Court overturns ban on Tsim Sha Tsui venue after judge says method to measure disturbance is too subjective
Hong Kong's late-night venues can breathe a sigh of relief after a court ruling yesterday overturned a controversial noise ban on a popular Tsim Sha Tsui bar.
At the centre of the test case was Chasers, the Knutsford Terrace bar, which was slapped with a noise ban in April 2002 following complaints from residents about noise levels. Subsequent court challenges to overturn the ban failed.
But Madam Justice Maria Yuen ka-ning, sitting in the Court of Appeal, yesterday ruled the noise measurement to be 'unreasonable in character and extent''.
The Noise Control Authority issues Noise Abatement Notices, which can lead to entertainment venues being fined and losing their liquor licences, on the basis of a test of audibility.
Madam Justice Yuen said this was too subjective.