Hong Kong passes law making it easier to say ‘sorry’ without legal consequences
The idea is that officials and others can apologise for mistakes without admitting they were at fault
Sorry may be the hardest word, but Hong Kong is hoping to make it easier after the Legislative Council yesterday passed an apology law that will help people to settle disputes by saying “sorry” without fear of admitting fault or legal liability.
Under the law, an apology, whether oral, written or by conduct expressing “regret, sympathy or benevolence”, will not be admissible as evidence to determine fault or liability in civil and other non-criminal proceedings, subject to certain exemptions.
For example, if no other evidence is available in those proceedings, any factual information contained within an apology can be admissible as evidence, as long as the court or other authority presiding over the hearing considers it “just and equitable” to do so, having regard to “the public interest or the interests of the administration of justice”.
Some lawmakers were concerned that the exemptive wording was too vague, but Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung said it was appropriate.