P.C.LL.	The University of Hong Kong	2001
Law Professional Course	The Institute of Professional Legal Studies of New Zealand	1999
LL.B. (Hons)	The University of Auckland, New Zealand	1999

Trainer for the officers of the Labour Department on Investigation, Prosecution, Court Procedures and on matters of Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board	2014,2019, 2021-2023
Part-time Lecturer for “Criminal Procedure” at The University of Hong Kong for Bachelor of Laws degree	Fall 2016
Deputy Special Magistrate	2009

Amanda Li practises in criminal and civil law.

Amanda practises in all areas of criminal law, ranging from serious traffic offences to complex general crimes. She specialises in defending money laundering and complexed commercial charges. Amanda appears as a leading junior, a led junior or alone, defending high-profile individuals across all court levels including the Court of Final Appeal. Amanda is regularly instructed by the Department of Justice to prosecute select cases in the District Court. In 2009, Amanda served as a Deputy Special Magistrate.

Amanda’s expertise as a leading junior in criminal law has been recognised by the Doyles Guide:

• “Preeminent” Junior Counsel, Doyles Guide 2026 (Leading Criminal Law Barristers – Hong Kong)
• “Preeminent” Junior Counsel, Doyles Guide 2025 (Leading Criminal Law Barristers – Hong Kong)
• “Recommended” Junior Counsel, Doyles Guide 2024 (Leading Criminal Law Barristers – Hong Kong)

The Doyles’ Guide highlights a list of leading Barristers practising in criminal law matters in the Hong Kong market who have been identified by the region’s Criminal Law solicitors and fellow counsel for their expertise and abilities in the area.

https://doylesguide.com/leading-criminal-law-barristers-hong-kong-2026/

In her civil commercial practice, Amanda appears in the High Court as advocate in her own right and as a led junior in cases involving fraud, shareholders and contractual disputes.

Amanda conducts cases in both Cantonese and English and speaks conversational Putonghua.

Criminal cases

1. Yan Sui Ling (嚴穗陵) v. HKSAR [2012] 15 HKCFAR 146

Chinese investor Madam Yan Sui Ling was convicted of a charge of money laundering in the District Court. Amanda, led by her Head of Chambers, Mr. Wong Man Kit S.C. conducted the appeal in the Court of Appeal against the conviction. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal. Amanda, led by Mr. Wong S.C., further conducted the appeal in the Court of Final Appeal, and leave to appeal was granted on the limb of substantial and grave injustice. The Court of Final Appeal accepted their submissions and quashed Madam Yan’s conviction. The case involved the significant issue of the underground banking system in mainland China on money laundering offences in Hong Kong.

 

2. HKSAR v. Shum Kin Wing (沈建榮) and Another (CACC No. 437/2013; DCCC No. 175/2013)

The Defendants were charged with money laundering offences based on their five years’ bank account transactions and their tax returns. Amanda, led by Mr. Wong S.C., defended the Defendants and they were convicted of a number of charges after trial. Amanda, led by Mr. Wong S.C. conducted the appeal in the Court of Appeal and the convictions were quashed, and no retrial was ordered. The issues involved points of law arising from the Court of Final Appeal’s decision in Pang Hung Fai and whether the trial judge erred in his findings of facts and his application of the test as expounded in Pang Hung Fai.

 

3. HKSAR v. Ng Yiu Chung (吳耀宗) [2025] HKDC 223

In 2018, a school bus rolled downhill in North Point, resulting in a fatal accident that killed give people and seriously injured two others. In 2019, the Defendant was summoned for vacating his vehicle without setting the brake, to which he pleaded guilty and was fined HK$2,000. In 2023, he was re-arrested and charged with more serious offences, namely, dangerous driving causing five deaths and grievous bodily harm to two others. The matter was transferred to the District Court for trial. Amanda, representing the Defendant applied for a permanent stay of proceedings, relying on the rule against double jeopardy（「免受雙重損害」原則which extends beyond the principle of autrefois convict/ acquit（「一罪兩審」）.

