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Municipal Services Appeals Board

General Information

The Municipal Services Appeals Board ("the Board") is an independent statutory body established under the Municipal Services Appeals Board Ordinance, Cap. 220, in August 1990. The function of the Board is to hear and determine any appeal to the Board from the Licensing Appeals Board or an administrative decision from which an appeal lies to the Board under any Ordinance, such as refusal of the issue of a liquor licence, suspension of a restaurant licence, termination of the tenancy of a market stall, etc.

Membership

(Appointed by the Chief Executive)
At present, the Board consists of a Chairman, seven Vice-chairmen and 53 panel members.

Chairman
  • Dr. William WONG Ming-fung, SC, JP
Vice-chairmen
  • Mr. Christopher CHAIN Siao-liang, SC
  • Mr. Jonathan CHANG Tien-yin, SC
  • Ms. Cynthia CHUNG Wing-suet
  • Mr. Lawrence HUI Cheuk-lun
  • Miss Sylvia LEE Hiu-wah
  • Mr. Kenny LIN Ching-pui
  • Mr. Charles WONG Tuk-ching
Panel Members
  • Ms. Cindy CHAN Chui-bik
  • Ms. Jenny CHAN Heung-lin, JP
  • Ms. Shelley CHAN Hoi-yung
  • Dr. Emily CHAN Po-shan
  • Ms. CHAN Pui-ying
  • Mr. CHAN Wing-lung
  • Dr. CHEN Xiaofeng, MH
  • Mr. CHENG Chung-leung
  • Mr. CHENG Chung-pong
  • Mr. Arnold CHENG Ka-kui
  • Ir. Brian CHENG Wai-lung
  • Ms. Edlyn CHENG Wei-chi
  • Ir. Prof. Ken CHEUNG Ching-ngai
  • Mr. Desmond CHEUNG Chung-fu
  • Mr. Ikey CHEUNG Ho-yuen
  • Mr. Paul CHEUNG Lap
  • Mr. Wayne CHEUNG Wang-kei
  • Mr. Jaye CHIU Sai-kar
  • Mr. Jason Felix CHIU Tsz-kiu, JP
  • Dr. CHONG King-yee
  • Mr. CHUNG Hung-hing
  • Miss FANG Xin
  • Ir. Dr. Wilton FOK Wai-tung
  • Mr. Brian FUNG Pak-yan
  • Miss HO Yee-ping
  • Mr. KONG Chau-ming
  • Ms. Sammy KOO Chi-sum
  • Miss KUO Yue-ping
  • Ms. Anita KWOK Ying-ying
  • Ir. Dr. Alan LAM Hiu-fung, JP
  • Miss Rebecca LAO Iok-teng
  • Ms. LEUNG Pui-yee
  • Ir. Dr. Jimmy LI Chi-ho
  • Dr. LIU Chun-ho
  • Dr. Elvis LUK Wai-ki
  • Dr. Calvin MAK Hoi-kwan
  • Miss Charlotte MOU Tin-wai
  • Miss NGAN Ming-sau
  • Ms. NGAN Ming-yun
  • Mrs. Lillian OKUSAKO CHAN Pui-shan
  • Mr. Kyrus SIU King-wai
  • Cr. Alfred TANG Yu-chi
  • Dr. TSUI Chi-man
  • Dr. Jimmy WONG Chi-ho, SBS, JP
  • Ms. Shirley WONG Chi-lou
  • Miss Jacqueline WONG Chun-ni
  • Miss WONG Hing-man
  • Miss Kelly WONG Ka-lei
  • Mr. Wilson WONG Wai-shun
  • Ms. WONG Yuen-chi
  • Mr. YAN Wai-kiu, MH, JP
  • Ms. Angela YEUNG Pui-yan
  • Ir. Dr. Jacob YIU Chi-man
Secretary
  • Ms. Cassandra TAM
Appeals to the Board
Lodging of an appeal

Any person (hereinafter referred to as the appellant) who is aggrieved by a decision made by the Licensing Appeals Board or certain administrative decision from which an appeal lies to the Board under any Ordinance, may appeal to the Board, within the time limit specified in the relevant Ordinance, by completing the appeal form (This link will open in a new windowsample[pdf file]) and/or the authorisation form (This link will open in a new windowsample[pdf file]). The appellant should submit the duly completed appeal form by post or by hand to the Board Secretary (Address: Room 321, 3/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong).

