In June 2006, Mimi Wong, former head of HSBC's private banking in Asia, filed a lawsuit against her Latin dance instructors, seeking the return of HK$62 million (US$8 million) in prepaid fees. According to the South China Morning Post, this action comes after allegations that one of the instructors insulted her in front of a crowd at a Causeway Bay restaurant.

Detailing her grievances before the Court of First Instance, Wong expressed her initial enthusiasm for the dance lessons, which were initially scheduled for an intensive regimen of "6 lessons a day, 7 days a week."

However, on August 25, 2004, during a practice session at Li Hua Restaurant in Causeway Bay, she recounted how her trainer Mirko Saccani publicly criticized her, using derogatory language and insulting remarks such as "move your a***" and "lazy cow."

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Wong's Lawsuit

Continuing her testimony, Wong commented on her dissatisfaction with Saccani's conduct, who allegedly pressured her to prepay increasingly large sums of money. The agreed fee amounted to HK$120 million for eight years of unlimited dance lessons and competitions, with Saccani contracted to serve as her partner and instructor.

The court ruled in Wong's favor, ordering Saccani and his colleague Gaynor Fairweather to repay HK$62 million (US$8 million) in prepaid fees. Deputy Judge Gerard Muttrie emphasized that Saccani's behavior breached the trust and confidence inherent in their agreement. Wong is also entitled to an additional sum of HK$4.6 million (US$600 thousand) in interest.

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