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Hong Kong Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah has been embroiled in a controversy about illegal structures since January 6, her first day in office, when news emerged of 10 unauthorised extensions to her and her husband's home in Tuen Mun. Cheng claims the four illegal structures were there when she bought the three-storey property in 2008. The scandal widened when new evidence emerged that she had bought a HK$62 million (US$8 million) luxury flat in Repulse Bay with a deed specifying illegal extensions on the property. A senior counsel since 2000 and former chairwoman of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, Cheng is the city's fourth justice minister.
Any major reforms must be approached cautiously and carefully to ensure high standards continue to be met and the rule of law is not undermined.
With the judiciary facing fire on multiple fronts, Mr Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung has put accountability and reform near the top of his agenda
Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng’s ironic promotion of Hong Kong as a dispute resolution centre and Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung’s shocking confession that he did not know why people are so angry are typical of the arrogance, self-entitlement and ignorance of the baby boomer leaders.
Agreement with China’s top court can only increase recognition and respect for Hong Kong’s legal system in the eyes of international community.
A law that is difficult to police is bad enough. It would be worse if the punishment was seen by some as not in line with the gravity of the offence
- ATAL Building Services Engineering of Analogue Holdings, set up by Otto Poon, will pay huge penalty after admitting liability in air-conditioning cartel cases
- Firm is one of two accused of price-fixing, market-sharing and bid-rigging, which could have affected air-conditioning projects worth some HK$2 billion
Teresa Cheng, who stepped down as justice secretary in June, predicts the plan, which involves several countries, will boost the city.
Among 21 key figures, seven are from incumbent administration, two have been promoted from undersecretary, six are serving or recently retired civil servants, and another six are newcomers.
Eric Chan, director of Chief Executive’s Office, expected to be nominated as chief secretary, according to sources.
Accusing critics of acting ‘out of ignorance or with ulterior motives’, Cheng maintains the press’ freedom to operate ‘has always been well respected in Hong Kong’.
Local legislative process will allow government some time and leeway to assess impact, or pros and cons of implementation of law, insider says.
Fresh off her four-day visit to Beijing, Teresa Cheng offers assurances the law will only be used to counter unreasonable sanctions on the city and country.
If anything, it is the deterioration of US-China relations that is creating problems for American businesses in Hong Kong
Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng is expected to ‘sign a number of cooperation arrangements … in the areas of legal, dispute resolution and deal-making services’.
Teresa Cheng aims to instil fairness in system she says deprives department colleagues of recognition, but concerns are raised about potential for legal profession.
Teresa Cheng says details of decisions based on national security and intelligence will not be disclosed, but other matters can still be challenged in court by affected individuals.
Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng says revamp aims to stop people who seriously undermine the country’s interests and constitutional order by entering political system.
Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng said some reports had ignored prosecutors’ arguments for seeking tougher sentences for those convicted over 2019’s social unrest.
Upholding the cab rank rule, which ensures that any client can seek quality legal representation of their choice, is vital because it is an indivisible part of the tradition, integrity and independence of the bar.
If People’s Daily’s commentary on the decision to grant Jimmy Lai bail was freedom of speech, so was Dominic Raab’s criticism of David Perry QC’s decision to take up high-profile Hong Kong activists’ case.
David Perry, who has handled numerous high-profile cases in the city over the past decade, had been labelled ‘mercenary’ by British foreign secretary.
Tam Yiu-chung, city’s sole delegate to country’s top legislative body, makes comments in publication as justice minister insists system ‘very much’ transparent.
Senior counsel William Tam was made acting director ‘for administrative convenience’ on New Year’s Eve, according to the government gazette.
In a commentary published in the Post, Cheng argues the discussion surrounding the term betrays a ‘pathetic’ lack of understanding of its implications.
Letters from the Department of Justice to the courts request an early date for a hearing to withdraw summonses in the private prosecution.
Teresa Cheng gives clearest indication yet on controversial issue, while also warning lawmakers that they are not immune from new legislation.
Teresa Cheng says she does not believe city’s leader will be appointing judges to hear specific cases, but will compile a list of those that can.
Teresa Cheng’s comments come as several such prosecutions, including ones tied to last year’s anti-government protests, have been allowed to proceed.