After an appeal has been accepted by the Board, the respondent (i.e. the decision authority against whose decision has been appealed) will be required to serve on the appellant and any other person who is bound by the decision appealed against, and lodge with the Board, within 28 days a statement setting out the findings of fact with evidence in support thereof and the reasons for the decision. The appellant may make written representations on the statement to the Board within a specified period.

To avoid delayed or unsuccessful delivery of mail items to the Board, appellants and other relevant parties should ensure that their mail items bear sufficient postage before posting. They are responsible for any consequences arising from insufficient postage. (This link will open in a new windowLink to Hongkong Post)

For information about interpretation services for people of diverse race, you may refer to the information leaflet This link will open in a new windowhere.

Notice of Hearing

Notice of hearing will be served on the appellant, respondent and other parties to an appeal not less than two weeks prior to the date set for the hearing.

Hearing of an appeal

For the purposes of any appeal made to it, the Board is to be constituted by the Chairman or a Vice-chairman together with two panel members to hear and determine each appeal. The hearing shall be in public except in special circumstances. The hearing may be conducted in the English or Chinese language or both as the Board thinks fit. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided to the parties to the appeal if necessary.

The appellant, respondent or other parties to an appeal may be present at the hearing and make representations either in person or by counsel or solicitor or, with the consent of the Board, by some other person.

The Board may receive and consider any material, whether by way of oral evidence, written statements, documents or otherwise, even though such materials would not be admissible in evidence in civil or criminal proceedings. If necessary, the Board may examine on oath, affirmation or otherwise any person attending before it and require such person to answer all questions put by or with the consent of the Board.

Observers are to be seated in the area designated for them, and should keep silent during the hearing. All mobile communication devices must be switched to silent mode and the vibration function must be disabled. There should be no video/audio recording and photography at any time; and food and drink are not allowed in the hearing venue.

In case of inclement weather (such as Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal or Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued by the Hong Kong Observatory) during a hearing day, the Board will handle the scheduled hearing according to the arrangements laid down in the Notice ( This link will open in a new windowarrangements[pdf file]).

Decision

On determination of an appeal, the Board shall affirm, vary or set aside the administrative decision or the appeal board decision and, where it sets aside the administrative decision or the appeal board decision, it shall substitute its own decision.

The Board shall give reasons in writing for its decisions, and those reasons shall include its findings on material questions of fact and a reference to the evidence or other material on which those findings were based.

The Secretary to the Board shall serve a copy of the Board's decision and of the reasons for the decision on the parties to the appeal.

By virtue of section 10(1) of the Municipal Services Appeals Board Ordinance, the hearing of an appeal to the Board shall be held in public unless the Board orders otherwise in exercise of its powers under section 10(2). Hearing schedules and Decisions of the Board (including the names and identities of the parties mentioned therein and the subject matters of appeals) given in, or in respect of, public hearings are information in the public domain and will be made available in the website of the Board for public access. If a party to an appeal wishes to apply for a hearing to be held in private, he should make an application in writing to the Board hearing the appeal. All hearings before the Board will be set down for hearing in public unless the Board has ordered or directed the same to be held in private.

This link will open in a new windowPublic Zone (Written Decision)

(The above is an introduction of the Board. Reference may be made to the This link will open in a new windowMunicipal Services Appeals Board This link will open in a new windowOrdinance, Cap. 220, for more detailed information.)

This link will open in a new windowChairmen Zone (Restricted Access)

Enquiries

Secretariat of the Municipal Services Appeals Board

Address

Room 321, 3/F
East Wing, Central Government Offices
2 Tim Mei Avenue
Tamar
Hong Kong

Telephone
2810 2831
Facsimile number
2526 4133

Any enquiries relating to appeal cases before the Municipal Services Appeals Board should be made to the Board in writing by fax or by post. Email enquiries on or relating to appeal cases will not be entertained by the Board. General enquiry not relating to appeal cases may be made by email to: admwing@cso.gov.hk.

Please note that the Municipal Services Appeals Board does not entertain and will not reply to anonymous enquiries.

