The High Court on Thursday nonetheless reprimanded Ta Kung Pao over asking for nearly HK$1 million (US$128,650) in legal expenses from the jailed mogul for his failed application, saying there was no justification for engaging a former justice secretary now in private practice to handle a procedural matter.
Lai’s counsel argued that Ta Kung Pao, which is controlled by Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong through a subsidiary, repeatedly published the statements as part of a smear campaign against Lai.
The outlet presented multiple defences, including responsible journalism, fair comment and lack of malice, maintaining there were “reasonable grounds” to believe Lai was considering illegally leaving Hong Kong at the time.
Madam Justice Queeny Au Yeung Kwai-yue acknowledged in a judgment handed down on Thursday that the case involved “great public interest”, given Lai’s prominent status and “wide circulation” of the newspaper under attack.
But she said a jury trial would not serve the efficient administration of justice.
