6月4日,法團去信置佳,質疑後者為何自2018年初收郭浩驗樓報告初稿(其内容未經法團確認及批准)後,沒向管委會提及9B防火門廊有欠妥地方,卻在其《反對通知書》内提及,實不負責任,要求後者7天内解釋。

92.  同年6月10日,管委會開會(出席者共4名委員,包括莫、茅及孔,另有2名委員請假),會上議程四一致通過該管委決議,即批准樂園【使用毗鄰9B單位的防護門廊牆身的洞口及裝設防火玻璃門作自用,並且作出書面聲明】。又會上議程五一致通過【終止】該案,【並且作出書面聲明】。

93.  同日,莫、茅、孔及另一委員簽署一份【嚴正聲明】(該聲明),該聲明的主要內容如下:

(1) 屋宇署曾發出該命令,要求9B單位業主還原毗鄰防護門廊的牆身洞口;

(2) 上述洞口的位置【為該大廈公用部分】。為了使9B單位業主履行該命令,法團曾向它開展該案;

(3) 法團和9B單位業主就該案達成該和解,9B單位業主承諾還原受影響的公眾位置(包括上述洞口),及完工後通知屋宇署獲該署同意批文坐實;

(4) 9B單位業主履行協議後,獲屋宇署撤銷該命令。因此,法團在2019年5月28日存檔審裁處通知書中止該案。管委會認為,【因上述歷史,法團早於2014年屋宇署撤銷該命令時,已有效地批准了9B單位業主保留及使用】上述洞口。況且,管委會知悉屋宇署在2018年7月18日再次發信確認現階段不會就上述洞口採取進一步管制行動。管委會認為9B單位業主使用上述洞口並裝設防火玻璃門,不會不合理地干擾其他業戶使用9B單位外的防護門廊,也不會對他人造成滋擾或危險。因此,管委會通過決議 【“追認並再次批准”】 9B單位業主使用上述洞口及裝設防火玻璃門作自用。

94.  同年6月11日,法團去信置佳,要求它不要拖延回答法團6月4日來信的質問。

95.  同年6月24日,置佳去信樂園(抄送法團),標題為【改動大廈防煙廊或樓梯問題】,引述該管理守則第8.12.4段,要求樂園聘請專業人員移除9B單位的違例建築(如有)及將它還原。

96.  第二天,即6月25日,法團即去信(莫簽署)置佳,表示收到昨天信件後【感到非常驚訝】,指置佳曾於2017年5月22日及2018年11月30日回信伍,證實題述事宜已解決,但來信提出相反觀點,【出爾反爾】,全無解釋。信內法律觀點,法團再指,早已獲法律顧問意見,置佳也知道。現置佳出爾反爾的言行,法團信末強調,【貴司是須要負上法律責任的,法團保留法律的追究權利。】

97.  同年6月27日,法團在業主大會議決集資成立維修基金,首期100萬,用於進行強制驗樓維修項目

98.  同年7月4日,管委會會議上,委員檢討置佳自2019年5月的表現(包括出示警告信),達共識須儘快和置佳解除合約,置佳代表希望完成合約至10月31日。為保置佳聲譽,管委會建議置佳主動辭職,給置佳一星期考慮。

99.  同年7月24日,法團向置佳發信(莫簽署),指管委會7月19日議決通過解除其作為該大廈管理人,現給予1個月通知,生效日為同年8月31日。

100.  同年8月20日,伍發出聲明,拒絕按照6月27日業主大會議決 “夾錢” ,指法團在沒有註冊檢驗人員監督下,私自進行強制驗樓維修項目工程,實屬違法。

101.  同年8月29日,黃潘向申請方提供第二份報告(黃潘2019報告),為此再視察該大廈9字樓(2019視察)。

102.  同年11月26日,中紀針對置佳中止本申請。

103.  2019年12月16日,審裁處經聆訊後,裁定中紀無訴訟資格向樂園提訴,剔除針對樂園的《申請通知書》及撤銷對樂園的本申請。

G5. 2021至2023年

104.  2021年1月8日,中紀及康強去信怡信物業管理有限公司(怡信),拒絕就維修基金首期分攤付款,重申法團在沒有註冊檢驗人員監督下,私自進行強制驗樓維修項目實屬違法。

105.  同年5月,法團聘請遠東為顧問處理驗樓通知。

106.  同年6月9日,法團在特別業主大會議決集資150萬,成立該法律基金,用來支付答辯該上訴的法律費用。

107.  同年11月,遠東提交了驗樓報告初稿。

108.  同年11月11日,管委會會議上,法團要求遠東將報告内各項維修項目,分為強制性項目,及選擇性項目。

109.  同年12月9日,中紀及康強等向法團發出聲明,不會按6月9日議決支付該法律基金,指該決議不合法(違反服務採購守則)、不合情理,及出現假公濟私(茅有利益衝突)的情況等。

110.  2022年1月31日,中紀及康強等再向法團發出類似上述聲明,反對按6月9日議決支付該法律基金。

111.  同年6月15日,中國太平洋保險就該大廈公用部分發給法團的財產全保保險合約 (Property All Risks Insurance Policy) [32],投保期由2022年5月16日至2023年5月15日(該保單),有以下保證及條文:

“Legal Requirements Warranty (A.33)

Warranted that the Insured shall duly comply with and observe all provisions, requirements and regulations of

(i) Fire Service Department

and/or (ii) …

and/or (iii) …

and/or (iv) …

and/or (v) Any other Statutory Obligation

including any notice given and requirements made pursuant to same the breach and disregard of which may affect or increase the risk hereby insured except only that this Warranty shall not apply in respect of any Ordinance, Regulation Notice or Requirement expressly waived by the Company by endorsement on this Policy.(粗體後加)”

“13. REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS

The insured shall maintain the property in a proper state of repair and take all reasonable precautions to prevent Damage thereto and shall comply with all relevant statutory regulations and obligations. (粗體後加)”

112.  同年7月,遠東辭職。

113.  同年9月9日,屋宇署回覆黃潘查詢,沒有利銀的該完工通知記錄。

114.  同年9月20日,管委會開會,要求怡信招標新驗樓顧問,並要求怡信進行已被確實的個別驗樓維修項目工程(如防水或石屎維修)。

115.  同年12月10日,張到該防護門廊視察(2022視察),後撰寫其答辯方專家報告。

116.  2023年4月9日,伍及其胞弟到該大廈9樓電梯大堂及該防護門廊拍攝,相關錄影有呈堂為證(該2023錄像)。

117.  同年4月11日,管委會開會(出席委員為莫、茅、孔及另2名委員,1名委員請假),議程(十)提及該管委會決議,【再次代表大廈業主通過容許9B單位業主繼續使用毗鄰防護門廊牆身洞口安裝的防火門】(該管委會第二決議)。另外,管委會議決聘請佳信管理服務有限公司為新管理公司,及聘請承辦商就B座消防樓梯内的石屎及防水維修進行工程。

118.  同日,樂園(茅簽署)去信法團(抬頭莫)投訴伍及另一人在4月9日在沒其同意下非法進入9B單位(該樂園投訴信)。

119.  同年6月10日,黃再到該大廈9樓視察(2023視察),以便撰寫申請方的本申請專家報告。

H. 證人及其評估

120.  在本審訊,吳大律師傳召伍作為中紀唯一事實證人,及傳召黄潘的黃志光建築師(黃)作為其專家證人。

121.  法團則傳召莫就事實作供,另傳召張威平建築師(張)出庭提供專家意見(黃及張統稱雙方專家)。

122.  雙方專家除了各自製作的專家報告外,還共同製作了一份聯合陳述書(該陳述書)。

H1. 伍

123.  除本席上文引述莫的陳詞外,莫在其書面結案陳詞中,進一步形容伍提出本案是【自私】行為,指責伍是【麻煩製造者】,一向在該大廈【橫行霸道】。

124.  有見法團對伍的強烈指控,本席在考慮伍的證供時,已特別提醒自己要小心分析考慮他的證詞,留意他有否隱瞞實情,或實情的全部,及考慮其作供是否可信或可靠(不管全部與否),畢竟伍和他的公司,自2016年起確實發起該7宗訴訟,伍無疑長期和法團處於對立,和法團關係極差,極可能有動機向審裁處提供誇張或不實的證供。

125.  但是,法團在《修訂反對通知書》第3A段羅列的該7宗訴訟,本席仔細看來,委實各有其背景及結果。

(1) 首先,它們的訴訟標的物各異,牽涉時租車位、外牆窗框、言語(即誹謗)、法團財務文件、11樓防護門廊,及文件內容(即失實陳述)。

(2) 第二,伍及其公司有的勝訴,有的敗訴,有的和對方和解,有的撤訴。

(3) 第三,法院就部分案件已有判決或頒發命令定案,其他則訴訟仍在繼續進行,最終結果未定。某些案件中,法團或管理公司更被裁定要向中紀支付訟費。

(4) 第四,法團在《修訂反對通知書》內對該7宗訴訟的描述是片面的。當莫遭盤問時,他大量同意中紀在《修訂回覆書》內對該些案件其他事實的補充及/或解釋。

(5) 該7宗訴訟都由伍一方提起,因此被控告指違反該公契的都不是伍一方。正如中紀在《修訂回覆書》內指出,其中有3宗[33]更是因為法團沒就違章建築採取執法行動而引發。

