Why delayed reform stands in the way of class-action lawsuit over Hong Kong fire

Residents of Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court have vowed to collectively fight for justice in the aftermath of the city’s deadliest inferno in seven decades, as legal experts call for authorities to press ahead with a long-stalled proposal to introduce a class-action mechanism for multiparty litigation.Last November’s fire prompted some residents to question whether the time had come for a better way to take collective legal action against those responsible for the tragedy in Tai Po, which claimed 168 lives and left nearly 5,000 others displaced.Patrick Lau, 45, was among those who lost their homes and were forced to rebuild their lives, as he struggled to sort out claims for his flat at Wang Shing House – one of the estate’s residential blocks.He voiced support for the creation of a mechanism that would allow for class-action lawsuits.“If possible, we hope to see a class-action mechanism introduced. If it could help prevent such a tragedy from happening again, we would certainly support it,” Lau said.A retiree in his seventies surnamed Lee said his mother died in the tragedy and that he intended to pursue legal action and hoped to obtain legal aid to fund his case.