Judicial reviews in University of Hong Kong case thrown out because issue is now ‘academic’
Judge refuses applications in case involving university’s decision not to make liberal scholar Johannes Chan pro-vice-chancellor
The High Court has thrown out two judicial reviews challenging the controversial decision by the University of Hong Kong’s ruling council not to appoint liberal scholar Professor Johannes Chan Man-mun as pro-vice-chancellor two years ago.
Mr Justice Thomas Au Hing-cheung on Friday refused the applications lodged by then student union leaders Billy Fung Jing-en and Colman Li Fung-kei in December 2015 “for the reason that the intended judicial reviews have become academic” and would serve no practical purposes.
“The court should not entertain it,” he wrote in a 25-page judgment.
Chan’s appointment was recommended by a search committee set up by the council to fill the long-vacant post of pro-vice-chancellor (academic staffing and resources), who would be responsible for the university’s academic resources allocation and all facets of faculty recruitment, retention and professional development.
However, his bid was cut short on September 29, 2015 after the council voted 12-8 against the appointment following a string of accusations published in pro-Beijing newspapers against him. Then council chairman Dr Leong Che-hung said members had rationally debated for “the best interest for the university”.
The collateral damage at HKU of the Johannes Chan Man-mun decision
