Authorities may appeal engineer’s non-custodial sentence in Queen Mary Hospital lift case

Hong Kong's Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) is contemplating an appeal against the non-custodial sentence of engineer Law Wing-chai, who was found liable for faulty lift installation work at Queen Mary Hospital's new clinical block. The agency expressed its intention to seek legal advice on reviewing the sentence after Law, 54, was held responsible for issuing false safety certifications and overlooking issues that led to malfunctions.

This decision came following the revelation that there were serious defects in 24 out of 28 lifts in the new block, causing delays in services. The defects included damaged electronic components, faulty wiring connections, and poor workmanship. Law was convicted on January 24, 2025, for submitting misleading documents and improperly issuing safety certificates.

The EMSD revoked his registration for lift engineering effective October 8, suspending it for six months in March 2025. Since then, the engineer has not issued any test or examination reports or safety certificates. The EMSD will persist in investigating instances related to the lift works at the new clinical block, with no leniency shown if illegal acts are discovered, and prosecutions will be pursued as per relevant laws.