Deceived doctor wins $1.8m

A surgeon who left a successful business in Australia to practise in Hong Kong can recover more than $1.8 million in damages from a doctor who had deceived him into coming to the SAR, a judge ruled yesterday.

Dr Andrew Koh Kee-suan, 62, who had been a senior surgeon in Australia, said Dr Vincent Ip Kay-lo had offered him a position in the Admiralty Doctors' Group (ADG) at an annual net income of up to $1 million.

Dr Koh, after paying Dr Ip $300,000 to secure the position, arrived in Hong Kong in October 1990, only to earn an average of $6,050 a month.

Dr Koh returned to Australia after 16 months with the practice and sued Dr Ip for wilful deceit or negligent misrepresentation.

Dr Ip denied the allegations and told the Court of First Instance that Dr Koh knew the risks of joining ADG, but joined regardless.

Deputy Judge Li Zong-er ruled in favour of Dr Koh, saying 'doctors, like lawyers, are generally cautious professionals'.