Claims against Occupy Central founders 'will be complex'
Adjudicator at tribunal orders claims, worth HK$118,000, to be heard in a higher court
The District Court is to hear claims against Occupy Central's co-founders and fellow protesters from people who say they lost money due to the 79 days of street blockades.
Small Claims Tribunal Principal Adjudicator Anthony Chow Siu-wo yesterday agreed to a request from Occupy co-founder Benny Tai Yiu-ting to have the claims - worth HK$118,000 - heard in the higher court, on the grounds that they involved complex issues.
Chow said the "causes of action" the defendants relied on - a legal term meaning the facts that form the basis of a lawsuit - were "very complicated and there is no precedent to follow".
"The consequence of the court's decision will have a long-term effect in Hong Kong, so I find these cases should not be heard in the Small Claims Tribunal," he added.
Tai had told the tribunal the claims "might affect the right of citizens to organise public meetings" and added: "The decision made by the court might have a long-lasting impact."
More than 30 lawsuits were filed with the tribunal during and after the blockades, most from taxi drivers, shop owners and housewives who said they were hit in the pocket by the pro-democracy protests. All but 11 were withdrawn before the hearing.
