Hong Kong tribunal judge questions power to postpone Wang Fuk Court owners’ meeting

A Lands Tribunal judge has questioned whether he has the power to postpone an extraordinary general meeting requested by at least 247 owners at Hong Kong’s fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court, while acknowledging the difficulties faced by a government-appointed administrator in contacting and verifying residents.

The tribunal adjourned its decision until 3pm on Tuesday on an application by Hop On Management Company to extend the statutory 45-day deadline for holding a meeting requested by residents of the Tai Po subsidised housing estate.

Hop On’s senior counsel, Hectar Pun Hei, urged the tribunal on Monday to take into account the “exceptional” circumstances at Wang Fuk Court. He highlighted the firm’s challenges in verifying homeowners’ signatures and securing a venue capable of accommodating at least 1,000 people.

Pun added that Hop On had encountered difficulties notifying displaced residents of the meeting, as it currently had no means of contacting 383 households.

“This is a difficult situation, but it is possible to do. They just need more time,” he said.

However, presiding officer Gary Lam Chin-ching noted that the Building Management Ordinance did not appear to allow flexibility in convening homeowners’ meetings.