(6) 就算(如莫稱)伍一方有任何不當動機提出該7宗訴訟,【濫用法庭程序】,【利用法庭作為攻擊他人的工具】,本席留意,莫在本席前從沒半句投訴指其他法院在審理該7宗訴訟上沒有秉公辦理。

126.  容本席強調,本案的審理重點,無疑在看 (1) 中紀能否證實它針對樂園及法團的事實指稱,又(如證實的話)(2) 中紀能否説服本席樂園及法團都有違反該公契及條例等,及(再證實的話)(3)最後是否合適給與中紀要求的濟助。該7宗訴訟,看來只可稱和第(3)點、伍的起訴動機及其可信性有關。

127.  至於法團在《修訂反對通知書》第3B段控訴伍的各式各樣在使用該大廈及其設施的不當行為,本席經考慮所有證據及陳詞後有如下看法:

(1) 法團未能提供足夠證據證實個別它的指稱。例如,法團沒有傳召其管理處主任王文英女士出庭作證證實《修訂反對通知書》第3B.1及3B.2段的事件,而莫當時並不在場。

(2) 再者,就算法團證實其個別事實指稱,它卻沒有證實伍的做法是違法或違反該公契的(例如《修訂反對通知書》第3B.5段車位的爭議)。

(3) 法團沒有依賴它們作為【自身清白】原則下的伍的不當行為或違反該公契的行為。故此,本席看來,它們只可能和伍的起訴動機及其可信性有關。

128.  回歸本案核心,即中紀關於該違章建築的一系列指稱,本席留意,伍的相關核心證供,經莫盤問後,並沒有受到任何動搖。

129.  更重要的是,本席留意,伍的核心證供,很大程度獲得呈堂其他證據(例如事件發生時的法團或第三方文件、專家證據及意見)及/或莫在庭上的眾多承認所支持。

130.  因此,下文可見,審裁處願意採納該些伍的核心證供,及不接納法團的相反案情或證據。

131.  至於伍的其他非核心證供(有的莫甚至沒有盤問,或指出法團的相反案情,縱使本席有解釋相關要求莫知道),如真的需考慮的話,審裁處會在下文個別處理。

H2. 莫

132.  經全面考慮後,本席認為,莫絕非誠實或可靠的一名證人。

133.  除給予莫的招認足額證據比重外,本席認為,他的其他證供,可信性(及可靠性)均極低,理由如下:

(1) 莫遭吳大律師盤問下,作出了大量和法團案情不一(或符合中紀案情)的招認,數量之多,所涉的關鍵之處之多,實屬少見。仔細比較,莫的庭上證供,和他的證人陳述書内容,在關鍵之處多處前後不一(莫大幅度修改或撤回其證人陳述書經他簽署屬實申述確認的眾多關鍵内容),也與呈堂關鍵文件的内容不符。

(2) 盤問下,中紀帶出莫(本席認為)蓄意隱瞞對法團不利(或對中紀有利)關鍵證據的不良做法。例如,法團花大量篇幅帶出該7宗訴訟,卻隻字不提該41案。證人臺上,莫不得不大幅承認中紀在《修訂回覆書》内就該41案的回應,即(簡單來説)4B單位平臺上有僭建物,屋宇署2008年已發出拆除令,驗樓報告也有指出,法團知悉但至2017年該41案開始前仍未拆除。法團遭中紀起訴後,才和群星達成協議拆除該等僭建物。

(3) 本席認為,莫可能有動機替樂園(或茅)開脫,或為他作為主席的管委會的過去可能失責開脫。莫同意在管委會中,他和茅是較多負責驗樓通知的管委會成員,而他倆【份熟友好】,茅更在HCA 60/2018[34]案中挺身而出為莫撰寫證人陳述書抗辯(茅是唯一願意這樣做的管委會委員)。

(4) 盤問期間,莫多次嘗試回避回答對法團不利的關鍵問題。例如,他堅持【不記得】中紀有否在2017年4月至5月三度去信法團投訴樂園構建的該違章建築(或中紀當時律師有否在2018年11月同樣做),卻對該屋宇署2014信件及該屋宇署2018信件如數家珍,稱他對【屋宇署發出的文件特別有印象】。及後提到該命令時,又指時間久遠,沒有印象。本席同意吳大律師陳詞,莫的【選擇性記憶】,不外是逃避問題的伎倆。關於前述4封信件,本席相信中紀曾發出及法團也曾收悉。同一時間,本席留意,中紀(及其律師)曾向樂園及置佳發出類似的訴前信件,置佳更在收到後回信(並抄送法團)。因此,本席認為,不太可能中紀沒有同時向法團就同樣投訴發出類似的訴前信件。

134.  除了莫所作的不爭證供外,審裁處一概加倍小心分析及考慮是否接納莫遭到爭議的其他證詞。

H3. 兩位專家

135.  下文可見,審裁處一般會接納雙方專家的相同意見。就二人的意見分歧,本席下文會就必須分解的個別分歧作出取捨及道出理由。

136.  一般來説,本席經考慮雙方專家的證據後認為,張的專業意見有以下的局限,較黃的意見相對不理想。

(1) 張製作法團專家報告時,沒有同時簽署屬實申述及就遵守法庭專家行為守則簽署聲明,因此他可能對其作為審裁處獨立專家的責任未有全面認識(張說他最初受聘準備一份技術性報告給法團律師參考,不知道會存檔審裁處)。

(2) 本席留意,法團方面明顯沒有向張提供全面或準確的背景資料或文件讓他提供客觀中立意見。盤問下,張承認沒看過本案的《反對通知書》及《回覆書》。再盤問下,張承認他誤解乙門在安裝該玻璃門之前有門存在(實情是樂園在該圍牆開出該洞口)。更甚的是,張遭莫覆問時,也不知道9B單位的前門已遭封閉(看張畫的證物R1),還誤以為該玻璃門只是9B單位通往9樓電梯大堂的一個【額外】通道(實情到那刻莫已承認它是【唯一】通道,見下文)。

137.  除另有説明外,審裁處因此一般會基於上述原因選擇採納黃的專業意見,而捨棄張的相反意見。

I. 該違章建築

I1. 不在批准圖則内及沒有書面批准同意

138.  從該大廈的原有批准圖則可見(如審訊文件冊C207頁放大圖),本席裁定,該大廈從建成至2011年期間:

(1) 其9樓[35]分為兩個單位:即9A單位及9B單位。9A單位及9B單位各自設有前門,能讓單位的使用者從單位直接通往9樓電梯大堂;

(2) 9A單位及9B單位的外面,各有一個毗鄰的防護門廊,這兩個防護門廊均能讓處於9樓電梯大堂的人士自由通過(經過前後兩道防火門)前往該大廈的走火樓梯;及

(3) 9A單位及9B單位的使用者均不能直接從單位通往毗鄰單位的防護門廊,而是必須通過單位的前門,再經過9樓電梯大堂,才可到達毗鄰單位的防護門廊。

139.  雙方專家在該陳述書内同意上述C部分中紀案情指稱的該違章建築的大少、材料及該玻璃門的推門方向,本席採納。

140.  從該陳述書可見,雙方專家均同意,該洞口及該玻璃門與該大廈原有批准圖則不同。而於展開及進行開鑿該洞口及安裝該玻璃門的建築工程前,沒有證據顯示已事先獲得建例第14(1)條所規定的建督書面批准或同意。屋宇署也沒有開鑿該洞口的相關圖則記錄,該建築工程也沒有根據建例及《建築物(小型工程)規例》下的「簡化規定」向屋宇署申報。

141.  本席接納上述共同意見。

142.  盤問下,莫確認【甲門】、【乙門】,及【丙門】的位置及出現如下。基本上,該些確認和伍的相關證供是一致的。因此,本席裁定如下:-

(1) 【甲門】在審訊文件冊C207頁放大的原有批准圖則【LIFT HALL】(即9樓電梯大堂)12點方向的右方【A】字位置(在原有批准圖則,它原是木製防火門,後樂園改成現在的玻璃門),而【LIFT HALL】12點方向的左方【A】字位置,則安裝了原有批准圖則通往走火樓梯的【丙門】;

(2) 【乙門】在審訊文件冊C210頁以黃色表示;審訊文件冊C211相片内玻璃門正是【乙門】,它原來是完好無缺的該圍牆,遭樂園先開了該洞口,後裝上了該玻璃門(見下文);審訊文件冊C213頁相片是由打開的【甲門】拍攝後方的【乙門】,9B單位使用者是要先經過【甲門】,再經過【乙門】,才可從9樓電梯大堂進入9B單位;

(3) 該大廈業戶,如要從9樓電梯大堂到走火樓梯,則先要經過【甲門】,後通過【丙門】才可到達;及

(4) 【甲門】、【乙門】,及【丙門】三門所共同接觸的長方形區域(或審訊檔冊C209頁以紅色填滿的地方),則是該防護門廊。

I2. 位於公用部分

143.  適用條例【公用部分】的定義,及該公契【公用部分】的定義,本席認為,該防護門廊,及該圍牆,均是該大廈的【公用部分】,為所有該大廈業主所共享的地方。

(1) 該防護門廊,符合條例附表一的【通道、走廊】,或【消防設備】。該圍牆,則符合條例附表一的【圍繞通道、走廊... 的牆壁】,或【消防設備】。

(2) 該防護門廊,符合該公契第4(n)條的【passage】用字。該防護門廊及該圍牆,符合該公契第4(n)條的【fire fighting equipment】用字。二者都沒有在該公契中列為任何單位或業主的獨有、獨享或獨用地方的一部分。該公契附表一也沒有分配任何分數給該防護門廊及該圍牆。

