7/17/2020
CACV73/2020 JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION OF THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE AND ANOTHER v. ELECTORAL …
53.
In this connection, we can dispose of an argument on the evidential
requirement for this kind of systemic challenge. Mr Shieh submitted that it was
necessary for the Applicants to show “real and substantial risk” of harm and
they could not do so because there is no evidence to show that there would
likely be “profound impact” on the electors’ right to privacy or right to vote,
relying on RXG v Ministry of Justice [2020] 2 WLR 635 at [60]-[61].
54. With respect, RXG v Ministry of Justice, supra, was not a case in which a
systemic challenge was brought. In that case, the court was asked to consider
whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, a contra mundum injunction
should be extended the reporting restriction on the identity of a person
convicted of terrorist offence beyond his attainment of the age of 18. Though it
concerned the balancing of the right of privacy of the applicant under Article 8
of the European Convention and the freedom of expression, it was a case
specific exercise as there was no issue on the existence of the jurisdiction to
grant the injunction. We do not derive much assistance from that case on the
evidential requirement in the present context.
55. The case cited by Mr Chan, R (F) v Justice Secretary, supra, was a systemic
challenge, see [5] of the judgment. We shall discuss this case further in the
discussion on the proportionality analysis. At this stage, we note that the
approach of the Supreme Court was to examine if the impugned notification
requirements were capable of causing significant interference with article 8
rights, see [44]. At [42] Lord Phillips referred to the reality implicit in the
requirement and at [43] His Lordship found that there was an obvious risk
inherent in the practical compliance with the requirements.
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