Amanda successfully obtained a permanent stay of the proceedings on the grounds that the second prosecution was based on the same or substantially similar facts, with no special or exceptional circumstances to justify it. Consequently, the rule against double jeopardy was breached, constituting a violation of Article 11(6) of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights which mandates a permanent stay of proceedings in such cases. Even if Article 11(6) did not apply, the court would still have exercised its discretion to order a permanent stay under common law. Amanda also successfully applied for costs.

 

4. HKSAR v. Lee Kam Chuen (李錦泉) [2023] HKDC 1055

The Defendant, a van driver, while making a right turn at an intersection, struck an elderly person in a wheelchair crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing. The elderly person died on the way to the hospital. The Prosecution relied on expert evidence from a reconstruction to say that the Defendant could have seen the deceased more than 5 seconds before moment of impact had he paid proper attention to the traffic ahead. The Defendant was charged with dangerous driving causing death. Amanda represented him at trial in the District Court and successfully defended the Defendant against the charge of dangerous driving. Defendant was found not guilty of dangerous driving causing death.

 

5. HKSAR v Cheung Nok Hang (張諾恒) (D1) & Another [2025] HKDC 2155

Amanda appeared for the 1st Defendant, who was charged with possession of arms, namely a 0.38 revolver, without a licence. Through cross-examination, the defence successfully undermined the credibility and reliability of the police officers who had conducted the raids at various locations linked to the 1st Defendant. The revolver was found and seized during one of these raids. The defence also elicited favourable evidence from an independent prosecution witness from the box, which ultimately formed the basis for the District Court’s acquittal.

 

6. HKSAR v. Koon Wing Yee (官永義), Sham Man Keung (沈文強) and others (HCCC No. 66/2010)

Businessman Mr. Koon Wing Yee and his co-defendants were charged with blackmailing Hui Chi Ming over a money dispute involving the shares of a locally listed company as well as possession of firearms. Amanda, led by Mr. Wong S.C., defended one of the co-defendants Mr. Sham Man Keung before a jury at the Court of First Instance. The defendants were acquitted of all charges after trial.

 

7. HKSAR v. Wong Cho-shing, Lau Cheuk-nga, Pak Wing-bun and 4 Others (CACC No.38/2017)

Amanda, led by Mr. Wong S.C., is representing Detective Sergeant Pak Wing-bun who was one of the 7 police officers convicted in the District Court for assaulting protestor Tsang Kin Chiu in the Central Occupy Movement in 2014 in an appeal against both conviction and sentence in the Court of Appeal.

 

8. HKSAR v. Yeung Ka Sing Carson (楊家誠) (CACC No. 101/2014)

Businessman and former president of English football club Birmingham City FC Mr. Carson Yeung was convicted of money laundering offences in the District Court. Amanda, led by Mr. Wong S.C. prepared the perfected grounds of appeal for Mr. Yeung in the appeal to the Court of Appeal before the release of the Court of Final Appeal’s decision in Pang Hung Fai and conducted the first bail pending appeal application for Mr. Yeung.

 

9. HKSAR v. Wong Kwan (黃坤), Lew Mun-hung (劉夢熊), Yik Siu Hung (翼小紅) and Another (HCCC No. 561/2013)

Amanda, led by Mr. Wong S.C., defended businesswoman Madam Yik Siu Hung in the complicated and lengthy jury trial at the Court of First Instance who was charged with conspiracy to defraud and money laundering, arising from the purchase of an overseas oilfield by a locally listed company Pearl Oriental Oil Limited. Madam Yik was convicted after trial

 

10. HKSAR v Wong Chun Yin (CACC 50/2018)

The Appellant was convicted of trafficking in 18.45kg of ketamine after trial and was sentenced to 22 years of imprisonment. Amanda conducted the appeal and was granted leave on two grounds. The Court of Appeal accepted her submissions and quashed Mr. Wong’s conviction.

 

11. HKSAR v Shek Hiu Fung & 2 Others (DCCC892/2019; CACC281/2021)

Amanda successfully defended Madam Shek who was charged with conspiracy to defraud the Chinese University and was acquitted after trial with costs. The DOJ case stated the case to the Court of Appeal and appeal against the costs order and Amanda will be having conduct of the matter at the Court of Appeal level.

