The High Court on Monday granted leave to hear a challenge against Health Secretary Lo Chung-mau’s decision to invalidate more than 20,000 Covid-19 vaccination exemption certificates.

The application for a judicial review was filed by Kwok Cheuk-kin – sometimes referred to as “the king of judicial reviews” because of the numerous legal challenges he has mounted over the years against government policies and decisions.

The certificates concerned were issued by seven doctors suspected of violating health regulations which require them to examine patients before issuing vaccine exemptions.

Kwok argued that Lo’s decision was in violation of the International Bill of Human Rights.

In a brief written notification, Justice Russell Coleman granted leave for the judicial review and scheduled a direction hearing on Tuesday morning, citing the “the potential urgency” of the situation.

The administration announced last month that the vaccine exemptions would be invalidated from Wednesday this week.