Barrister-at-Law
Phone: (+852) 2532-6100 | Fax: (+852) 2550-1120
Email: peggypao@pegasuschambers.com
Called to the Bar: Hong Kong (2019)
Education:
• PCLL, The University of Hong Kong
• LLB (Hons), University of Bristol, UK
• GCE A Level, Uppingham School, UK
• GCSE & IGCSE, Casterton School, UK
• Diocesan Girls’ School
Practice Area(s):
Criminal Litigation, Administrative & Public law, Anti-Discrimination, Contract, Defamation, Employment, Family & Matrimonial, Intellectual Property, Personal Injuries, Probate, Regulatory & Disciplinary
APPOINTMENTS:
2021 – present Secretary, Standing Committee on Young Barristers (YBC), Hong Kong Bar Association
2021 – present Member, Standing Committee on Mental Health and Well-being, Hong Kong Bar Association
About Peggy
Peggy has a predominantly criminal practice. As a led junior, she has appeared in the Court of Final Appeal, Court of Appeal, Court of First Instance and District Court. She is regularly instructed in her own right, privately or by the Duty Lawyer Service, to conduct trials and handle short matters in the Magistrates’ Courts including Juvenile Courts. She has experience across a wide spectrum of offences of varying severity, such as bribery/corruption, drugs, gambling, homicide, immigration, public order, sexual, theft/robbery, traffic, violent crime and departmental summons. She also handles matrimonial and disciplinary proceedings, as well as other civil matters. She accepts instructions for both court and advisory work.
Peggy speaks native English, Cantonese and Mandarin. She can read and write in English and Chinese (traditional and simplified) and is proficient in legal translation. She can also speak conversational Korean and French (CEFR B2).
LANGUAGES
English, Chinese, Korean, French (CEFR B2)
Selected Cases
Criminal Appeal & Trial
FAMC 62/2019 – appeared on behalf of the respondent in a leave application made by the prosecution to appeal against the judge’s decision to refuse a retrial after the respondent’s conviction was quashed in a magistracy appeal. Application dismissed. (Led by Mr John Reading SC, Reasons reported in (2020) 23 HKCFAR 220)
CACC 109/2020 – prepared perfected grounds of appeal and written submissions on behalf of the applicant in a leave application to appeal against his sentence and disqualification order. (With Mr David Boyton, engaged by the Bar Free Legal Service Scheme. Engagement concluded prior to leave hearing but PGA and submissions considered by the Court)
HCCC 349/2019 – appeared as understudy to Mr David Boyton, on fiat, to prosecute the accused charged with trafficking in a dangerous drug in a 7-day jury trial. Accused convicted.
HCMA 114/2020 – appeared on behalf of the appellant to challenge the fine imposed and order made for the appellant to retake his driving test for a speeding summons. Appeal allowed on both grounds. (With Mr David Boyton)
DCCC 652/2020 & 79/2021 – appeared on behalf of the 1st defendant in a 30-day Chinese trial involving the offences of fraud and corruption. (With Mr David Boyton)
Family & Wardship
CACV 84/2021 – representing the mother (respondent in the appeal) in an interlocutory application for a Hadkinson Order. (With Mr Giles Surman, on the instructions of the Director of Legal Aid)
HCMP 929/2017 – appeared on behalf of the mother (defendant) in a 11-day trial concerning the custody, care and control of a ward of the High Court. Mother was awarded sole custody and care and control. (With Ms Belinda Ma, on the instructions of the Director of Legal Aid)
Judicial Review
HCAL 1853/2019 – appeared on behalf of the applicant for leave to judicially review the putative respondent’s refusal to grant legal aid on the grounds of their respective failure to give reasons. Application dismissed. (Led by Dr Gerard McCoy SC [written submissions] and Mr Albert Wong)