(3) 本席前沒證據(法團也沒有指稱)該防護門廊或該圍牆是9B單位的一部分。正如Incorporated Owners of Elite Garden v Profit More Co Ltd一案 [2002] 2 HKLRD 518指出,即使樂園是該圍牆面向9B單位【表面】的擁有人,這亦不等於樂園是整個牆壁(包括內裏的混凝土及結構)的擁有人[36]。

(4) 該消防守則第A部分第3分部,定義【防護門廊】及其基本功能如下:

“a lobby formed by fire and smoke resisting construction in accordance with Part C to prevent the spread of heat and smoke”

依上述基本功能,該防護門廊實應為該大廈所有業主所共用共享,而非個別業主所獨用或獨享。

144.  盤問下,莫也同意該防護門廊及該圍牆都是該大廈的【公用部分】。法團在其案情依賴條例第34I條及該管委會決議,實質承認該防護門廊及該圍牆為該大廈的【公用部分】,因條例第34I(1)(a)條僅適用於建築物的【公用部分】。最後,法團在該聲明也承認該洞口的位置為大廈公用部分。

I3. 該命令2012年發出時只針對該洞口

145.  考慮該命令所指建築工程為【拆除毗鄰單位防護門廊的圍牆】(及引用的是《建築物(建造)條例》第90條),本席接納伍的證供,該命令2012年發出時,在該圍牆只出現該洞口,並沒有安裝任何門(包括【乙門】)。事實上,按照法團的案情(見下文),樂園也要遲至2013年8至9月才安裝該玻璃門(即【乙門】)。為清楚起見,本席並不接納法團案情(或莫的證供)指【乙門】是用來替換一道舊有的門(見下一部分)。

146.  該命令發出時,本席裁定,只涉及(及針對)該洞口。

I4. 該案只涉及甲門,不涉乙門(或該玻璃門)

147.  基於下列理由,本席裁定,在2013年5月開展的該案中,法團針對樂園的訴訟標的物,卻是【甲門】,而非該命令針對的該洞口。

(1) 法團在該案《申請通知書》投訴的是:樂園自2011年,未得許可,在【(1)在9字樓客𨋢大堂(近B室位置)加建一個玻璃大門阻塞走火通道(見圖3相片)及;(2)在9字樓客𨋢大堂(近B室位置)加建一幅公司招牌水牌(見圖3相片)】;

(2) 遭盤問他簽署的上述《申請通知書》,莫同意該案不涉及【乙門】,該案中法團針對樂園要求還原的(及圖3相片所拍的在招牌側的玻璃大門[37])是【甲門】;

(3) 莫同意吳大律師盤問時的説法,在該案中,若非牽涉【甲門】上鎖(莫同意【甲門】當時上鎖),否則該案《申請通知書》内不會指稱【嚴重阻塞】該大廈的消防走火逃生路線;莫同意吳大律師說法:即【邏輯】上,上鎖了的【甲門】才能【阻塞】走火通道;及

(4) 莫遭盤問後進一步承認,在該案時,他曾上過9樓視察,見【甲門】【後方】當時沒有安裝任何門,只有一洞口[38](這當然指的是該洞口;莫因此在該案時能清楚分開【甲門】與該洞口,但法團在該案存檔的《申請通知書》,卻引用只針對該洞口的該命令,本席認為,法團明顯在將視線或投訴轉移離開該洞口到【甲門】,嘗試魚目混珠);及

(5) 上述文件的內容及莫的證詞,一一印證伍的相關證供,本席因此接納它們為事實。

148.  故此,本席接納中紀案情,該案(包括該和解及該擱置命令)所處理的建築工程,與本案的該違章建築並不相同(該和解内及該擱置命令附表内關於匯報還原工程的完工給屋宇署的條款,本席認為,實屬混淆視聼,因該案根本不涉及該命令下的該洞口,而只涉及【甲門】而已)。

149.  因此,本席認為,法團並不能以該案(或該和解)作為反對本申請的理據,莫的相關陳詞也不能成立。

I5. 該玻璃門(或乙門)為樂園後加

150.  按法團承認,本席裁定,樂園要到2013年8至9月,才在該洞口安裝了該玻璃門。

151.  有見張出示的門扇供應商發出的提供1小時耐火功能門扇證明書(日期為2013年7月27日及地址為9B單位),及該屋宇署2018信件的內容,二者都指該玻璃門具有不少於1小時耐火時效,本席傾向如此裁定。

152.  關於安裝該玻璃門的建築工程,本席相信,並沒有根據建例及《建築物(小型工程)規例》下的「簡化規定」向屋宇署申報。雙方專家都同意,屋宇署並沒有安裝該玻璃門的建築工程的相關圖則記錄(包括該完工通知)。本席也接納這共同意見。

153.  細看該完工通知,本席也不認為利銀曾遞交它給屋宇署,(更何況利銀沒有作證)。例如,它是【第III級別小型工程完工通知及證明書】,它欠缺【小型工程項目】的填寫、【小型工程呈交編號】的填寫、完工圖片及圖則等關鍵資料。

I6. 該命令2014年的撤銷只暫緩執法而已

154.  縱使屋宇署2014年撤銷了該命令,本席同意中紀陳詞,這不改該違章建築(或該洞口)的違章性質,理由如下:

(1) 樂園從來沒有按照該命令的要求,按照建督批准圖則/向建督呈交小型工程完工紀錄,把該洞口填上還原該圍牆,將受影響或的部分還原。該命令因此從未被遵守而解除。

(2) 屋宇署在該屋宇署2014信件及該屋宇署2018信件,都清楚表明,只是暫緩採取進一步管制行動而已。

(3) 張作證時也同意黃的意見,這是屋宇署執法政策上的一時【容忍】。他日情況有變,屋宇署可繼續執法。

(4) 吳大律師引述的Heung Sui Kei & Anor v Benefit Charter Ltd 案[1999] 3 HKC 543 [39]及Chinluck Properties Ltd v Appeal Tribunal (Buildings)案,2012年民事上訴第242案,2013年9月3日[40],便充分證實上述見解。

155.  因此,本席認為,本案絕不存在法團所稱申請方挑戰屋宇署執法的情況,莫的相關陳詞不能成立。

156.  無論如何,該命令(張也同意)只牽涉屋宇署執行《建築物(建造)條例》第90條,完全不涉該公契、條例、建例、其他附屬法例、該管理守則,及該防火守則的規定,樂園也絕對可以在這些其他方面違法。

I7. 驗樓報告内須通知建督

157.  根據張和黃的相同意見,本席接納,在該命令遭撤銷後,屋宇署可借驗樓通知發出的機會繼續執法,要求法團徹底解決該大廈內的僭建物。

158.  根據建例第30D(1)條,收到驗樓通知的業主須委任 —— (a) 一名註冊檢驗人員進行訂明檢驗;及 (b) 一名註冊檢驗人員監督訂明修葺。根據建例第30D(4)(a)條,獲委任的註冊檢驗人員須對訂明修葺的進行,提供妥善監督。

159.  根據建例第30D(8)條,如獲委任的註冊檢驗人員,變得不願意行事,或不論因終止委任或任何其他理由而變得不能行事,則收到驗樓通知的業主須委任另一名註冊檢驗人員,取代原來的註冊檢驗人員。

160.  莫遭盤問下,也不得不同意吳大律師指出,驗樓通知的依法遵辦,要求法團委任的註冊檢驗人員的參與。

161.  又根據建例第30D(5)(b)條,獲委任進行訂明檢驗的註冊檢驗人員(如訂明檢驗是針對建築物的公用部分進行),須將任何在訂明檢驗過程中找出的在公用部分的已進行(或進行中)的違章建築工程通知建督。

162.  再根據《建築物(檢驗及修葺)規例》[41]第12(2)(a)(v)條,獲委任的註冊檢驗人員(在完成訂明檢驗後)向建督呈交的檢驗報告,其內容須包括根據上述建例第30D(5)(b)條須通知建督的任何違章建築工程。

163.  故此,藝建在2016年驗樓報告中,按法例須報告建督在該防護門廊發現違章建築工程(以照片FS36為記),本席相信相片FS36所拍的為【乙門】(莫也這樣在其補充證人陳述書內承認)。同理,2018年第二驗樓報告內,郭浩也(最終)按上述法例報告建督發現包括【乙門】在内的違章建築工程。當然,藝建及郭浩均在其各自報告內建議拆除及還原。

I8. 成為9B單位来往電梯大堂的唯一通道

164.  如上介紹,黃曾對該大廈9樓進行2017視察、2019視察,及2023視察,張則曾進行2022視察。

165.  基於黃在這三次視察的觀察、所拍的呈堂照片(特別是申請方專家報告附件D相片)、張在2022視察時的觀察、伍的證人證供(尤其伍第二補充證人陳述書的内容)、莫遭吳大律師使用該些觀察及相片盤問下的承認、該2023錄影的内容,以及該樂園投訴信的内容,發展至2017至2023年期間,本席裁定:-

