Lydia Lau

APPOINTMENT

Judiciary, HKSAR (Dec 2018 to Sept 2019, Jun 2020 to Aug 2020)
Deputy Magistrate

Home Affairs Department, HKSAR (April 2020 to Present)
Member of Appeal Board (Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation), Appeal Board (Clubs (Safety of Premises)) and Appeal Board (Bedspace Apartments)

Committee on Criminal Law and Procedure, Hong Kong Bar Association (2016 to 2018 & 2020 to Present)
Committee Member

PRACTICE

Lydia accepts instructions in both civil and criminal matters with a particular focus on criminal law. Lydia is regularly instructed to advise and to conduct trials in all levels of court in her own right or as a junior.

Lydia’s practice spans the whole spectrum of criminal cases including homicide, money laundering, Custom & Excise, triad, violent crime, dangerous drugs, immigration offence. She is also experienced in handling quasi-criminal cases, such as industrial summonses, traffic offences, labour summonses and forfeiture proceedings.

Lydia is also experienced in handling licensing matters, with a particular interest in liquor licence and hotel and guesthouse matters, she is regularly instructed to appear at the Liquor Licensing Board and Municipal Services Appeals Board since 2012.

In 2020, Lydia was appointed by the Chief Executive to sit as member of three statutory Appeal Boards, namely Appeal Board (Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation), Appeal Board (Clubs (Safety of Premises)) and Appeal Board (Bedspace Apartments).

SELECTED CASES

HKSAR v Tsang Cheung Yan & Others (HCCC 459 of 2016)(Homicide)
Instructed as a junior to appear in trial, successfully defended the second defendant against the charge of murder.

HKSAR v Chu Ho-wah & Others (HCCC 367 of 2016)(Trafficking of Dangerous Drugs)
Instructed as a junior to appear in trial for the second defendant.

HKSAR v Chan Kit Fung (DCCC 382 of 2016)(Dangerous Driving Causing Death)
Acted as advocate in trial, the case involved the handling of motor expert.

HKSAR v Shamsudeen Syed Ahmed (DCCC 947 of 2013)(Money Laundering)
Instructed as a junior to appear in trial, the case involved the taking of evidence in Malaysia which was the result of a rare application of Letter of Request (mutual legal assistance) by Defence.

HKSAR v Paul Chong Choong-leong (ESCC 580 of 2012 and HCMA 258 of 2013)(Perverting the course of Public Justice)
Instructed as a junior to appear in trial and appeal for the defendant.

LANGUAGE

English (fluent), Cantonese (fluent), Putonghua (fluent), Japanese (elementary)