 

12. HKSAR v. Wong Ying Ho Kennedy (黃英豪), Chui Chuen Shun (徐傳順) and another (HCCC No. 409/2015)

Amanda, led by Mr. Wong S.C., acted for Dr. Kennedy Wong Ying Ho (former chairman of a listed company and member of the Political Consultative Conference of the PRC) who is charged with bribery offences. The jury trial at the Court of First Instance originally scheduled to commence in February 2017, but upon the application by the Department of Justice, the Court ordered that the matter be transferred to the District Court for trial. Amanda is not involved in the District Court trial.

 

13. Application for a summons of private prosecution against Madam Chan Sock Fun (陳淑芬) (ESMP 9236/2016)

Amanda, led by Mr. Wong S.C., represented Madam Chan Sock Fun, former organizer of Jacky Cheung’s concerts, in resisting an application for a summons of private prosecution against her for conspiracy to defraud in respect of the matters arising out of Jacky Cheung’s ½ century world tour concerts. The application was dismissed by the Magistrate for lack of merits.

 

14. HKSAR v. Ip Man Man (葉民文) (DCCC No.801/2002)

Amanda, led by Mr. Wong S.C., defended Mr. Ip Man Man, former chairman of a locally listed company in a District Court trial, who was charged with embezzlement of funds belonging to the listed company of which he was the chairman and the majority shareholder. The Defendant was acquitted after trial.

 

15. Secretary for Justice v. Cheung Chung Chit (CACV No.206/2003 on appeal from HCAL No. 172/2002; [2003] 3 HKLRD 447); HKSAR v. Cheung Chung Chit (DCCC No.521/2002)

Amanda, led by a Senior Counsel, successfully applied for a permanent stay of criminal proceedings for businessman Mr. Cheung Chung Chit in a District Court trial who was charged with having in possession of counterfeit banknotes. Amanda, led by two Senior Counsel, also appeared in the High Court in an application for judicial review made by the Secretary for Justice against the decision of the trial judge in granting a permanent stay and also in an appeal against the High Court decision. The Court of Appeal reaffirmed the High Court decision in, inter alia, quashing the decision granting a permanent stay on grounds that the application was made on a premature basis.

 

Civil cases:

Xu Shengheng and Ever Sincere Investment Ltd v. Cheung Kwan and Cheung Kwan and Financial International Holdings Ltd v. Xu Shengheng & Others (HCA No. 291 of 2009; CACV No. 133 of 2012)

 

New World Development Co Ltd v. Sun Hung Kai Securities Ltd (2006) 9 HKCFAR 403

 

The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Ltd v. New World Development Co. Ltd & Others (2006) 9 HKCFAR 234

 

Modern Office Technology Limited v. New World TMT Limited (CACV No. 292 & 293/2006

Commercial Crimes

General Crimes

General Civil and Chancery Practice

2008	LLB (Hons) University of Bristol, UK (first class of honour in Intellectual Property)
2009	PCLL, University of Hong Kong
2010	Middle Temple Advocacy Training Scholarship

2018	Deputy Magistrate (Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts) Deputy Magistrate – Eastern Magistrates’ Courts
2019	Deputy Magistrate (Eastern Magistrates’ Courts) Deputy Adjudicator – Small Claims Tribunal
2020	Deputy Magistrate – West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts
2023	Deputy Magistrate – Eastern Magistrates’ Courts
2024	Deputy Magistrate – Eastern Magistrates’ Courts

Leona is called to the Hong Kong Bar in 2010 and has since been developing a broad spectrum of practice in criminal and civil matters, with focus on the former.

Having extensive experience in handling all areas of criminal cases both at trial and appellate levels, Leona is frequently briefed for cases of sexual offences, ICAC and CCB investigated crimes, money laundering, fraud and forgery. She also represents clients in disciplinary hearings by medical council and other regulatory tribunals.

Leona is regularly instructed by Department of Justice to prosecute in District Courts and selected cases in Magistrates’ courts as special fiat.