(1) 9B單位原通向9樓電梯大堂的前門,透過內部裝修,已被納入9A單位,成為9A單位的正門出入口,並只通往9A單位的接待處。該9A正門出入口及該9A接待處只屬於9A單位,而9B單位在該大廈原有批准圖則下通向9樓電梯大堂的前門則已被樂園完全封閉;

(2) 故此,在9B單位經營業務公司的水牌,都是放置在【甲門】的左方(因9B單位的使用人,都是使用【甲門】及該洞口安裝的該玻璃門來往9B單位及9樓電梯大堂);

(3) 而在9A單位經營業務公司的水牌,都是放置在9A單位正門出入口的右方;

(4) 【甲門】及該洞口安裝的該玻璃門(即【乙門】)已成為9B單位使用人員及其貨物(如有)穿過該防護門廊通往9樓電梯大堂的唯一出入口;

(5) 作為9B單位使用人通往9樓電梯大堂的唯一通道,【乙門】(或該玻璃門)是會上鎖的(張庭上承認,他2022視察時如此發現;茅在該樂園投訴信内承認:【9B單位的玻璃門入口(已安裝保安密碼鎖)】);及

(6) 【甲門】位置的(即毗鄰9樓電梯大堂的)玻璃門,則沒有上鎖(伍在其第二補充證人陳述書内承認,該門是沒被安裝任何保安密碼鎖)。

J. 違反公契、法律及守則等

J1. 該公契第10(a)條

166.  依《物業轉易及財產條例》[42]第41條,該公契内的契諾須隨土地轉移,契諾受益人及其業權繼承人,以及藉著或透過該人或該等人士而得土地業權的人,均可向契諾承諾人及其業權繼承人,以及藉著或透過該人或該等人士而得土地業權的人,強制執行契諾。因此,樂園作為該大廈的業主,須遵守該公契內的條文。

167.  本席同意中紀陳詞,樂園在該圍牆開鑿該洞口,及後安裝該玻璃門,必定對該大廈的公用部分(即該圍牆)造成了「切割、損毁、破壞、更改或干擾」,違反了該公契第10(a)條。莫遭盤問時也同意該違章建築違反了該公契第10(a)條。

168.  在 Incorporated Owners of Elite Garden v Profit More Co Ltd一案 [2002] 2 HKLRD 518,在處理類似的公契條文時,上訴庭法官郭美超也就該案件的答辯人在其單位外牆開鑿洞口並安裝窗戶作出同樣的結論[43]。

J2. 該公契第10(o)條

169.  本席又同意中紀陳詞,該玻璃門向該防護門廊方向推開,向外推開該玻璃門時,必然會對該防護門廊內的通道造成一定程度上的阻礙。另外,就算不搬運貨物出入,9B單位使用人利用該洞口作為來往9樓電梯大堂的唯一通道,來往的人流也定會對該防護門廊內的通道造成一定程度的阻礙。

170.  因此,本席同意,樂園構建的該違章建築也違反了該公契第10(o)條。莫在證人臺上也同意吳大律師的這點指出。

J3. 條例第34I(1)(b)(i)條

171.  因為該大廈是一棟具備有效公契(即該公契)的建築物,條例第VIA部(包括第34I條)適用於該大廈。如該部與該公契條款有不一致之處,即以該部為準:見條例第34C條。

172.  在Incorporated Owners of On Dak Industrial Building v Tandon Trading Ltd一案 [2023] HKLdT 10,該案件的答辯人在單位外牆加建抽風系統,在逃生通道的耐火牆加建抽風口及食堂出入口,本席在該案件裁定,該等行為實質剝奪了其他業戶將單位外牆及耐火牆作其正常保護及防火用途的權利,不合理地干擾了其他該大廈業主及佔用人對這些【公用部分】的使用或享用,違反了條例第34I(1)(b)(i)條[44]。

173.  同理,本席裁定,樂園將該圍牆的部分拆除,造出該洞口,及後裝上向該防護門廊推出的該玻璃門,及利用該洞口及該玻璃門作為9B單位来往9樓電梯大堂的唯一通道,實質剝奪了其他該大厦業戶將該圍牆及該防護門廊這些【公用部分】作正常維護及防火用途,不合理地干擾了該大廈其他業主或佔用人對該等公用部分的使用或享用,違反了條例第34I(1)(b)(i)條。

174.  根據條例第34I(2)條,樂園違反了第34I(1)條,即當作違反了該公契對它施加的責任。

J4. 該管理守則

175.  關於該管理守則,莫、黃及張均同意(及本席裁定),樂園構建該違章建築,正正進行了第8.12.4項目所禁止的行為,即在該防護門廊的該圍牆開鑿孔口,供闢設該玻璃門之用。

176.  樂園違反該管理守則本身,雖不致於構成刑事罪行,但本席同意吳大律師陳詞,樂園不遵守該管理守則可用作確定法團有沒有在本案中履行其法定及該公契責任的根據:見條例第44(2)條。根據條例第18(2A)條,該管理守則,為法團履行其職責及行使其權力時所須顧及,並用作指引。

J5. 該消防守則

177.  遵守與否該消防守則的規定,本席認同中紀陳詞,也可以用作決定(或協助決定)《建築物(規劃)規例》第41條、《建築物(建造)規例》第35 條(前身第90條)、條例第34I(1)(b)(ii)條,以及該公契第 10(c)條有否被遵守。

178.  首先,本席採納黃的意見,該消防守則適用於該大廈落成後進行的建築工程(即該違章建築)。張所給的意見和黃的意見一致,而張所引用的作業備考也有同樣規定。

179.  雖然(如張指出)該大廈的批准圖顯示該大廈的所有結構和構件僅需1小時的耐火功能,但本席同意黃的意見,那只是1973年適用的最低要求,該數據並不等於該大廈各結構部分的實際可達的耐火等級。

180.  本席接納黃的意見,該圍牆的耐火等級,應以該消防守則數據作準。根據表E2,該圍牆厚度為100mm的鋼筋石矢,實際可達耐火等級應推算為 120 分鐘。而根據表C151,該大廈(作為工業大廈)防火間隔的耐火等級亦需不少於120分鐘。

181.  關於該消防守则第A5.1(b)條,本席裁定,樂園拆除了具120分鐘耐火等級的該圍牆,改為安裝只有60分鐘耐火等級的該玻璃門,更改了該大廈的安全配置,影響了該大廈消防安全設計的效能,構成了該大廈基本適合條件的改變,但並沒有由認可人士入則屋宇署申請批准。因此,據本席接納的上述黃的意見,樂園違反了第A5.1(b)條。

182.  至於走火通道的闊度,本席也同意黃的意見(及他的平面繪圖),信納當該玻璃門向該防護門廊打開後,會將9B單位通往走火樓梯的走火通道闊度縮小低於1050毫米,少於該消防守則表B2的規定,違反第B8.1條。

183.  本席再採納黃(而捨張)就第B10.4條的意見,即樂園令該防護門廊的通道及該圍牆的一部分併入9B單位作為其日常出入的唯一通道,違反了該條。

184.  針對該玻璃門,由於其耐火等級只有60分鐘,本席同意,這導致該大廈的防火間隔的耐火等級變為少於120分鐘,低於該消防守則表C1就工業大廈的要求,違反該消防守則第C4.1條。

185.  至於第C4.2條,本席再採納黃(而捨張)的意見,相信該大廈防火間隔(即該玻璃門與該防護門廊的圍封牆壁之間)的結構物料及/或石矢並非統一性物料,其穩定性及隔熱(包括其分別的耐火等級)也不一樣,違反了該條。

186.  針對第C9.3條的規定,在黃的意見上,本席相信,該玻璃門的耐火等級只有60分鐘,少於該防護門廊耐火牆的耐火等級120分鐘,未能達到防火門的要求。在本審訊中,如黃指出,沒有證據證實【甲門】都有至少60分鐘的耐火等級。因此,該消防守則第C16.5(c) 條的例外,在本案中並不如張所稱適用。故此,本席裁定,第C9.3條在本案中也遭違反了。

187.  最後,張基本上沒有爭議該玻璃門與門框有明顯空位及未有配備適當的防煙封條。本席因此認定,第C16.4及C16.5條也遭違反了。

J6. 《建築物(建造)規例》第35條(前身第90條)

J7. 《建築物(規劃)規例》第41條

188.  與上文適用該消防守則到本案的理由一樣,本席認為,上述第35條及41條也適用於該大廈落成後進行的該違章建築。

189.  鑒於本席上文就該消防守則達成的眾多結論,本席接納中紀案情,該違章建築導致該防護門廊未能符合上述第35條及41條就耐火結構及逃生途徑的相關規定,在火警時可能危及該大廈業主及用戶的生命安全。

190.  就上述第35條而言,屋宇署曾適用其前身第90條發出該命令,以樂園違反該條要求它恢復還原該洞口。有見該兩條文內容類似,及目的一致,本席看來,可針對該違章建築支持上述審裁處就現行第35條達致的結論。

J8. 條例第34I(1)(b)(ii)條

191.  考慮上文該管理守則第8.12.4項目的違反、上文就該消防守則多條條文的違反、上文就《建築物(建造)規例》第35條及《建築物(規劃)規例》第41條的違反,本席認為,樂園使用(或准許9B單位使用人使用)該大廈的公用部分(即該違章建築)以致對合法在該大廈內的任何人造成滋擾或危險,違反條例第34I(1)(b)(ii)條,即當作違反了該公契對它施加的責任。

