Hong Kong judiciary issues special rules for Tai Po fire civil claims
Hong Kong's judiciary on 12 November issued two practice directions to manage civil claims from a deadly fire at Tai Po's Wang Fuk Court, aiming to ensure fair resource allocation and encourage alternative dispute resolution before litigation.
The Hong Kong judiciary on 12 November issued two special practice directions outlining how civil claims arising from the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po will be handled. The directions aim to ensure a fair and proportionate allocation of judicial resources without prejudicing the parties' rights to litigate and receive a fair trial.
Given the large number of casualties and serious damage caused by the fire, the judiciary expects a substantial number of claims involving complex issues and large compensation demands to be filed soon. Considering the time, costs and uncertainties involved, the directions state that, in the interests of the parties and the public, claims should first be resolved through without-prejudice negotiations, then through alternative dispute resolution including mediation, with litigation as a last resort.
The two practice directions instruct parties to attempt alternative dispute resolution before and after legal proceedings begin, and establish expedited court procedures aimed at resolving claims fairly, quickly and at reasonable cost. The first, Special Practice Note 1/2026, covers all civil claims from the fire handled by the High Court or the District Court, except for certain specified categories. The second, Special Practice Note 2/2026, covers employee compensation claims from the fire handled by the District Court, and civil claims handled by the Small Claims Tribunal or the Labour Tribunal.
Both practice directions took immediate effect and are available on the judiciary's website. The judiciary said it would not provide legal advice to litigants or comment on the merits of cases. The public was advised to consult lawyers or the Legal Aid Department for legal advice and assistance. Several free legal services are also available, including free legal advice schemes provided by the Duty Lawyer Service at various government offices.
The judiciary has also launched a dedicated webpage providing one-stop information on mediation for civil claims arising from the fire, including practical information, community mediation services and contact details for the judiciary's Integrated Mediation Office.