General Information

The Municipal Services Appeals Board ("the Board") is an independent statutory body established under the Municipal Services Appeals Board Ordinance, Cap. 220, in August 1990. The function of the Board is to hear and determine any appeal to the Board from the Licensing Appeals Board or an administrative decision from which an appeal lies to the Board under any Ordinance, such as refusal of the issue of a liquor licence, suspension of a restaurant licence, termination of the tenancy of a market stall, etc.

Membership

(Appointed by the Chief Executive)
At present, the Board consists of a Chairman, seven Vice-chairmen and 53 panel members.

Chairman
  • Dr. William WONG Ming-fung, SC, JP
Vice-chairmen
  • Mr. Christopher CHAIN Siao-liang, SC
  • Mr. Jonathan CHANG Tien-yin, SC
  • Ms. Cynthia CHUNG Wing-suet
  • Mr. Lawrence HUI Cheuk-lun
  • Miss Sylvia LEE Hiu-wah
  • Mr. Kenny LIN Ching-pui
  • Mr. Charles WONG Tuk-ching
Panel Members
  • Ms. Cindy CHAN Chui-bik
  • Ms. Jenny CHAN Heung-lin, JP
  • Ms. Shelley CHAN Hoi-yung
  • Dr. Emily CHAN Po-shan
  • Ms. CHAN Pui-ying
  • Mr. CHAN Wing-lung
  • Dr. CHEN Xiaofeng, MH
  • Mr. CHENG Chung-leung
  • Mr. CHENG Chung-pong
  • Mr. Arnold CHENG Ka-kui
  • Ir. Brian CHENG Wai-lung
  • Ms. Edlyn CHENG Wei-chi
  • Ir. Prof. Ken CHEUNG Ching-ngai
  • Mr. Desmond CHEUNG Chung-fu
  • Mr. Ikey CHEUNG Ho-yuen
  • Mr. Paul CHEUNG Lap
  • Mr. Wayne CHEUNG Wang-kei
  • Mr. Jaye CHIU Sai-kar
  • Mr. Jason Felix CHIU Tsz-kiu, JP
  • Dr. CHONG King-yee
  • Mr. CHUNG Hung-hing
  • Miss FANG Xin
  • Ir. Dr. Wilton FOK Wai-tung
  • Mr. Brian FUNG Pak-yan
  • Miss HO Yee-ping
  • Mr. KONG Chau-ming
  • Ms. Sammy KOO Chi-sum
  • Miss KUO Yue-ping
  • Ms. Anita KWOK Ying-ying
  • Ir. Dr. Alan LAM Hiu-fung, JP
  • Miss Rebecca LAO Iok-teng
  • Ms. LEUNG Pui-yee
  • Ir. Dr. Jimmy LI Chi-ho
  • Dr. LIU Chun-ho
  • Dr. Elvis LUK Wai-ki
  • Dr. Calvin MAK Hoi-kwan
  • Miss Charlotte MOU Tin-wai
  • Miss NGAN Ming-sau
  • Ms. NGAN Ming-yun
  • Mrs. Lillian OKUSAKO CHAN Pui-shan
  • Mr. Kyrus SIU King-wai
  • Cr. Alfred TANG Yu-chi
  • Dr. TSUI Chi-man
  • Dr. Jimmy WONG Chi-ho, SBS, JP
  • Ms. Shirley WONG Chi-lou
  • Miss Jacqueline WONG Chun-ni
  • Miss WONG Hing-man
  • Miss Kelly WONG Ka-lei
  • Mr. Wilson WONG Wai-shun
  • Ms. WONG Yuen-chi
  • Mr. YAN Wai-kiu, MH, JP
  • Ms. Angela YEUNG Pui-yan
  • Ir. Dr. Jacob YIU Chi-man
Secretary
  • Ms. Cassandra TAM
Appeals to the Board
Lodging of an appeal

Any person (hereinafter referred to as the appellant) who is aggrieved by a decision made by the Licensing Appeals Board or certain administrative decision from which an appeal lies to the Board under any Ordinance, may appeal to the Board, within the time limit specified in the relevant Ordinance, by completing the appeal form (This link will open in a new windowsample[pdf file]) and/or the authorisation form (This link will open in a new windowsample[pdf file]). The appellant should submit the duly completed appeal form by post or by hand to the Board Secretary (Address: Room 321, 3/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong).