J9. 建例第14(1)條

192.  如上介紹,雙方專家並無爭議,該違章建築涉及的兩項建築工程(即開鑿該洞口及安裝該玻璃門),均沒有事先獲得建督的書面批准及同意。

193.  就開鑿該洞口這工程而言,雙方專家一致認為屬於第I級別小型工程項目1.42,但該工程並不是根據「簡化規定」而展開。因此,張亦承認,該工程並不受建例第14AA條所豁免。同時,小型工程一概不受建例第41(3)條所豁免。故此,張盤問下亦承認該洞口至今是違反建例第14(1)條的違章工程。本席按照雙方專家意見裁定如是。

194.  就安裝該玻璃門這工程而言,張庭上推翻他在該陳述書也同意了該工程是項目1.42的第I級別小型工程這點,改口稱不是。張嘗試解釋自己【大意、看漏眼】。本席不能接受。作為專家證人撰寫該陳述書給審裁處作證據之用,本席想張應該更加小心才是。基於張在該陳述書的承認,及黃的意見,本席也裁定該玻璃門至今是違反建例第14(1)條的違章工程。它沒有按照「簡化規定」而展開,亦不為建例第41(3)條所豁免。

J10. 該公契第10(c)條

195.  在Incorporated Owners of Hong Yuen Court v Dugar Shishir and Dugar Saroj and Ors 一案,建築物管理申請編號2012年第89宗, 2015年6月30日,土地審裁處法官黃敬華面對與該公契第10(c) 條類似的公契條款,而該案件涉案大廈的火險,亦包含和本案類似的 “Legal Requirements Warranty (A.33)” 的保證條款,也在發現違章建築的情況下裁定該條款遭違反[45]。

196.  參考上述案例,基於上文該違章建築已被裁定違反了建例第14(1)條、條例第34I條、該消防守則、《建築物(規劃)規例》,及《建築物(建造)規例》,本席認為,該保單的保證及條文很大機會已被違反,該保單很大機會變得無效(或可使無效),又或其保費有很大機會被提高。故此,本席裁定,樂園構建該違章建築的行為,也違反了該公契第10(c)條。

197.  莫在其證人陳述書或庭上引述負責另一法團保單的另一保險經紀說法,本席認為,實無關宏旨。

J11. 條例第34I(1)(a)條

J12. 該管委會決議及該第二管委會決議

198.  正如上文介紹,該防護門廊這【公用部分】的基本功能為防火,莫遭盤問下也同意。因此,它應由該大廈所有業戶所共享及共用。樂園構建該違章建築,將該【公用部分】用作9B單位使用人來往9樓電梯大堂的日常唯一通道,將該【公用部分】的部分【改作自用】,莫盤問下也同意。

199.  但是,依據原訟法庭林雲浩法官(當時官階)在Wing Ming Garment Factory Limited v Incorporated Owners of Wing Ming Industrial Centre[46] 一案[2014] 4 HKLRD 52[47],在類似案情下(即在牆壁開洞裝玻璃門)的詮釋,條例第 34I(1)(a)條【改作自用】應理解為將公用部分的任何部分「據為己獨用」[48],而非將該部分作物質上的更改例如改動[49],該條在後者情況並不適用[50]。

200.  依遵循先例原則,上述案例對本席有約束力。

201.  在本案中,該違章建築涉及在該圍牆開該洞口,後裝上該玻璃門,及使用該防護門廊部分作日常唯一通道來往9樓電梯大堂。前者牽涉對該圍牆的物質更改,後者不涉及據該防護門廊部分為己獨用(因【甲門】玻璃門至少在2017年後是沒有上鎖的,該大廈業戶仍可自由無阻地推開【甲門】進入該防護門廊,後經【丙門】到走火樓梯)。

202.  因此,根據上述案例,本席認為,中紀不能指樂園違反了條例第34I(1)(a)條,因該條在上述本案案情並不適用。同理,法團也不可以引用該條的例外(即該等改變乃由管委會藉決議所批准)作為本案的反對理由,因該條在本案並不適用。

203.  假如本席上述結論有錯(即假如條例第34I(1)(a)條整條條文在本案的上述案情對雙方也全面適用),本席同意莫的陳詞,法團可藉該管委會決議及該第二管委會決議,批准樂園將該牆壁及該防護門廊部分改為自用。

204.  可是,本席得清楚指出,上述法團給樂園的批准或授權,只限於條例第34I(1)(a)條適用(或違反)的情況,不會延伸適用樂園就該公契第10(a)條、10(c)條、10(o)條、條例第34I(1)(b)條、建例第14(1)條、《建築物(規劃)規例》第41條,及《建築物(建造)規例》第35條的違反情形,理由如下。

205.  依吳大律師引述的案例,包括Incorporated Owners of Hoi Luen Industrial Centre & Anor v Ohashi Chemical Industries (Hong Kong) Ltd [1995] 2 HKC 11、Incorporated Owners of Champion Court v Pang Pin Fan Peter & Anor [2008] 5 HKC 312及Hollywood Shopping Centre Owners Committee v Incorporated Owners of Wing Wah Building Mongkok Kowloon,高院民事案件2007年第1582宗,2010年8月16日,法團只可授權或批准公契或法律條文容許法團批准的事宜,若該等事宜為公契或法律條文完全禁止的話,法團無權授權或批准[51]。

206.  細心觀看該公契第10(a)條、10(c)條、10(o)條、條例第 34I(1)(b)條、建例第14(1)條、《建築物(規劃)規例》第41條,及《建築物(建造)規例》第35條,不難發覺該些條文完全禁止相關事宜,或沒有留下容許的例外情況。因此,本席認為,該管委會決議及該第二管委會決議不能成為違反這一系列條款及條文的抗辯理由(假如條例第34I(1)(a)條適用本案的話)。

K. 法團知悉負有法定責任執行該公契條款及條例條文

207.  就本席認定的事實而言,根據條例第18(1)(a)、(b)及(c)條,本席認為,法團在本案關鍵時段明顯負有以下3方面的法定責任:

(1) 它須使該圍牆及該防護門廊這兩【公用部分】維持在良好合用的狀況;

(2) 它須遵照屋宇署依建例所賦權力發出的驗樓通知要求辦理,即委任註冊檢驗人員進行訂明檢驗(包括報告發現的違章建築工程)及監督訂明修葺;及

(3) 它須採取一切合理必需的措施,以執行該公契載明有關該大廈控制、管理、行政事宜的責任。

208.  就上述條例第18(1)(c)條(或上述第3點法定責任)而言,本席認為,如上文F1及F2部分引述的條文可見,該公契賦予法團(法團在關鍵時段透過管理公司直接管理該大廈,稱得上是該公契第4(a)條的【經理人】)以下具體有關該大廈控制、管理、行政事宜的責任,包括:

(1) 取締或拆除非法(或違反公契的)建築物;

(2) 保持該大廈防火設備在良好狀況;

(3) 防止該大廈公用部分遭受阻塞;

(4) 防止任何負面傷害或更改該大廈的任何部分;

(5) 為該大廈投保及維持保單的承保;及

(6) 促使所有業主遵守該公契的條款,及對違反者採取法律行動。

209.  本席相信並裁定,本案關鍵時段至今,法團無疑對上述法定責任知悉及認識不淺,理由如下:

(1) 法團曾聘請管理公司協助它管理該大廈,想管理公司會協助法團明白其責任(及/或解釋它代表法團給伍及其公司或律師就這方面的回信內容);

(2) 法團亦曾聘請法律顧問給與它一般(及訴訟)法律意見,想法律顧問也會協助管委會明白法團的責任(包括瞭解及/或回應伍及其公司或律師發給法團的警告信);

(3) 法團又曾三次聘請註冊檢驗人員作為驗樓通知的顧問,想該三顧問也會解釋管委會知悉法團的責任;

(4) 作為遭伍及其公司(包括中紀)自2016年起多次起訴的對象之一(包括遭伍指稱沒有依照該公契執法),法團無疑會從訴訟中認識它的責任;

(5) 作為在訴訟中(例如該41案)被指稱違反該公契的失責方,群星(及莫)必然會了解法團有否相關的執法責任;及

(6) 法團曾作為該案的申請人,在該案《申請通知書》内引述該公契條文,透過律師在審裁處起訴樂園及森德利(並由莫代表法團簽署《申請通知書》内的屬實申述)。

210.  有見上述證據,莫庭上回答本席稱,對該公契【不明白】、【不懂】,絕對荒謬,本席絕不會如他【天真】地想接納這等證詞。

211.  基於茅在2018業主大會的解釋(本席給予該承認足額比重),本席裁定,法團2016年一定曾從藝建(或從驗樓報告)獲悉樂園所擁有的9B單位毗鄰防護門廊存在該違章建築(即所謂在“公共地方上的私人裝置”),要求藝建糾正(即取消將該違章建築在驗樓報告中向建督報告)但遭拒而解僱藝建。

212.  還有,本席認為,法團(或管委會)必定清楚法團的法定執法責任,才會要求郭浩分開製作將提交屋宇署的【報告1】及不會提交的【報告2】,及要求遠東在其檢驗報告內分開【強制性】及【選擇性】項目,將所謂在“公共地方上的私人裝置”放在【報告2】或定性為【選擇性】項目。

