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Eddie Lee

Four pan-democrat lawmakers facing a court challenge for improper oath-taking have launched a new fundraising effort after three of them had their legal aid applications rejected.
Lecturer Lau Siu-lai, former Occupy student leader Nathan Law Kwun-chung, academic Edward Yiu Chung-yim, and veteran lawmaker “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung are due to appear in court on March 1 for their oath-taking on October 12.
Facing the court battle, the four pan-democrats originally filed legal aid applications, but all except Leung’s were rejected.
The High Court yesterday upheld the decision, after Lau, Law and Yiu appealed against the refusal. “The court did not accept our arguments,” Lau said.
Hong Kong taxpayers left with hefty bill after ousting of pro-independence duo
The three said they had budgeted HK$5 million for the first stage of litigation, but a HK$1.7 million shortfall remained.
They said they would be auctioning off personal belongings and items provided by supporters – paintings and sports memorabilia – in an effort to raise enough money to meet the shortfall.
Lau said not receiving legal aid would put all four in a disadvantageous position. All three appealed to the public for financial support, saying the case directly concerned the public interest.
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung mounted the legal challenge to oust the four lawmakers in early December, just days after pro-independence Youngspiration lawmakers-elect Yau Wai-ching and Sixtus Baggio Leung Chung-hang were disqualified.

Baggio Leung and Yau’s improper oath-taking prompted the National People’s Congress Standing Committee to issue an interpretation of the Basic Law.
The government has accused Lau of reading her oath in a slow manner, Law of raising his voice when he pronounced “China”, Leung Kwok-hung of chanting political slogans, and Yiu of adding words to his oath.
Four Hong Kong lawmakers facing disqualification win more time to prepare defence
Leung Kwok-hung, Law and Lau, along with disqualified pair Yau and Baggio Leung, won a combined 183,236 votes in geographical constituencies in September.Yiu, who represents the architectural functional constituency, bagged 2,491 votes.
If Leung Kwok-hung, Law and Lau all lost their seats, the pan-democratic camp would no longer keep its 17-16 majority in the constituency, which lets them vote down motions they oppose.
“Our case concerns the public interest. Our majority in the democratically-elected constituency is at stake,” Law said.
“It’s unfair. The Legislative Council president was able to use the legislature’s resources to fund his lawsuits,” Yiu said, referring to Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen.


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Lawmakers Edward Yiu Chung-yim (left), Nathan Law Kwun-chung, Lau Siu-lai. Phogo: K. Y. Cheng

(L to R)Lawmakers Nathan Law Kwun-chung, Yiu Chung-yim, Lau Siu Lai and Leung Kwok-hung judicial review legal aid judgement at High Court in Admiralty. 20FEB17 SCMP / K. Y. Cheng

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Trio’s bid for legal aid rejected as March 1 court date approaches
