Hong Kong government should pay legal costs of residents affected by lead-in-water scandal, inquiry hears
The government should pay the legal costs of three Hong Kong public housing estate residents who are seeking to have their cases heard by a judge-led investigation into the city’s lead-in-water scandal, an inquiry heard.
The government should pay the legal costs of three Hong Kong public housing estate residents who are seeking to have their cases heard by a judge-led investigation into the city’s lead-in-water scandal, an inquiry heard today.
The Commission of Inquiry into Excess Lead Found in Drinking Water is conducting its preliminary hearing at the former Court of Final Appeal building today, before it enters into investigative hearings on November 2.
A total of 15 parties, including the Housing Authority, Water Supplies Department, building contractors, sub-contractors and licensed plumbers have been summoned to give evidence.
Speaking for three affected residents – three parents with young children, including one breastfeeding mother who gave birth to her baby last year – senior counsel Martin Lee Chu-ming, argued the government should pay for water users’ legal fees in the inquiry, should they make an application.
“All the parties which may be criticised have their legal teams to represent them, which they should. Shouldn’t citizens and victims be represented as well?” Lee said.
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Lee is speaking at the preliminary hearing on a pro bono basis but said he planned to recommend another senior counsel to take up the job thereafter, saying he was too old to handle a long investigation.