213.  莫庭上同意,茅在2018業主大會稱(及該匯報內説)的【公共地方上的私人設施/裝置】,包括驗樓報告內指出的4B單位、9A單位、9B單位及12樓的僭建物。該些【公用部分】的私人僭建物,侵佔【公用部分】,註冊檢驗人員因此必須在驗樓報告中向屋宇署報告。莫及後進一在庭上承認,所謂【強制性】及【選擇性】項目,即等同郭浩被法團要求分別製作的【報告1】及【報告2】內容。

214.  當郭浩沒有遵照法團上述要求,仍把(莫庭上承認)合併了【報告1】及【報告2】的第二驗樓報告呈交屋宇署後,本席認為,正是因為清楚知悉其法定執法責任,法團2018年才兩天內急急去信郭浩警告將追討它所有損失,迫使郭浩撤回第二驗樓報告。

215.  本席認為,郭浩在2019年辭去顧問一職前,想必也將其所知強制驗樓計畫作業手冊內的法例要求,嘗試向法團(或管委會)解釋但不成功才離職。

216.  同理,本席認為,法團(或管委會)也正因為清楚知悉法團的法定執法責任(包括如置佳在其本案《反對通知書》內透露,管委會委員從置佳方面知悉,在第二驗樓報告中,該違章建築被郭浩認為【有所欠妥】),法團及後才會去信置佳否認。再後當置佳升級行動去信樂園,引述該管理守則第8.12.4段,要求樂園糾正時,法團亦急急在第二天去信置佳斥責它【出爾反爾】,並保留追究置佳法律責任的權利。

217.  本席深信,不管管委會是否在其他方面不滿置佳的表現,法團絕對不滿置佳上一段的行徑,這絕對是其中一個導致法團2019年提早解除置佳管理合約的原因或導火線。

218.  最後,如本席上文認定,中紀及其律師曾在2017年及2018年四度去信法團,提醒其在該公契下的責任,要求它針對該違章建築向樂園執法。

L. 法團並沒有採取一切合理措施履行其法定責任

219.  針對該違章建築,按本席上文認定的事實(及莫庭上的承認),至本審訊(或下文其他適用日子),法團明顯沒有:

(1) 保持該圍牆及該防護門廊完好及有合適的耐火結構,使後者維持為該大廈安全有效的逃生路徑;

(2) 拆除該玻璃門、還原該洞口及禁止9B單位使用人使用該防護門廊作為出入9樓電梯大堂的通道;

(3) 按照驗樓通知(及兩個註冊檢驗人員的建議)如上取締(或移除)上述違章建築工程(相反,它事前及事後嘗試阻止該等違章建築工程向建督的匯報,及事後【打壓】及【排除】不服從的匯報者);

(4) 第四度依照建例聘請註冊檢驗人員辦理驗樓通知;

(5) 要求樂園如(2)般做(相反,它事後嘗試阻止置佳引述該管理守則要求樂園這樣做);

(6) 在該命令被屋宇署撤銷前,沒有堅持或要求樂園按照命令將還原該洞口(不管是按照原有批准圖則或按照小型工程的簡化規定進行都沒有發生);及

(7) 針對樂園提起法律訴訟,要求樂園停止違反該公契、條例,建例,其附屬法例、該管理守則及該消防守則(相反,法團議決通過該管委會決議及該第二管委會決議,嘗試容許樂園繼續維持該違章建築)。

220.  如上解釋,該案、該和解及該擱置命令,與該違章建築毫無關連。本席認為,在莫清楚知道該案只牽涉【甲門】的背景下,法團依賴該案發出該聲明或通過決議,或指示置佳以該案回應中紀及其律師的來信,也是混淆視聽的伎倆,目的無疑為不想履行(或拖延履行)其法定責任。

221.  法團陳詞指,它一直積極跟進驗樓通知,並無怠慢,本席絕不接納。相反,本席認為,法團不斷嘗試拖延及阻止驗樓通知的依法遵辦。

222.  在上述事實基礎上,針對樂園構建的該違章建築,本席裁定,法團在關鍵時段根本沒有採取任何(更遑論一切合理)措施,以執行該公契載明有關該大廈的控制、管理、行政事宜的責任。相反,本席認為,法團在該違章建築一事上,縱容包庇樂園的違法違章行為,置該大廈業戶的安危於不顧。

M. 案情在案例上合適給予中紀濟助

223.  如吳大律師正確陳詞(及本席接納),上訴法庭在 See Wah Fan v Incorporated Owners of Ki Tat Garden (Phase I) [2003] 3 HKLRD 1 一案中清楚指出,縱使在法團成立後,公用部分的事宜依條例第16條由法團(而非業主)負責,但若小業主就大廈的公用部分有正當的申訴,而管理委員會未有處理(或漠視)該申訴的話,小業主仍可向審裁處申請(及獲得)濟助,強制法團採取行動執行公契及條例,以確保法團在建築物管理問題上會遵守條例的原意及要求[52]。

224.  暫且不處理【自身清白】原則的話(下文處理),整體考慮本案的案情及本席的眾多裁定,本席認為,針對位於該大廈公用部分的該違章建築,中紀無疑向法團提出了正當的申訴,但管委會卻漠視該等申訴多時,及沒有依法處理。

225.  在上述情形下,本席認為,絕對合適行使本席的酌情權,針對該違章建築,頒下強制令強制法團採取行動執行該公契及條例的條款及條文(包括針對樂園提起法律訴訟),以確保法團在管理該大廈上遵守條例的原意及要求。

N. 不因【自身清白】原則而拒絕濟助

226.  在《修訂反對通知書》第32A段内,法團只指稱中紀有以下三方面【違反該公契】的行為,應在適用【求助衡平法者必須自身清白】的原則下,遭審裁處拒絕頒發其尋求的強制令濟助。

227.  該三方面【違反該公契】的行為為:

(1) 中紀拒絕繳交維修基金及該法律基金(法團指中紀律違反了該公契第4(f)(v)及(vi)條);

(2) 中紀在2A單位及2B單位外牆及光井裝設了過大及/或過重的空調設備(該2樓單位空調投訴)(法團指中紀違反了該公契第10(a)、(e)及(q)條);及

(3) 自2016年起,伍透過中紀或康強向法團、管委會主席及委員及/或管理公司開展了該7宗訴訟(法團沒有指出中紀違反的個別該公契條文)。

228.  中紀回應,上述衡平法原則與法團條例下第18條的法定執法責任不符,上述指稱(縱使構成違反該公契的行為或不當行為,但中紀否認,伍也提出了反對理由及/或證據),也和中紀向審裁處尋求的濟助,沒有足夠密切的聯繫適用該等原則。

229.  就【自身清白】這衡平法原則的適用,高等法院暫委法官吳美玲(當時官階)在Lucky Hing Shing Estate Co Ltd v Incorporated Owners of Genuis Court一案,高院民事案件2015年第2048宗,2016年4月7日,便指出,重點不在尋求濟助者有否任何一般道德上的缺失,而在經平衡任何相應緩和或減輕的其他因素後,應否因聲稱的不當行為,與尋求的濟助之間,有足夠密切的聯繫而拒絕頒發濟助。其判案書英文原本如下:

“Legal principles In respect of the maxim “he who comes into equity must come with clean hands”, Snell’s Equity says that “…… the question is not whether any general moral culpability can be attributed to B, the party seeking relief, but is rather whether relief should be denied because there is a sufficiently close connection between B’s alleged misconduct and the relief sought. The maxim is therefore applicable only in relation to conduct of B which has ‘an immediate and necessary relation to the equity sued for’, and is not balanced by any mitigating factors.” (粗體後加)”[53]

230.  在吳大律師引述的Incorporated Owners of Ming Yuen Mansions v Lam Yuk Lan Grace一案,建築物管理申請編號2011年第185宗,2011年11月7日,土地審裁處葛倩兒暫委法官(當時官階)就引述另一衡平法法律權威文獻,並在下列段落同樣強調【直接相關性】的要求如下:

“46. 另外答辯人的大律師亦在結案陳辭中指出,法團在大維修時將該大廈外牆的顏色改變了,這是有違公契第10(g)及(n)條的條文,在尋找衡平法濟助者本身不得有欺詐行為(“clean-hands doctrine”)的清白原則下,法團要求法庭向答辯人頒下強制令並不公平公正。

47. 本席並不認同答辯人可依賴上文所述指控法團並非清白,根據 Spry : The Principles of Equitable Remidies (7th ed) 一書,“it is often found that a statement that has been extrapolated from an equity judgment, and is then construed out ot its own context, gives rise to confusion and to attempts to misapply it. An example is found in the use of the maxim, he who comes to equity must approach the court with clean hands. This is doubtless a maxim which is both striking and succinct and which may be found to be of value for many explanatory or justificatory purposes. But when its content is examined it is seen that it is of little or no use in assisting a court to decide whether, if specific performance is sought, relief should in the particular circumstances be refused. So it has been established that even a plaintiff who has been guilty of fraud, which is hardly consistent with clean hands, may under some circumstances obtain equitable relief, such as where, for example, the fraud has been waived by the other party and there is no additional consideration that renders the grant of that relief unjust. Again, it has been laid down that the absence of clean hands, is of no account “unless the depravity, the dirt in question on the hand, has an immediate and necessary relation to the equity sued for”. When such exceptions or qualifications are examined it becomes clear that the maxim that predicates a requirement of clean hands does not set out a rule that is either precise or capable of satisfactory operation.” (at page 5)。

