Planning is of importance not only to the Government and land developers, it also affects the health, safety, convenience and general welfare of the community.

In Hong Kong, the Town Planning Board is the statutory body tasked to prepare outline zoning plans for Hong Kong. That power has been held to include the power to impose detailed and specific restrictions on buildings to be erected on land. The Town Planning Board also has the power to grant planning and rezoning applications. This potentially invasive power is subject to judicial scrutiny.

This talk will focus on how the Hong Kong Courts apply public law principles and the Basic Law to ensure that planning in Hong Kong is carried out in accordance with the law, both substantively and procedurally.

Mr. Benjamin Yu, SC (余若海 資深大律師) was admitted to the Hong Kong Bar in 1979. He took silk in 1995. He has served as Deputy High Court Judge and as Recorder in Hong Kong. He is currently in practice as senior counsel.

The Law Society of Hong Kong has awarded this seminar 1.5 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.