Hong Kong lawmaker fails in High Court bid over decision to end filibuster on new-towns plan
Court cannot interfere with Finance Committee's action, judge rules
A lawmaker's bid to challenge the Legislative Council Finance Committee's decision to abruptly end a filibustering attempt over funding for a controversial government new-towns plan last year has suffered a blow, with a judge ruling the court should not interfere with the legislature.
In a judgment handed down on Wednesday, High Court Judge Mr Justice Thomas Au Hing-cheung cited "separation of powers" in refusing to grant permission for lawmaker Raymond Wong Yuk-man to review decisions made by then chairman of the committee Ng Leung-sing in June last year.
Ng's predecessor, Tommy Cheung Yu-yan, was named as a co-defendant.
Au cited an authority by Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, who laid down how common law should be applied in the city.
"[That includes] the doctrine of the separation of powers and, within it, the established relationship between the legislature and the courts," he quoted.
Previously, Wong argued the court should look into whether the committee had followed procedures as the Basic Law stated. Legco should "enact, amend or appeal laws in accordance with … legal procedures", the law said.