Since 2018, Leona has been appointed as deputy magistrate on a number of occasions.

Leona accepts instructions to represent clients under SFC investigation to answer written enquiries and attend investigation interview. She has been appointed as independent investigation committee in appraising possible misconduct and providing advice for companies pending to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

In recent years, Leona handles civil cases involving complex factual matrix and criminal elements whereas her emphasis on analysing evidence and cross examination of witnesses is highly appreciated by the clients.

Commercial Crimes

Death Inquests

Disciplinary Hearings

Family Law

General Civil and Chancery Practice

General Crimes

Mediation and ADR

Personal Injuries and Employees’ Compensation

Public Order Offences

LL.B. (Hons.)	University of Hong Kong	1999
P.C.LL.	University of Hong Kong	2000

Olivia has joined the private practice since 2013, with a special focus on criminal defence, having previously spent 10 years in the Prosecutions Division of the Department of Justice. In 2016, Olivia sat as a deputy magistrate. Olivia has also been engaged over the years in death inquest and different disciplinary proceedings either as legal adviser or advocate.

By serving in different positions over a period of more than 15 years, Olivia has developed an expertise in the criminal law system from a multi-dimensional angle.

Her experience spans a wide range of cases, having conducted criminal trials and appeals at all levels of court, from the Magistracy to the Court of Final Appeal. These cases covered matters including corruption, complex commercial crime, computer crime, sexual offences, violent crime, dangerous drugs, immigration offences and customs offences. She also has extensive experience in quasi-criminal matters involving industrial and construction safety, public health, environmental law, and traffic offences.

Appointment and services

Government Counsel	2002 – 2008
Assistant to Director of Public Prosecutions	2008 – 2010
Senior Public Prosecutor (Deputy Section Head of ICAC (Public Sector) Unit)	2010 – 2012
Deputy Magistrate	2016

Publications

Contributing Editor, Archbold Hong Kong (Safety and Construction)
Author, Butterworths Hong Kong Anti-Money Laundering Handbook

Commercial Crimes

Death Inquests

Disciplinary Hearings

General Crimes

Juris Doctor	CUHK
P.C.LL.	CUHK

Ruby joined our Chambers after completing her pupillage with Mr Derek Chan S.C., Ms Olivia Tsang, Mr Victor Gidwani, Mr Kenny Lin and Mr Lincoln Cheung.

She is developing a broad criminal and civil practice with a keen interest in fraud, money laundering and commercial cases. She is instructed in all areas of Chambers’ work.

In her criminal practice, she has undertaken various defence works, including issuing plea bargain letters, conducting trials, pleading mitigation and handling appeals. She regularly handles money laundering, forgery, SFO offences, sexual offences, traffic offences and various summon cases. She is regularly instructed to attend legal visits/ interviews at the police stations, the SFC and the Immigration Department.

In her civil practice, she has handled cases involving general contracts, bankruptcy and insolvency, guarantee, motor vehicle insurance, tort, adverse possession, probate, Death Inquests, matrimonial disputes, personal injuries and construction contract disputes. She is also regularly instructed to attend winding-up petition hearings, advise on personal injuries cases and make interlocutory applications.

Ruby has appeared before the Magistrates’ Courts, District Court and Court of the First Instance in her own right and as junior counsel.

The Asian Patent Attorneys Association (Hong Kong Group) Prizes for Intellectual Property Law	2019/20

1. 香港特別行政區 訴 黃証鴻 DCCC 188/2022 (Represented D convicted of multiple
sexual offences in a Newton hearing) (led by David Leung SC)

2. 香港特別行政區 訴 梁偉堂 HCMA249/2023 (Successful appeal against D’s conviction
for using a false instrument) (led by David Leung SC)

3. KCS3297/2023 (Represented D in a trial concerning careless driving) (as sole advocate)

4. KCS7752/2023 (Represented Ds in a trial concerning fire regulations offences) (as
sole advocate)

Ruby is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.

General Crimes

Commercial Crimes

General Civil and Chancery Practice

Insolvency

Family Law

Probate

Personal Injuries and Employees’ Compensation

Death Inquests