Man fined HK$5,000 for filming in High Court
On.cc · 3 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago4 MIN
Summary
A 41-year-old accountant, Lai Kin-nok (黎健諾), pleaded guilty at Eastern Magistrates' Courts on October 14 to one count of making a record in court premises without lawful authority. Chief Magistrate So Wai-tak fined him HK$5,000 after hearing that he had used his mobile phone to film another person during a dispute at the High Court. The incident took place on June 22 outside Court 15 on the seventh floor of the High Court in Admiralty. He was later arrested and charged over the recording.
Key Points
- The defendant was identified as 41-year-old Lai Kin-nok, who said he worked in the accounting sector and represented himself in court.
- The case was heard on October 14 at Eastern Magistrates' Courts, where Lai admitted the single charge against him.
- The offence alleged that, without lawful authority, he intentionally recorded court premises or a person within court premises.
- Prosecutors said the incident happened on June 22 outside Court 15 on the seventh floor of the High Court in Admiralty.
- According to the case facts, Lai had gone to the High Court on other business, argued with another person, then took out his phone to film.
Why It Matters
The case is a reminder that recording inside court premises is subject to legal restrictions in Hong Kong, even when a person is involved in a dispute there. For court users, the ruling underlines that using a phone to film others in judicial buildings can lead to prosecution and financial penalty.