A spokesman for the Department of Justice (DoJ) said today (March 14) that regarding the case of the attack on Mr Kevin Lau, which occurred on February 26, since the Secretary for Justice, Mr Rimsky Yuen, SC, and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Keith Yeung, SC, have known Mr Lau for many years and the three of them were classmates when they studied law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Hong Kong, the Secretary for Justice, in order to avoid any possible perception of bias or improper influence, after satisfying himself that the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Wesley Wong, SC, has no connection with any of the persons involved in the case, has delegated to Mr Wong the authority to handle the matter including (should it become necessary to do so) considering and deciding whether any prosecution is warranted.

Having considered the circumstances of this case and the public interest, the Secretary for Justice took the view that the community should be notified as to how the DoJ will handle the matter. The Secretary for Justice, as the head of the DoJ, will ensure that due and proper processes are observed in the conduct of the case and in strict accordance with the law and prosecution policy.

Ends/Friday, Mar 14, 2014