宗教團體管理不善，法院可否介入？？申索得直

### 案件基本資料 - 案件名稱：釋照月 v 律政司司長 及 另一人 (HCMP 496/2017) 及 歐陽順美 及 潘潔芳 v 詹豐 及 另一人 (HCA 595/2019) - 法院：高等法院原訟法庭 (Court of First Instance, CFI) - 法官：朱佩瑩法官 (Hon B Chu J) - 判決日期：2023年5月30日 ### 案情摘要 本案涉及兩個訴訟，均關乎一個名為曼華堂（「佛堂」）的非法人團體，該佛堂是荃灣芙蓉山一塊土地的註冊擁有人，土地上建有竹林禪院（「寺廟」）。佛堂被認定為宗教團體，其資產以慈善信託形式持有。主要爭議方為僧人釋照月（「釋」）與佛堂及其現任成員，以及佛堂創辦人融秋法師的兩名家屬詹豐和龐宗懷（「詹龐」）。釋照月在HCMP 496/2017中尋求根據《受託人條例》（香港法例第29章）第57A(b)(i)條頒布一項「妥善管理令」（「BAO」）。佛堂則在HCA 595/2019中向詹龐提出訴訟，要求收回融秋和尚紀念堂的部分業權、追討代管費，並要求詹豐交還佛堂的財務文件及印章。佛堂亦對釋照月提出其無訴訟資格（locus standi）的質疑。兩宗案件合併審理。 ### 核心法律爭議 本案的核心法律爭議包括：釋照月、詹豐和龐宗懷是否有訴訟資格（locus standi）尋求妥善管理令（BAO）；佛堂的現任成員和司理（manageresses）是否具備資格擔任其職位；佛堂是否存在管理不善，包括對「姑太」存款的處理、電話線的終止、驅逐僧人濟平法師和釋照月，以及對芙蓉山道路的阻塞；佛堂的財務管理是否存在不當，特別是涉及歡喜心慈善會有限公司（Graciously Affection）的運作；以及佛堂對詹豐和龐宗懷的指控是否成立，包括詹豐是否違反僱員職責、詹龐是否不當干預佛堂事務，以及龐宗懷是否不當佔用融秋和尚紀念堂。 ### 判決理由 法庭裁定，根據《受託人條例》第57A(a)(iii)條，釋照月作為觀音巖的住持及虛雲和尚紀念堂濟平法師的繼承人，與佛堂有密切關係，其利益顯著大於普通公眾，故具備訴訟資格。詹豐和龐宗懷作為佛堂創辦人的家屬及長期義工，亦具備訴訟資格。法庭發現佛堂在處理「姑太」存款、驅逐僧人及阻塞道路方面存在管理不善。佛堂現任司理歐陽順美和潘潔芳因不符《簡章》規定（非尼姑）且能力不足，應被免職。成員黃美珍因非前成員的弟子，不具備成員資格。法庭強調《基本法》第141條不阻礙法院對慈善信託的管理進行干預，並認為佛堂的《簡章》存在歧義和遺漏，需要全面檢討和修訂。詹豐不當扣留佛堂文件，須賠償損失。龐宗懷獲准終身免租居住於融秋和尚紀念堂的附屬建築物。 ### 引用案例與條文 本案引用了《受託人條例》（香港法例第29章）第57A條，該條文允許法院在慈善信託管理不善時頒布妥善管理令。法院亦參考了上訴法庭在Liquidation Committee of Foshan Hongda Development Ltd/佛山市宏達發展公司清算組 v East Legend Investment Limited [2009] 1 HKLRD 169一案中關於訴訟資格（locus standi）挑戰的法律原則，以及G Lam J在處理黃泥路通行權爭議的判決。此外，法院還考慮了《基本法》第141條關於宗教組織內部事務的規定，但認為其不影響法院對慈善信託的監督權。本案未有特別引用。 ### 裁決與命令 法院頒布了妥善管理令（BAO），並要求律政司協助確定其範圍和條款。佛堂對龐宗懷的佔用物業申索被駁回。詹豐因不當扣留佛堂文件，須就佛堂所受損失進行賠償評估。法院宣告黃美珍不具備佛堂成員資格，歐陽順美和潘潔芳不具備司理資格，應予免職。龐宗懷獲准終身免租居住於融秋和尚紀念堂的附屬建築物。佛堂須支付釋照月、律政司司長、詹豐和龐宗懷的訟費。 ### 判決啟示 本判決重申了法院在慈善信託管理不善時，即使涉及宗教組織，仍有權根據《受託人條例》頒布妥善管理令。判決明確了「與信託有利害關係的人」（persons otherwise interested in the trust）的廣泛解釋，包括與慈善機構有長期密切關係的僧侶和創辦人家庭成員。此外，判決強調了慈善組織在財務管理和內部治理方面需遵循明確的規章制度，並對不稱職的司理和不合資格的成員進行免職，對《簡章》的歧義和遺漏提出修訂建議，對香港慈善團體的治理具有重要啟示。 --- ### 免責聲明 本摘要由人工智能自動生成，內容可能存在錯誤或遺漏，僅供參考，不構成法律意見。如需法律建議，請諮詢合資格律師。### Case Details - Case Name: Sik Chiu Yuet v Secretary for Justice and Another (HCMP 496/2017) and Au-Yeung Shun Mei and Poon Kit Fong v Jan Fung and Another (HCA 595/2019) - Court: Court of First Instance (CFI) - Judge: Hon B Chu J - Date of Judgment: 30 May 2023 ### Factual Background This case involves two sets of proceedings concerning Man Wa Tong ("the Tong"), an unincorporated association and registered owner of land in Fu Yung Shan, Tsuen Wan, where Chuk Lam Sim Yuen ("the Temple") is located. The Tong is recognized as a religious t'ong holding assets on a charitable trust. The main protagonists are Sik Chiu Yuet ("Sik"), a monk, and the Tong with its current members, as well as Jan Fung and Pong Chung Wai ("JP"), family members of the Tong's founder. Sik initiated HCMP 496/2017 seeking a "better administration order" ("BAO") under Section 57A(b)(i) of the Trustee Ordinance (Cap 29). The Tong commenced HCA 595/2019 against JP, seeking possession of part of Yung Chau Memorial Hall, mesne profits, and the return of financial documents and chops from Jan Fung. The Tong also challenged Sik's locus standi. The two actions were tried together. ### Key Legal Issues The core legal issues include: whether Sik Chiu Yuet, Jan Fung, and Pong Chung Wai have the locus standi to seek a Better Administration Order (BAO); whether the current members and manageresses of the Tong are qualified for their positions; whether there was mismanagement of the Tong's general affairs, including the handling of "Goo Tai" deposits, termination of a telephone line, eviction of monks Chai Ping and Sik, and obstruction of the road to Fu Yung Shan; whether there was mismanagement of the Tong's financial affairs, particularly concerning the operation of Graciously Affection Association