48. 採納上文所引述法律文獻原則,答辯人指控法團違規的行為,必須與答辯人被指控的違規行為有直接相關性 (“immediate and necessary relation”)。本案中法團指控答辯人違反公契在該外牆裝置了該簷篷,這與法團違反公契將外牆的顏色改變,兩者全然不同也沒有任何相關性,本席認為清白原則並不能成立。無論如何,本席並不認同如法團存在任何違規行為,便即等同它不能就公契條文採取執行行動,這與法團有責任執行公契條文的規定背道而馳。(粗體後加)”

231.  經全面考慮後,即使法團證實它賴以提出【自身清白】原則的該三面違反該公契行為,本席同意吳大律師陳詞,經平衡法團在條例及該公契下執行該公契條款的法定責任後,該些違反該公契或不當行為,與中紀在本案針對樂園構建的該違章建築而向審裁處尋求針對法團的救濟,二者之間沒有足夠密切(或直接及必要)的聯繫説服本席拒絕頒發救濟。

232.  容本席進一步解釋如下:

(1) 若本席拒絕頒發強制令,就樂園違法違章構建該違章建築而言,那便等於法團不用再需要承擔其法定責任對此執行該公契及條例等。換句話說,拒絕頒發強制令的後果,和設立該等法團的法定責任的本意背道而馳。因此,審裁處不應輕易便拒絕頒發強制令,要慎重考慮及平衡這指向執法另一方向的重要考慮。

(2) 依序考慮法團依賴的三方面事宜。首先,第一方面的前部分:拒絕支付維修基金。雖然法團打算用維修基金支付承辦商,承包進行驗樓通知內一些維修項目(但要強調的是,至今沒證據包括法團所謂的【公用地方的私人設施】,即公用部分的私人僭建物),但是,這和樂園構建該違章建築是兩件獨立、不同和不相關的事宜,也與中紀本案尋求的濟助沒有任何直接、必然或因果關係。樂園早於2013年便構建完成該違章建築,2016年藝建的報告便已提及該違章建築。維修基金的決議,法團業主要到2021年才通過。

(3) 第一方面的後部分:拒絕支付該法律基金。本席認為,考量和上述(2)是大致相同的。二者分別在於該法律基金是為支付法團在該上訴的法律費用而設。該上訴源於案件LDBM 118/2017。中紀起訴法團,要求強制法團針對森德利在9A單位外牆的窗框執法。中紀雖初審敗訴,但中紀現上訴中,該上訴最終結果未定。本席認為,該法律基金和樂園在9B單位外2013年便構建完成的該洞口加該玻璃門違章建築,也是兩件獨立、不同和不相關的事宜,與中紀本案尋求的濟助也沒有任何直接、必然或因果關係。

(3) 第二,該2樓單位空調投訴。2A單位及2B單位無疑屬中紀所有。就算涉案空調設備是僭建物,違反該公契及條例等,它和樂園在9B單位外構建的該違章建築,仍是獨立,不同和不相關的違章建築,與中紀本案尋求的濟助也沒有直接、必然或因果關係。單單中紀就另一僭建物違法違章(假如成立的話),本席認為,仍與中紀本案尋求針對樂園的濟助,沒有足夠直接或必然聯繫,不足說服本席拒絕強制法團針對樂園的僭建物執法,以履行法團的法定責任。

(4) 第三,該7宗訴訟。如本席上文H1部分分析,它們的背景及結果各異。有的和該違章建築風馬牛不相及(如誹謗及財務文件),有的涉及聲稱的違章建築(如在(3)已談及的該上訴及其初審),有的涉及(伍擁有的)康強11A單位及11B單位外防護門廊的僭建物或建築工程(即案件LDBM 81/2020)。

(5) 就案件LDBM 81/2020,正如莫完全同意中紀在《修訂回復書》第5(4)(e)段對此案的事實補充及解釋,法團2017年12月收到屋宇署命令,指其公用部分,曾分別違反《建築物(規劃)規則》第41(1)條及《建築物(建造)規則》第90條,1) 在11樓1號樓梯安裝拉閘,阻礙逃生路徑,及2) 拆除同一位置的防護門廊,影響該大廈的耐火能力,要求法團拆除及修復原狀。至中紀2020年7月入稟審裁處控告法團要求法團完全遵辦屋宇署命令前,法團還沒有依令完全完成2) 的工程。中紀最終在法團向審裁處作出承諾後不再尋求它的濟助。在雙方進行辯論後,審裁處最後下令法團須支付中紀就案件的訟費。

(6) 由上可見,這又是一宗法團沒有依法辦事的例子,失責沒履行該公契及條例責任者是法團,中紀入稟審裁處強制法團遵守屋宇署的命令,本席認為,絕對談不上是【自身清白】原則下的不當行為或違反該公契行為。

(7) 經各自分析該7宗訴訟後,本席認為,它們每一宗都與中紀本案尋求針對該違章建築的濟助,沒有足夠直接或必然聯繫,不足說服本席拒絕強制法團針對樂園執法,以履行法團的法定責任。

233.  因此,本席結論,法團【自身清白】的抗辯理由也不成立。審裁處維持上一部分的結論,即合適行使酌情權頒發強制令強制法團針對樂園就該違章建築執法。

O. 頒令

234.  基於上述各部分的結論,審裁處因此頒令:

(1) 法團須立即行使該公契及條例賦予的權力,採取所有針對樂園的必要措施(包括採取法律行動),1)要求拆除該玻璃門、填滿該洞口及將受損之該圍牆恢復;2)要求還原該防護門廊;及3)禁止樂園、其僱員、代理人、承辦商、9B單位的租客及佔用人a)在該防護門廊再構建和該違章建築類似的建築工程,或b)使用該防護門廊作為從9B單位進出9樓電梯大堂的通道。

(2) 訴訟雙方可隨時就上述強制令的執行向審裁處作出申請。

(3) 本判案書的判決,須載有罰則通知,由中紀律師草擬、存檔及送達法團。

P. 訟費

235.  按一貫訴訟常規,審訊後整件案件的訟費隨案件審訊結果而定,由敗訴方賠償勝訴方所花在整件案件的訟費。

236.  鑒於法團敗訴,中紀勝訴,本席認為合適下令法團支付中紀花在本案的所有訟費。

237.  就訟費的評定基礎而言,本席認為,上文充分顯示,法團管委會為個別委員及其公司的私利,漠視法團在該公契及條例下的法定責任,犧牲該大廈所有業戶的生命安全,無視該命令,縱容樂園違法違章構建該違章建築。及後,法團又嘗試就驗樓報告欺瞞當局,打壓排除不合作的顧問,視建例如無物。當被催促執法時,法團再堆砌出包括無關的該案、從未經過簡化規定的該完工通知,攻擊伍的品格及其公司行為,拋出所謂【自身清白】等絕不可取、無爭辯空間的反對理由,後期更嘗試以管委會決議及該聲明,繼續包庇樂園,審訊前搬出滿口謊言的莫,嘗試欺瞞審裁處,企圖進一步拖延該違章建築的更正,而驗樓通知發出至今超過7年,遭法團多番阻礙幾乎進展全無,法圖一直置所有業主就該大廈所有公用部分遵辦驗樓通知的公共利益於不顧,實屬可悲。

238.  在此,本席再鄭重提醒法團(想管委會應清楚知道多時),根據建例第40(1BC)條,任何人無合理辯解而沒有遵從根據第30B(3)條送達予該人的通知(即驗樓通知),即屬犯罪,一經定罪 — (a) 可處第5級罰款及監禁1年;及 (b) 可就經證明並獲法庭信納該罪行持續的每一天,另處罰款$5,000。

239.  考慮上述本案的整體情況,本席認為合適作出暫准訟費命令,下令法團須以最高的彌償基準支付中紀本案的所有訟費(包括所有保留的訟費,連本審訊的所有費用,審裁處核准一張大律師證書),若訴訟雙方未能就金額達成協議,則交由訟費評定官以《高等法院規則》[54]第62號命令的基礎評定。

240.  若訴訟各方沒有在本判案書頒發後14天內申請更改上述暫准訟費命令,該暫准命令將在第15天自動變成對雙方都有約束力並生效的絕對命令。

Q. 其他

241.  最後,本席將指示書記將一份本判案書的副本送交建築事務監督(或屋宇署署長),讓當局自行研究有否需要就其內容所透露的任何事宜作其認為合適的進一步調查及執法行動。

 ( 李紹豪)
 土地審裁處法官

申請人:由陳俊華律師事務所轉聘吳港發大律師及鄭瀚之大律師代 表應訊。

第一答辯人:無法律代表,由莫泮光先生代表應訊。

   

附件1

Clause A5.1

Apart from alterations and additions, an authorized person should consider if a submission to the Building Authority may be required if a building or fire compartment involves:

(a) change in use, based on the categories outlined within Subsection A7; or

(b) change in Bounding Conditions.

Clause B8.1

Every building, except those buildings permitted under Clause B6.1 to have only one required staircase, should be so constructed that there are available from each storey not less than 2 exit routes or such greater number as may be required by Table B2. The width of each exit route and the total width of all the exit routes should be not less than the width shown in Table B2 according to the occupant capacity and the number of exit routes provided. Provided that:

(a) this requirement should apply to only one of the storeys of a maisonette; and

(b) where two or more exit routes (required by Table B2 to serve a storey) vary in width, any width of an exit route in such group in excess of 50% above the width of the narrowest exit route in such group should not be included in the calculation for the minimum total width of exit routes as required by column 4 of Table B2.

