PolyU considers next step in court action against magazine

Hong Kong Polytechnic University is considering whether to go ahead with a lawsuit for defamation against Next Magazine, president Professor Poon Chung-kwong said.

The university has been given leave to sue the magazine by the Court of Appeal, which last week overturned a High Court decision.

Mr Justice Brian Keith had last year ruled the PolyU could not sue the publication because, like the Government, the university was a 'public authority' and did not have the right to take legal action over any alleged defamation.

Professor Poon said that he would be discussing whether to sue with the university's council before a decision was made.

'We'll seriously consider whether to proceed with the lawsuit because it would take up a lot of time and resources,' he said.

Professor Poon said the university would not be suing for money.

It wanted what it saw as justice and punishment for the magazine.