Increased Employees’ Compensation in 2025
The employees’ compensation scheme of Hong Kong sees a rise in compensation levels from 17 April 2025.
Heroin, Cocaine, and Ice trafficking updated in the Sentencing Calculator
The Sentencing Calculator has been updated following the Court of Appeal’s latest sentencing guideline in HKSAR v Huang Ruifang (黃瑞芳) [2025] HKCA 234
New Sentencing Guideline for Cocaine, Heroin, and Ice
The Court of Appeal seized a rare opportunity, in a case that spanned over eight years, to review the sentencing guidelines for cocaine, heroin, and ice. In this unusual decision, the sentence for trafficking an exceptionally large quantity of drugs was reduced.
Tightened control of “space oil”
Vaping with “space oil” will now face grave consequences as the compounds are now classified as dangerous drugs in Hong Kong.
UK Assisted Dying Bill: Right to Dignified Death Truly Free of Coercion?
The UK “Assisted Dying Bill” surprisingly progressed through its second reading in the Commons in November 2024. The bill continues to be contentious regarding the protection of vulnerable terminal patients.
How to Get Away with Robbery under Duress?
The surprising acquittal of the defendant after “robbing” a bank highlighted the complexities of duress and shed light on the thin line of coercion.
The 3 Steps in Drug Possession Sentence
Drug possession is a serious crime. In sentencing a drug user, the court follows a 3 steps approach which takes into account the latent risk of the drugs finding their way to others. Such a factor can substantially lengthen the term of imprisonment.
The Not-So-White Hat Hacker
A professor found guilty of hacking into a computer system but left open a question about hacking for good.
ChatGPT in the Courtroom
The recent guideline on using Generative AI by the Hong Kong Judiciary allows the use of AI in the courtroom but also provides a good reference for its pitfalls in the legal world.
Protecting Cats and Dogs in Traffic Accidents
It has long been the case that a driver does not need to stop in a traffic accident involving injuries to cats and dogs. That has changed since November 2021. Failing to stop in those cases is now a criminal offence.
The 6 Steps Affirmed
In a record-breaking drug bust, a man received the lengthiest sentence in Hong Kong history. On appeal, the court reviewed the sentencing principles of substantial quantities of drugs and clarified how the 6-step in Herry Jane Yusuph should be applied.