Appeal judges refused to hear a case relating to a US$6 million (HK$46.7 million) claim against late shipping tycoon Frank Chao Sze-bang yesterday unless there was someone in court to represent him.
The Court of Appeal ordered his widow, Betty, son Joachim, daughter Anastasia and younger brothers Cecil Chao Sze-tsung and George Chao Sze-kwong to be contacted before March 14.
If no one comes forward before April 7, petitioner Bright Islands Corporation can apply to the court to name someone, Mr Justice Brian Keith said.
The judge, together with Mr Justice Simon Mayo and Mr Justice Woo Kwok-hing, refused to hear Bright Islands' appeal in the absence of anyone representing Chao. Frank Chao, eldest child of one of Hong Kong's best-known shipping families, died of a heart attack on February 17. He was 67.
The tycoon left behind a fight against a bankruptcy petition, which he had initially won in October.
The former director and vice-chairman of his late father's Wah Kwong Shipping Holdings successfully avoided being declared bankrupt over the sale of a vessel.
Chao was a guarantor for Finex Shipping Ltd when it was contracted to buy a vessel for US$29 million in October 1997.