Bar Association backs criminalising bid-rigging
The Bar Association on Sunday said it supports the criminalisation of bid-rigging activities through amendments to the Competition Ordinance. This came as its task force on law review proposed about 50 legislative amendments following the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire. It covered bid-rigging, tender specifications, declaration of interests, as well as project safety and risks. Jose-Antonio Maurellet, chairman of the association, expressed support of criminalising bid-rigging in parallel to the existing civil regime. “The existence of the dual-track system, of course, does not mean that civil and criminal proceedings would be taken forward at the same time for the same case – this would contravene the principle against double jeopardy,” he said. “The enforcement authorities concerned will therefore need to coordinate with one another and to decide whether a case is to be dealt with by civil enforcement or by criminal prosecution.” He went on to say that under the new criminal offence, the elements of crime, such as the definition of bid-rigging and the burden of proof, must be clearly defined. The association also proposed to amend the Building Management Ordinance, saying if a project exceeds a certain value, tenders must be submitted in “two envelopes” – one for the technical proposal and the...
Read full articleMORE NEWS
Could a midterm defeat tame Trump? Not on foreign policy, Chinese experts say
A potential lame-duck phase may not deter US President Donald Trump from pursuing more “transactional” or “risky” foreign policy moves after the midterm elections, Chinese experts warn, while casting doubt on expectations of a powerful Democratic wave. Amid a season of high-stakes contests that could reshape global politics, the US vote on Tuesday stands out. The election, which will determine who takes control of the US Congress, could result in Trump and his fellow Republicans no longer...
Multi-storey shanty town: Homeless migrants and drug addicts have turned a £4-an-hour town centre car park into a no-go area
At least a dozen men have set up makeshift homes among the concrete pillars of Reading's Civic B Car Park, where the rate for an hour recently shot up from £2.10 to £4.30.
How one neighbour on a quiet Welsh street helped bring down international prostitution ring
Four people have been jailed after a suspicious neighbour kept a log of visitors that exposed the gang's activities
JD Vance's adorable son Alec is dressed up as Dobby the Elf from Harry Potter for Halloween as vice president shows off his Dumbledore wig... while Trump parties at Mar-a-Lago
Both the Vice President and President Donald Trump were celebrating the holiday, thought Trump, in a Mar-a-Lago ceremony, admitted he'd dressed as himself.
325 arrested at pro-Palestine Action demo as they pledge support for banned group outside US Embassy in London
The majority who were detained were done so for expressing support for a proscribed organisation, the Metropolitan Police said.
China’s Xi says strict party governance has positive impact, does not stifle growth
Chinese President Xi Jinping has mounted a direct defence of the campaign for strong Communist Party governance and internal discipline, describing them as a “fundamental guarantee” for China’s rise and warning against any easing of scrutiny, according to state media. Xi took the floor as the party’s 20th Central Committee closed its fifth plenum on Thursday, to directly address the scepticism over the sweeping campaign, state news agency Xinhua reported on Sunday. According to “side notes”...
Putin 'would answer' if Zelensky called, Kremlin aide says as Ukraine and Russia trade strikes
The aide emphasised that if Zelensky wants to speak in person, he is welcome to visit Moscow.
Inside Costa Rica's new mega-prison based on El Salvador's infamous jail as its first inmates arrive
Costa Rica locked up more than 120 inmates this week in a new $35million mega prison, built with the help of the Salvadoran government on the outskirts of San Jose.
Europe's Dark Knight: Gen Z protests turns violent in Germany while hundreds arrested in France on Halloween as wave of unrest hits continent
Rioters in Germany looted shops and allegedly stole guns, while protesters in Lisbon clashed with officers in the early hours of the morning.
Elle Edwards' gunman killer sees legal aid bill pass £300,000
Connor Chapman, 25, fatally shot 26-year-old Ms Edwards with a sub-machine gun outside The Lighthouse Pub in the Wirral, Merseyside, on Christmas Eve 2022 as part of a gang feud.
Labour minister faces fury after insisting employers are 'not working people' in awkward interview
Emma Reynolds attempted to make the distinction as she was challenged on whether Labour had broken its manifesto by ramping up taxes.
Bradley Lowery's mum issues emotional plea after tragic son, 6, used in sickening football taunt
A football fan was spotted allegedly taunting Sunderland AFC fans with a picture of Bradley Lowery, who died age 6