After an appeal has been accepted by the Board, the respondent (i.e. the decision authority against whose decision has been appealed) will be required to serve on the appellant and any other person who is bound by the decision appealed against, and lodge with the Board, within 28 days a statement setting out the findings of fact with evidence in support thereof and the reasons for the decision. The appellant may make written representations on the statement to the Board within a specified period.

To avoid delayed or unsuccessful delivery of mail items to the Board, appellants and other relevant parties should ensure that their mail items bear sufficient postage before posting. They are responsible for any consequences arising from insufficient postage. (This link will open in a new windowLink to Hongkong Post)

For information about interpretation services for people of diverse race, you may refer to the information leaflet This link will open in a new windowhere.

Notice of Hearing

Notice of hearing will be served on the appellant, respondent and other parties to an appeal not less than two weeks prior to the date set for the hearing.

Hearing of an appeal

For the purposes of any appeal made to it, the Board is to be constituted by the Chairman or a Vice-chairman together with two panel members to hear and determine each appeal. The hearing shall be in public except in special circumstances. The hearing may be conducted in the English or Chinese language or both as the Board thinks fit. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided to the parties to the appeal if necessary.

The appellant, respondent or other parties to an appeal may be present at the hearing and make representations either in person or by counsel or solicitor or, with the consent of the Board, by some other person.

The Board may receive and consider any material, whether by way of oral evidence, written statements, documents or otherwise, even though such materials would not be admissible in evidence in civil or criminal proceedings. If necessary, the Board may examine on oath, affirmation or otherwise any person attending before it and require such person to answer all questions put by or with the consent of the Board.

Observers are to be seated in the area designated for them, and should keep silent during the hearing. All mobile communication devices must be switched to silent mode and the vibration function must be disabled. There should be no video/audio recording and photography at any time; and food and drink are not allowed in the hearing venue.

In case of inclement weather (such as Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal or Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued by the Hong Kong Observatory) during a hearing day, the Board will handle the scheduled hearing according to the arrangements laid down in the Notice ( This link will open in a new windowarrangements[pdf file]).

Decision

On determination of an appeal, the Board shall affirm, vary or set aside the administrative decision or the appeal board decision and, where it sets aside the administrative decision or the appeal board decision, it shall substitute its own decision.

The Board shall give reasons in writing for its decisions, and those reasons shall include its findings on material questions of fact and a reference to the evidence or other material on which those findings were based.

The Secretary to the Board shall serve a copy of the Board's decision and of the reasons for the decision on the parties to the appeal.

By virtue of section 10(1) of the Municipal Services Appeals Board Ordinance, the hearing of an appeal to the Board shall be held in public unless the Board orders otherwise in exercise of its powers under section 10(2). Hearing schedules and Decisions of the Board (including the names and identities of the parties mentioned therein and the subject matters of appeals) given in, or in respect of, public hearings are information in the public domain and will be made available in the website of the Board for public access. If a party to an appeal wishes to apply for a hearing to be held in private, he should make an application in writing to the Board hearing the appeal. All hearings before the Board will be set down for hearing in public unless the Board has ordered or directed the same to be held in private.

This link will open in a new windowPublic Zone (Written Decision)

(The above is an introduction of the Board. Reference may be made to the This link will open in a new windowMunicipal Services Appeals Board This link will open in a new windowOrdinance, Cap. 220, for more detailed information.)

This link will open in a new windowChairmen Zone (Restricted Access)

Enquiries

Secretariat of the Municipal Services Appeals Board

Address

Room 321, 3/F
East Wing, Central Government Offices
2 Tim Mei Avenue
Tamar
Hong Kong

Telephone
2810 2831
Facsimile number
2526 4133

Any enquiries relating to appeal cases before the Municipal Services Appeals Board should be made to the Board in writing by fax or by post. Email enquiries on or relating to appeal cases will not be entertained by the Board. General enquiry not relating to appeal cases may be made by email to: admwing@cso.gov.hk.

Please note that the Municipal Services Appeals Board does not entertain and will not reply to anonymous enquiries.