Wang Fuk Court Inquiry: Residents’ Participation and Recommendations for Reform
Public Law
Jeffrey Tam and Andrew Lau, together with Colman Li and Esmond Wong, represented nine Wang Fuk Court residents pro bono before the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (“Independent Committee”). They were instructed by Jonathan Man, Yau Kwok Hei and Nicole Ng of Messrs. Ho Tse Wai & Partners.
The Independent Committee was established by the Chief Executive on 12 December 2025 to review the causes of the fire and related issues, and to recommend measures to prevent similar tragedies.
The Independent Committee’s report was published on 29 October 2026 following 30 days of hearings, which is available here: Volume 1 and Volume 2.
Over the course of the hearing, the residents gave evidence about their repeated complaints to the authorities about on-site smoking by workers, the tendering and voting process for the renovation works, and how rapidly the fire developed on the day. Several recommendations were made by the Committee, including the following (references are to Annex 1 of the report):
• Accepting photographic and video evidence of construction-site smoking when enforcing smoking offences (Recommendation 34);
• Introducing a protocol to verify that proxy votes are properly executed by homeowners (Recommendation 117);
• Giving the operator of the proposed Enhanced Support Service, which would help homeowners obtain professional advice and manage tenders for repairs required under the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme, a clear mandate and adequate resources to combat bid manipulation and other tendering malpractices (Recommendation 81);
• Making unannounced site inspections the default for material safety audits and complaint investigations, except where prior notice is strictly necessary (Recommendation 54); and
• Requiring phased external-wall repairs for large-scale renovations involving multiple buildings, to reduce the risk of fire spreading between them (Recommendation 7).
The Committee also highlighted coordination failures between the Independent Checking Unit (“ICU”) and Buildings Department (“BD”). The Government has since announced a different arrangement: replacing the ICU with a new Public Housing Building Control Section, alongside reforms to the BD.
The legal team extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and all those affected. We hope the Committee’s report will help secure meaningful accountability and lasting reforms to prevent another tragedy.
Jeffrey Tam
“He has effective advocacy and what most impresses me is that he can advise clients in a very practical way, not just on winning or losing but on what the best outcome is for them.”
Chambers and Partners Greater China Region Guide 2026
Commercial Dispute Resolution, Administrative & Public Law (Band 1)
Jeffrey Tam, FHKIArb, attended St. Anne’s College at the University of Oxford for a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) on a scholarship after reading law at the City University of Hong Kong. In Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2026 edition, he is recognised as a “Tier 1 Leading Junior” in Administrative and Public Law, and “Leading Junior” in Commercial disputes and Construction and property.
Visit Jeffrey’s profile for more details.
Andrew Lau
“Andrew is one of the best junior barristers in town in the area of public law. His deep and comprehensive understanding of law and his innovative perspectives of presenting his case are very recognised in court and by the clients.”
Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2026: Administrative and Public Law – Tier 1 Leading Junior;
Regulatory, investigations and crime – Rising Star
Andrew is a Charles Ching Scholar and a Patrick Yu Scholar. He has a broad civil and criminal practice. He is also a Rising Star for Regulatory, Investigations and Crime, and Tier 1 Leading Junior for Administrative and Public Law in Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2026.
Visit Andrew’s profile for more details.
This article was first published on 6 November 2026.
Disclaimer: This article does not constitute legal advice and seeks to set out the general principles of the law. Detailed advice should therefore be sought from a legal professional relating to the individual merits and facts of a particular case. The photographs which appear in this article are included for decorative purposes only and should not be taken as a depiction of any matter to which the case is related. The views and opinions expressed in this article/material are solely those of the members authoring it and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Denis Chang’s Chambers, or of any other member or members of Denis Chang’s Chambers.