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CAMP136/2025

The Applicant v. The Secretary for Justice

EN

Case Details

Case ReferenceCAMP136/2025
CourtCourt of Appeal of the High Court 高等法院(上訴法庭)
Date Published2026-03-19
LanguageEnglish
NCN[2026] HKCA 481
Claimant / ApplicantThe Applicant (Nigerian National)
Defendant / RespondentSecretary for Justice
JudgesHon Kwan VP, Anthony Chan JA

Judgment Summary

Facts

  • Applicant is a Nigerian national who overstayed since 2015.
  • Non-refoulement claim lodged on 12 April 2017.
  • Claim rejected by Director (2017) and Board (2019).
  • Leave for judicial review refused on 18 February 2025.
  • Application for extension of time to appeal filed late.

Issues

  • Whether to extend time for appealing against refusal of leave.
  • Whether there was procedural unfairness regarding translation.
  • Whether there was a lack of legal assistance.
  • Whether the intended appeal has any prospect of success.

Outcome

  • Extension of time to appeal refused.
  • Summons filed on 24 July 2025 dismissed.
  • Intended appeal found to have no prospect of success.

Implication

  • Ignorance of rules is not a satisfactory reason for delay.
  • No absolute right to free legal representation in non-refoulement claims.
  • Interpretation services not required at all times if applicant is conversant in English.

Laws & Authorities Cited

  • §Rules of the High Court (Cap 4A), O.53, r.3(4)
  • §Secretary for Justice v Hong Kong & Yaumati Ferry Co Ltd [2001] 1 HKC 125
  • §Nupur Mst v Director of Immigration [2018] HKCA 524
  • §Re Gurung Sagar [2019] HKCA 658
  • §Re Paswan Shibu Lal [2018] HKCA 249