Criminal Trials - Gordon Chan, Esq

New Offences to Combat Misuse of Public Housing

Gordon Chan, Esq — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 06:17:31 +0000

From 31 March 2026, a range of new tools became available to the Housing Authority to combat the abuse of public housing resources. Criminalising new abusive activities, granting additional powers, and extending prosecution deadlines. This marks a significant overhaul to support enforcement.

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The Right to Silence

Gordon Chan, Esq — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 13:06:16 +0000

Hong Kong remains one of the few places in the common law world where the right to silence is unaffected by legislation. The Court of Final Appeal examined different aspects of this right in two rulings over two years.

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Talk on Hong Kong Criminal Legal System to SideBySide Volunteers

Gordon Chan, Esq — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 02:28:07 +0000

Mr Gordon Chan highlighted Hong Kong's criminal legal system and the vital role of juries in the SideBySide Mock Trial competition for volunteers.

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The Old Man and the Wallet

Gordon Chan, Esq — Sat, 18 Oct 2025 05:20:13 +0000

In FLCC 368/2025, Mr Gordon Chan represented an elderly man accused of stealing money from a wallet he had picked up. The charge was withdrawn after it was established that the man suffered from dementia and was unfit to plead or stand trial.

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Another Case of Neglect in Public Housing Declaration

Gordon Chan, Esq — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 13:32:53 +0000

In WKS 7358/2025, Mr Gordon Chan mitigated on behalf of a defendant summonsed for neglecting to furnish information in a declaration. After considering her circumstances, the Magistrate acknowledged that the defendant was remorseful and imposed a fine of $6,000.

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The Case of a Used Man

Gordon Chan, Esq — Tue, 20 May 2025 04:08:06 +0000

A typical case of money laundering turns out to be a case of exploitation. A man of limited intelligence was being used, deceived, and charged. The case was unconditionally withdrawn after representations were made on his behalf.

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Witness for the Prosecution

Gordon Chan, Esq — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 08:30:17 +0000

While a criminal conviction may serve as evidence in a civil trial, an acquittal does not aid the defendant in civil proceedings.

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Authorship for Halsbury’s Laws of Hong Kong

Gordon Chan, Esq — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 01:39:46 +0000

Mr Gordon Chan is proud to be appointed as the latest author of Halsbury's Laws of Hong Kong for volume 42, Police and Emergency Services.

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Misuse of Public Housing Resources

Gordon Chan, Esq — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 05:12:56 +0000

In TMS 924/2025, Mr Gordon Chan represented the defendant, who faces a summons for the misuse of public housing resources. The Magistrate accepted that he was remorseful for his neglect and imposed a fine of $10,000.

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How to Get Away with Robbery under Duress?

Gordon Chan, Esq and Jennifer Liu — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:32:34 +0000

The surprising acquittal of the defendant after “robbing” a bank highlighted the complexities of duress and shed light on the thin line of coercion.

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