A Hong Kong court has adjourned key proceedings until May in civil cases against 13 residents who refuse to move out of the city’s only privately owned low-rental housing estate, just two weeks into a separate judicial review over the eviction arrangements.
District Court Judge Gary Lam Chin-ching said on Monday he would continue to deal with other preparatory proceedings for the Tai Hang Sai Estate residents and the Hong Kong Settlers Housing Corporation, which is the plaintiff and landlord.
The High Court earlier allowed 85-year-old Leung Ah-duen to challenge the corporation for allegedly going back on its promises that it would ensure the resettlement of residents before pressing ahead with its redevelopment plans. A judicial review hearing is scheduled for April 25.
But Lam said he would proceed with the 13 cases in his court as both residents and the corporation hoped to settle the matter as soon as possible.
The corporation received the green light from town planning authorities in 2016 to redevelop the Shek Kip Mei site, which is expected to offer 2,000 flats to first-time homebuyers and another 1,300 for the return of existing tenants.
But the arrangements for tenants have come under the spotlight after the corporation said it would only relocate tenants who passed an income and asset threshold. Those deemed ineligible, such as families who owned residential properties, would be offered a lump sum to leave.
Lam said on Monday his decision to go ahead with the civil cases would not bring any injustice to defendants, as they would still be entitled to live in their homes if Leung’s judicial review went in their favour. The judge said putting the proceedings on hold would be against the public interest if the review found the corporation had the right to reclaim the flats.