header-logo header-logo

Prosecutorial decisions in Hong Kong: Pt 2

06 December 2024 / Dr Ping-fat Sze
Issue: 8097 / Categories: Features , Profession , International , Criminal
printer mail-detail
200298
Dr Ping-fat Sze examines the reviewability of prosecutorial decisions, & the effect on access to justice
  • Examines the relevant case law, maintaining that undue weight has been given to a 2003 decision in the Fijian Supreme Court.

In England and Wales, it is settled that, apart from fraud or corruption, a prosecutorial decision is reviewable on the ground that the relevant law was misunderstood or misapplied, or relevant matters were not considered properly, or irrelevant matters were taken into consideration, or the decision was made contrary to the evidence or in disregard of the prosecution policy (see, for example, the ‘Judicial Review of CPS Prosecuting Decisions (Appeals)’, issued by the Crown Prosecution Service).

Despite repeated claims that the English law and practice should be followed in this area, surprisingly, the courts in Hong Kong are indisposed to review prosecutorial decisions unless they were made dishonestly, in bad faith or according to political instruction (see ‘Prosecutorial decisions in Hong Kong: getting it wrong?NLJ,

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Muckle LLP—Rachael Chapman

Muckle LLP—Rachael Chapman

Sports, education and charities practice welcomes senior associate

Ellisons—Carla Jones

Ellisons—Carla Jones

Partner and head of commercial litigation joins in Chelmsford

Freeths—Louise Mahon

Freeths—Louise Mahon

Firm strengthens Glasgow corporate practice with partner hire

NEWS
One in five in-house lawyers suffer ‘high’ or ‘severe’ work-related stress, according to a report by global legal body, the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC)
The Legal Ombudsman’s (LeO’s) plea for a budget increase has been rejected by the Law Society and accepted only ‘with reluctance’ by conveyancers
Overcrowded prisons, mental health hospitals and immigration centres are failing to meet international and domestic human rights standards, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has warned
Two speedier and more streamlined qualification routes have been launched for probate and conveyancing professionals
Workplace stress was a contributing factor in almost one in eight cases before the employment tribunal last year, indicating its endemic grip on the UK workplace
back-to-top-scroll