Adjudicator Pang Chung-ping, who had asked Mr Chung to consider a settlement in a preliminary hearing on February 7, made a last-minute plea to urge the parties to negotiate before a trial was due to start yesterday.

'I hope you can understand her circumstances. Who would do such a thing for pleasure? She would not have tried to commit suicide if she was not desperate,' Mr Pang said to the representative. 'The car saved her life. But we should not expect a reward for saving people's life.'

He also said there was only a slight chance of getting compensation in full even if he ruled in favour of the car owner, given the financial hardship of Ms Lee.

Ms Lee, whose husband was declared bankrupt, has young twin daughters, the tribunal heard. 'You can seek help from court bailiffs who can execute the judgment forcefully. But is that really what you want?' Mr Pang asked.

Ms Lee said she had not intended to damage the vehicle.

'I merely meant to die. I had to take care of my twin daughters around the clock without the help of a domestic helper. My husband was bankrupt. What I wanted was relief,' she said.

Ms Lee and the representative reached a settlement after they talked for about 30 minutes. The terms of the settlement were confidential. At the earlier hearing, Ms Lee had refused to pay compensation, arguing the car was illegally parked.

'I made sure no one was on the street before I jumped because I didn't want to hurt anyone,' she said. 'I have lived in that building for 10-odd years and I know very well there is no parking space on that street . . . the car was illegally parked there. I meant to die. The car upset my plan.'

Mr Chung had lent his car to a friend, who parked it outside Universal Mansion at 3pm. Ms Lee jumped at 4.50pm, according to a document filed to the tribunal. It was not said how far she fell or what her injuries were.