Hoping to tackle the increasing number of building management disputes and streamline the lengthy legal processes, the government will introduce a pilot scheme under which parties will be encouraged to reconcile before or during the litigation process.
The one-year pilot scheme will start on January 1. The government said the burden of legal fees could be borne by parties that unreasonably rejected reconciliation proposals.
The Lands Tribunal will compile a list of cases it deems to be resolvable outside court and will encourage the parties to seek mediation. The parties will be required to indicate whether mediation has been sought.
While the scheme is primarily intended for cases in which both parties are legally represented, the tribunal may also deem other cases eligible, the government said.
The scheme is aimed at building harmony, the government said, denying it is aimed at reducing the burden on the judiciary system.
There are about 400 to 500 such disputes annually and the number is increasing, according to Judge Michael Wong Yat-ming, the Lands Tribunal's presiding officer.
'The people involved in such disputes are usually neighbours. Even after the verdict, they will have to face each other,' said Mr Justice Johnson Lam Man-hon, of the Court of First Instance and tribunal president.