Limited; and whether the Tong's allegations against Jan Fung and Pong Chung Wai, such as breach of employee duties, wrongful interference with Tong affairs, and wrongful occupation of Yung Chau Memorial Hall, are substantiated. ### Ratio Decidendi The Court ruled that Sik Chiu Yuet, as the Abbot of Guan Yin Grotto and successor to Chai Ping of Hui Wan Memorial Hall, had a materially greater interest than ordinary members of the public, thus possessing locus standi under Section 57A(a)(iii) of the Trustee Ordinance. Jan Fung and Pong Chung Wai, as family members of the founder and long-term volunteers, also had locus standi. The Court found mismanagement by the Tong in handling "Goo Tai" deposits, evicting monks, and obstructing the road. The current manageresses, AuYeung Shun Mei and Poon Kit Fong, were deemed unqualified due to not being nuns as required by the Abridged Regulations and their demonstrated incompetence. Member Wong Mee Chun Eallen was also found unqualified. The Court affirmed that Article 141 of the Basic Law does not preclude judicial intervention in the administration of charitable trusts and noted ambiguities and omissions in the Tong's Abridged Regulations requiring review. Jan Fung was found to have wrongfully withheld Tong documents, warranting damages. Pong Chung Wai was granted a lifelong rent-free license to reside in the Attached Block of Yung Chau Memorial Hall. ### Key Precedents & Statutes This case cited Section 57A of the Trustee Ordinance (Cap 29), which empowers the court to make a better administration order for charitable trusts. Reference was made to the Court of Appeal's decision in Liquidation Committee of Foshan Hongda Development Ltd/佛山市宏達發展公司清算組 v East Legend Investment Limited [2009] 1 HKLRD 169 regarding challenges to locus standi, and G Lam J's judgment on the right of way over the Yellow Road. The court also considered Article 141 of the Basic Law concerning the internal affairs of religious organizations, concluding it does not restrict the court's supervisory role over charitable trusts. None prominently cited. ### Decision & Orders The Court granted a Better Administration Order (BAO) and requested the Secretary for Justice to assist in defining its format and scope. The Tong's claim for possession against Pong Chung Wai was dismissed. Jan Fung was ordered to have damages assessed for wrongfully withholding the Tong's documents. The Court declared Wong Mee Chun Eallen unqualified as a member, and AuYeung Shun Mei and Poon Kit Fong unqualified as manageresses, ordering their removal. Pong Chung Wai was granted a declaration of lifelong rent-free residence in the Attached Block of Yung Chau Memorial Hall. The Tong was ordered to pay costs to Sik Chiu Yuet, the Secretary for Justice, Jan Fung, and Pong Chung Wai. ### Key Takeaways This judgment reaffirms the court's power to issue a Better Administration Order for mismanagement in charitable trusts, even those involving religious organizations, under the Trustee Ordinance. It broadens the interpretation of "persons otherwise interested in the trust" to include monks and family members of founders with long-standing, close ties to the charity. The ruling underscores the importance of clear governance and financial management in charitable organizations, leading to the removal of unqualified manageresses and members, and recommending revisions to the Tong's governing regulations. This has significant implications for the governance of charitable bodies in Hong Kong. --- ### Disclaimer This summary is AI-generated and may contain errors or omissions. It is for reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a qualified lawyer for professional legal advice.