The Land (Compulsory Sale for Redevelopment) Ordinance will come into operation soon, subject to the endorsement of the Legislative Council.
The ordinance was enacted in April 1998, to be brought into operation on a day to be appointed by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands.
Under the ordinance, an owner or owners holding not less than 90 per cent of the undivided shares in a lot which is ripe for redevelopment can make an application to the Lands Tribunal for an order for the sale of the whole lot.
This would help to facilitate urban renewal by overcoming certain difficulties often encountered by the private sector in the course of property acquisition. Such problems include individual owners demanding unreasonably high prices, the presence of defective titles, owners whose whereabouts are untraceable, etc.
The Chief Justice has made rules dealing generally with matters of practice and procedures arising out of the ordinance. The rules were published in the gazette today (Friday) together with a commencement notice for the ordinance.
Subject to the statutory vetting process by the Legislative Council, the ordinance will come into operation by June 7, 1999.
End/Friday, April 23, 1999.
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