Andrew Christopher Lau > Denis Chang’s Chambers > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Lawyer Profile

Denis Chang’s Chambers
9th Floor, One Lippo Centre
89 Queensway
Admiralty
Hong Kong

Career

Prior to practising law, Andrew was already a household name in Hong Kong: he was a bilingual reporter for TVB News, where he also anchored the flagship newscasts News at Six-Thirty (六點半新聞) and Late News (晚間新聞).

Upon joining the Bar, Andrew was awarded the Charles Ching Memorial Scholarship. Since then, Andrew has been singled out for his involvement in various high-profile public law cases including the failure of police officers to display unique identification numbers and/or ranks on their uniformsthe election petition of ousted lawmaker Ms. Lau Siu-lai, and public access to the Civic Square.

In addition to public law, Andrew maintains a solid civil practice with an emphasis on commercial disputes, company/insolvency, equity/trusts, land and probate. Recent cases include Tse Dao Chuen v Cheung Wai Yan, where he successfully dismissed a claim for the entire beneficial interest in a property, Che Yim Mei v Lei Sio Peng & Anor, where he successfully convinced the Court, in a first-of-its-kind ruling, to uphold the validity of a notice of severance under section 17B of the Housing Ordinance (Cap. 283), and Re GTI Holdings Ltd, where he successfully sought an immediate winding up order against a Cayman incorporated company notwithstanding restructuring attempts.

Andrew also maintains a growing criminal law practice. In 2022, he was awarded the inaugural Patrick Yu Memorial Scholarship, which is given to high-calibre candidates to support their careers in criminal law.

Court work aside, Andrew teaches administrative law at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and media law at the Baptist University of Hong Kong. He also co-authored the inaugural title Judicial Review in the Halsbury’s Laws of Hong Kong series.

Andrew speaks English, Cantonese, Putonghua, and (conversational) Japanese.

Memberships

Hong Kong Bar Association

• Committee Member, Standing Committee on Legal Aid Reform (2020 – present)
• Committee Member, Standing Committee on Civic Education (2019 – present)

Teaching

Lecturer, Department of Journalism and Communication, Hong Kong Shue Yan University (2021 – present)

Lecturer, Department of Journalism, Hong Kong Baptist University (2020 – present)

Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Chinese University of Hong Kong (2019 – present)

Lecturer, Certificate in Legal Studies, HKUSPACE (2019 – present)

Lecturer/Tutor, Graduate Diploma in English and Hong Kong Law, HKUSPACE (2019 – present)

Lecturer, Division of Social Science, Community College of City University (2018 – 2020)

Education

PCLL (Distinction), Chinese University of Hong Kong (2017)

Juris Doctor (Top 5%), Chinese University of Hong Kong (2016)

Master of Journalism (Distinction), University of Hong Kong (2010)

BSc (Radio/TV/Film and Economics), Northwestern University (2009)

Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong (2006)

Diocesan Boys’ School (2004)

Lawyer Rankings

Hong Kong Bar > Administrative and public law

(Rising Stars)

Andrew Christopher Lau – Denis Chang’s Chambers ‘Andrew is a very hardworking barrister with outstanding advocacy and drafting skills. As a former journalist, he is particularly good at presenting his arguments in a logical way, making his written and oral submissions convincing and easy to understand, and he is also well-known for being good at explaining the most difficult and complex legal principles and cases in the most straightforward and practical way so that the clients would be able to comprehend them easily.’

Hong Kong Bar > Regulatory, investigations and crime

(Rising stars)

Andrew Christopher Lau – Denis Chang’s Chambers ‘Andrew has very strong written and advocacy skills in criminal and regulatory matters. As a young practitioner, he always shows confidence when he conducts trials as a defence lawyer, and his confidence is based on his excellent cross-examination skills and familiarity with legal principles.’