Justice served in the wake of sleep
What distinguishes the city's tycoons from ordinary people is not only the size of their wealth, but their sleeping patterns as well.
The legal battle between Eric Hotung and his children over the control of trust shares is an illustrative case. The cross-examination of Winnie Ho Yuen-ki was pushed back to 2.30pm yesterday from about 9.30am - the normal starting time of High Court proceedings.
The court made the decision after it was told about the 82-year-old's health, as well as her habit of waking up in the evening and working through the night.
Ms Ho was allowed to be cross-examined via video-conferencing because of her health concerns.
The court also granted an earlier request by the plaintiff, Mr Hotung, to move the start time from about 9.30am to 11am on the days he had to give evidence to accommodate his sleeping hours.
The 78-year-old, who is recovering from a recent fall in the United States, has been accompanied by an entourage each time he appears in court.
On strong painkillers and injections, he is taken to a five-star hotel near the High Court for a lunchtime nap before the hearing resumes in the afternoon.
