The prosecution over the fire at Wang Fuk Court was adjourned to 14 January 2027 at a hearing at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on 29 October. Chief Magistrate Su Wai Tak granted the prosecution’s request; the defendants did not have to enter pleas.
Seven people and two companies, Will Power Architects Company Limited and Prestige Construction & Engineering Company Limited, face 25 charges connected with the fire, which killed 168 people. The alleged offences include manslaughter, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, tax evasion and attempted perverting the course of justice.
Prosecutors sought more time to obtain legal advice on the fraud-related charges, including whether to add or amend charges. They also asked for an adjournment to allow further police investigation and expert advice in the manslaughter case.
One of the companies, Will Power Architects Company Limited, had been ordered into liquidation and a provisional liquidator appointed. The High Court had approved the proceedings against it continuing, but the company had no representative at the hearing.
The chief magistrate said the liquidator would not represent the company and that its absence could be treated as a not-guilty plea, HK01 reported. After being asked about appointing a representative, the first defendant said he needed further legal advice.