Ex-officer Drops Dismissal Challenge Over Legal Cost Risk
HK01 · 2 SOURCES1 day ago4 MIN
Summary
A former police officer has abandoned his High Court judicial review challenge against the Police Commissioner's decision to dismiss him after a disciplinary hearing. In court, he said pursuing the case felt like a gamble because he could face legal costs of about HK$500,000 to HK$600,000 if he lost.
Key Points
- The applicant was Ying Yu-tai (英裕泰), and the proposed respondent was Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming (周一鳴).
- Ying challenged the Commissioner's 6 October 2025 decision to dismiss him after a disciplinary hearing, arguing it was unlawful, procedurally unfair and disproportionate.
- The underlying case concerned an allegation that Ying, while off duty in 2017, wore shoes with a camera hidden in the laces and filmed under a woman's skirt at Mong Kok MTR Station.
- After trial, a magistrate acquitted him of outraging public decency, ruling that although his conduct was suspicious, the alleged filming could not be proven and no incriminating footage was found.
- Acting Judge Lam Chin-ching confirmed in the High Court that Ying wished to withdraw the case; the court approved the withdrawal and made no order as to costs
Why It Matters
The withdrawal means the dismissal decision made through the police disciplinary process will stand, because the court will not rule on Ying's complaints about legality, fairness and proportionality. The case also shows how potential adverse costs can deter individuals from pursuing judicial review even after filing proceedings.