Table B2

Table B2: Minimum number and width of exit doors and exit routes from a room, fire compartment or storey

Occupant Capacity of room, fire compartment or storey (No. of persons)Minimum No. of exit doors or exit routesMinimum total width (in mm)Minimum Width (in mm) of each
Exit doorsExit routesExit doorsExit route
31-2002175021008501050
201-30022500250010501050
301-50023000300010501050

Clause B10.4

Where internal access is provided:

(a) no door opening on to an internal common corridor should at any part of its swing reduce the minimum required width of such corridor;

(b) a protected lobby should be provided to each and every required staircase forming part of a protected exit unless the required staircase is:

(i) in a building with only one required staircase described in Subsection B6 in which the level of the highest floor is not more than 13m above ground level; or

(ii) in a building which is provided with two or more required staircases and the level of the highest floor is not more than 20m above ground level; or

(iii) provided with a pressurization system complying with the Code of Practice for Minimum Fire Service Installations and Equipment; or

(iv) a ventilated staircase.

Such lobby should be designed as a common area and an integral part of the required staircase so that it could not be readily incorporated as part of any adjacent unit(s) of accommodation.

Clause C4.1

Every element of construction within each fire compartment and every fire barrier of each fire compartment should have an FRR of not less than that as specified in Table C1.

Table C1 – Fire Resistance Rating and Fire Compartment Limitations

Use ClassificationCompartment Area/ VolumeFire Resistance Rating (minutes)
6. Industrial
 
6a.Industrial workplaces
 
6b. Bulk storage, Warehouses
 
6c. Storage, manufacturing of hazardous/dangerous goods premises
 
 
Not exceeding 10,500m2
 
 
Not exceeding 28,000m3 and 10,500m3
 
Not exceeding 7,000m3
 
 
120
 
 
120
 
 
120

 

Clause C4.2

The FRR required for the elements of construction, components and fire barriers should satisfy one or more criteria of stability, integrity or insulation, related to various methods of exposure as specified in Table C2 when tested in accordance with Part E.

Clause C9.3

All protected exits andprotected lobbies should comply with the following requirements:

(a) They should be separated from the rest of the building by fire barriers having an FRR of not less than that of the Use Classification of that fire compartment to which they correct;

(b) Any doorway giving access to the protected exits should be provided with a fire rated door having an FRR, with regard to the criteria of integrity and insulation, of not less than that of the fire barriers therein;

(c) The fire rated doors at the doorway giving access to a protected lobby should have an FRR that complies with Clause C16.5 with regard to the criteria of integrity and insulation; and

(d) All required staircases and their protected lobbies should not accommodate any services other than emergency services such as fire hydrants, sprinkler systems, emergency lights, exit signs, closed-circuit television and direct intercom link unless such services are enclosed by fire barriers having an FRR of not less than that of the walls separating the protected exit from the rest of the building. Any access openings in such enclosures should be provided with a fire rated door having an FRR, with regard to the criteria of integrity and insulation, of not less than that of the fire barriers therein.

Clause C16.4

All fire rated doors should be closely fitted around their edges to impede the passage of smoke or flame. The bottom gap between such doors and the floor should not exceed 10mm.

Clause C16.5

A protected lobby should comply with the following requirements:

(a) all fire barriers should be constructed from the soffit of upper storey or from the underside of a false ceiling to the floor. The fire barriers and the false ceiling should have an FRR of not less than that of the Use Classification of that floor; and

(b) if the FRR of the door facing the occupied side (or in case of Clause C13.2, the kitchen side) is not less than the FRR of the fire barriers of that storey, the second door is not required to have an FRR. Both doors should be provided with smoke seals; or

(c) if both doors of the protected lobby have the same FRR, the FRR of both doors can have an FRR of not less than half of the fire barriers of that lobby. Both doors should be provided with smoke seals.

TABLE E2
WALLS CONSTRUCTED WHOLLY OF NON-COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS
 
Constructions and Materials
Minimum thickness in mm (excluding plaster) for FRR of
240 mins120 mins60 mins
SOLID CONSTRUCTION
Reinforced concrete -
(a)containing not less than 1 per cent of vertical reinforcement18010075
 Concrete cover to main reinforcement252515
(b)containing less than 1 per cent of vertical reinforcement240160120
 Concrete cover to main reinforcement252525


[1]   香港法例第344章

[2]   香港法例第123章

[3]   由吳大律師及鄭瀚之大律師草擬

[4]   protected lobby

[5]   Code of Practice for Fire Safety in Buildings 2011(2015年10月版本,2011年9月首次制定)

[6]   由羅頌明大律師及何樂軒大律師草擬,由莫簽署屬實申述

[7]   為防護門廊的一部分

[8]   即在9樓客𨋢大堂與防護門廊毗鄰的牆身安裝的一道防火玻璃門,是原先批准圖則的門口

[9]   即防護門廊與9B單位毗鄰的牆身開鑿洞口後安裝的一道門,這個洞口的位置,即《修訂申請通知書》所稱的【該洞口】

[10]   即防護門廊與走火通道後樓梯另設的一道防火門,是原先批准圖則的門口

[11]   即SCTC 15156/2016, LDBM 118/2017, HCA 60/2018, LDBM 234/2018, LDBM 168/2019, LDBM 81/2020,及DCCJ 3532/2020

[12]   由吳大律師及鄭瀚之大律師草擬

[13]   驗樓報告內指稱的

[14]   LDBM 118/2017(涉及9A單位外牆聲稱僭建物,中紀敗訴後上訴,現發展成該上訴)及LDBM 81/2020(涉及11樓後樓梯防火門)

[15]   改稱後中紀也不同意

[16]   2018年9月1日起生效

[17]   香港法例第123N章

[18]   香港法例第123N章

[19]   香港法例第123F章

[20]   香港法例第123Q章(2021年2月生效)。2021年2月之前,相應的條文為現已廢除的《建築物(建造)規例》(香港法例第123B章)第90條 - 耐火結構,該第90條正是屋宇署在該命令中指樂園違反的條文,見證物“MFI-1”。該第90條訂明:【每幢建築物的設計與建造,須 — (a) 將建築物分為多於一個隔室,以阻止火勢在建築物內蔓延以及阻止火勢蔓延至附近的建築物; (b) 藉分隔牆和樓面將建築物內不同的用途分隔,以及將建築物與任何毗鄰的建築物或地盤分隔,以備有足夠能力抵抗火勢和煙的蔓延;(c) 使建築物在火警發生時能維持其穩定性;及 (d) 顧及建築物的位置而備有足夠的能力抵抗火勢由一幢建築物的屋頂蔓延至另一幢建築物。】

[21]   粗體後加

[22]   該命令英文版原文為Removal of enclosure wall of the protected lobby adjoining the unit

[23]   命令英文版原文為Removal of the fire door and blocking up the door opening of the protected lobby adjoining the unit

[24]   作為第二答辯人,而該案第一答辯人是森德利,涉及9A單位及毗鄰的防護門廊

[25]   莫在其證人陳述書第15及18段稱之為【小型工程】,莫在其補充證人陳述書第10段則說,據法團獲得的專家意見,該等【補救工程】,不管應否在當時被界定【小型工程】,都可被視之為【豁免工程】

[26]   the re-instatement works for the captioned orders have been completed

[27]   即SCTC 15156/2016, LDBM 118/2017, HCA 60/2018, LDBM 234/2018, LDBM 168/2019, LDBM 81/2020,及DCCJ 3532/2020

[28]   unauthorized buildings works

[29]   會議記錄由孔以管委會秘書身份簽署

[30]   欠妥之處為:在門廊内加開門口並安裝璃門,需確認有耐火性能

[31]   欠妥之處為:改裝為玻璃門,需確認有耐火性能

[32]   包括火險

[33]   該41案、LDBM 118/2017 (涉及9A單位外牆聲稱僭建物,中紀敗訴後上訴,現發展成該上訴)及LDBM 81/2020 (涉及11樓後樓梯防火門)

[34]   伍針對莫的誹謗案,源於一次2017年10月的管委會會議

[35]   和1樓至12樓一樣

[36]   判案書第10段

[37]   第343頁

[38]   比較2013拍攝的圖3相片(第351頁),和伍2022年拍攝的同一位置相片(第352頁),後者可見該玻璃門出現在【甲門】後方,而前者同一位置是沒有任何門。

[39]   案例匯報第550頁

[40]   判案書第31及32段

[41]   香港法例第123P章

[42]   香港法例第219章

[43]   判案書第9至12段

[44]   判案書第117至121段

[45]   判案書第102至111段

[46]   [2014] 4 HKLRD 52

[47]   判案書第119至126段

[48]   原英文為【appropriate… for his own exclusive use(斜體後加)】

[49]   原英文為【does not… refer to physical conversion in the sense of making alterations】

[50]   原英文為【the provision is not engaged here(斜體後加)】

[51]   總結後的法律原則可見於判案書第65段。上訴法庭法官袁家寧在Champion Court 案内就違章建築 (illegal structures) 不能被法團默許或許可的觀點,本席認為,如原訟庭特委法官袁國強在Hollywood Shopping Centre一案判案書第55至57段正確指出,源出同樣經總結的法律原則。

[52]   判案書第20至24段

[53]   判案書第34段

[54]   香港法例第4A章