Bullying, Violence and Gangs
Fighting in public
Taking part in an unlawful fight in public is an offence, contrary to Section 25 of the Public Order Ordinance (Chapter 245). A "public place" is any place to which for the time being the public or any section of the public are entitled or permitted to have access, whether on payment or otherwise. The word “fight” must be given its ordinary meaning and involves an equality of aggression. Persons defending themselves against an attack are not in an equality of aggression situation. It does not matter who started the fight, who won the fight or what it was about provided there is an equality of aggression. Whether there was or was not a fight depends upon all the circumstances of the particular case. An agreement to fight in public to settle differences does not make the fight lawful. A properly licensed and supervised boxing match in a public park is however a different matter.
