Court adjourns compensation case for dancer Mo Lee, default judgment possible

The District Court on Tuesday adjourned a compensation case filed by dancer Mo Lee Kai-yin against his former employer to July. 

The judge indicated that a default judgment in favor of Lee could be issued if the employer fails to respond.

The 30-year-old dancer initiated the claim last October, seeking employee compensation from Studiodanz Company Limited after sustaining severe injuries from the neck down due to a falling screen during a concert by the boy band Mirror in July 2022. The fall of the giant TV screen had left Lee, at risk of paralysis from the neck down.

In his writ, Lee claimed an average monthly income exceeding HK$70,000. He was injured on July 28, 2022, while employed as a dancer at Studiodanz.

During Tuesday's proceedings, no representative appeared on behalf of Studiodanz. 

District Judge Phillis Loh Lai-ping adjourned the case to July 4 at the claimant’s request, allowing time for the respondent to submit necessary documents, citing a change of address for Studiodanz’s office.

Lee’s lawyer said that all directors and secretaries of Studiodanz had resigned amid ongoing investigations related to insurance and other individuals pertinent to the case.

Loh issued an order setting a compliance deadline, warning that unless Studiodanz submits the required documents and responds promptly, the court will issue a “default judgment” -- in favor of Lee.

Despite the adjournment, Loh questioned the necessity of delaying the case, given that Lee had confirmed Studiodanz as his former employer. She added that the claimant could request a default judgment due to the respondent's absence at the hearing. 

Loh also said that any subsequent discovery of other involved individuals or companies would not affect the judgment.

(Marcus Lum)