Esmond Wong

Call

2019 (Hong Kong)

Areas of Practice

Arbitration
Commercial & Banking Law
Civil Fraud & Asset recovery
Companies
Criminal Law
Defamation
Employment
Equity & Trusts
Family & Matrimonial Law
Injunction & Contempt
Insolvency
Mental Health
Probate & Succession
Property & Land
Public Law & Judicial Review
Unjust Enrichment

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Secretary: Ms. Karen Leung
[email protected]

Esmond focuses on civil and commercial litigation, with particular experience in banking and financial disputes, contract claims, arbitration, company disputes, corporate and personal insolvency. He frequently appears in and advises on a broad spectrum of multi-jurisdictional disputes and cross-border liquidation matters. He is recognised by The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific (2026) as a “Rising Star” in Commercial Disputes.

His substantial practice in asset recovery and injunctive application encompasses breach of fiduciary duty, restitution and civil fraud. Esmond has also been instructed in a wide range of matrimonial proceedings, and cases covering trusts and probate, personal injuries and building management.

Esmond has acted for state-owned enterprises, local and foreign licensed banks, statutory bodies, property developers, companies listed in Hong Kong and abroad, liquidators, licensed moneylenders, SFC-licensed entities, high net worth individuals and celebrities.

Esmond also maintains his criminal practice for the defence at both trial and appellate levels, which spans white-collar crimes involving commercial fraud, money laundering, bribery and public misconduct, market manipulation and securities-related prosecution, immigration offences and other general crimes. Esmond is also recognised by The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific (2025) and (2026) as a “Rising Star” in the area of Regulatory, Investigations & Crime.

  • LL.M., The London School of Economics and Political Science (Distinction in Corporate Crime)
  • P.C.LL., City University of Hong Kong
  • LL.B., City University of Hong Kong (Dean’s List)
  • Queen’s College, Hong Kong
  • Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (ACIArb) (2019)

Civil Fraud & Asset Recovery

  • Leader Screws Manufacturing Company Limited v Huang Shunkui [2025] 2 HKLRD 485; [2025] HKCA 276 – acted for the appellant in her successful appeal against judgment of embezzlement claim by an employer company against its employee and decision of refusing to grant leave to file her defence out of time (with Mr. Jason Wong)
  • Lesnina H. D.O.O. v. Wave Shipping Trade Co Ltd and Others [2022] 2 HKLRD 727; [2022] HKCFI 1070 – acted for a defendant successfully resisting summary determination of restitutionary claim by foreign illegality of the alleged circumvention of foreign currency exchange controls under PRC laws (sole advocate)
  • The Incorporated Management Committee of Leung Shek Chee College v Chiang Yi Hing (HCA 1046/2023) – acted for an employer plaintiff in its successful restitutionary and proprietary claims against a former employee for embezzlement and deception (sole advocate)
  • Elevate Hong Kong Holdings Limited v Jaja Limited & Others (HCA 2192/2020) – acted for the plaintiff in multiple injunction applications and tracing claims against the first to third-tier recipients (sole advocate)
  • Yip Wai Hung v Shanghai Business Information Limited [2023] HKDC 401 – acted for a fraud victim at trial in successful restitutionary claim against an alleged receiving agent of a licensed money service operator relying on defences of ministerial receipt and change of position (sole advocate)
  • Chau Lai Bing v Li Rongqiang & Others [2022] HKDC 1389 – acted for the alleged second-level recipient defendant relying on defences of bona fide change of position and bona fide purchaser in cryptocurrency transactions without notice (sole advocate)
  • Kwong Wai Wah v Deng Dehao & Others (DCCJ 3710/2022, DCCJ 2676/2022) – acted for a successful restitutionary and proprietary claimant and intervention of garnishee proceedings of a competing judgment creditor over the beneficial ownership of balance of a mixed account held by a constructive trustee (sole advocate)
  • Appeared in numerous injunction applications involving civil fraud/asset recovery.

Commercial, Securities & Banking

  • SFC v Lui Man Wah & Others [2026] HKCFI 2140; [2026] HKCFI 3041 – acted for defendants in resisting SFC’s application for interim injunction for the alleged participation in the ramp-and-dump scheme in shares of a listed company (sole advocate)
  • Secretary for Justice v Tam Siu Hang [2024] HKCFI 2839 – acted for a judgment creditor in its application to vary a restraint order obtained by Secretary for Justice to enforce judgment debts against restrained assets of a judgment debtor cum defendant in the prosecution of an alleged pump-and-dump scheme (sole advocate)
  • CS Credit Limited v Tsui Chi Kin (HCMP 506/2023) – enforceability of the loan agreement and mortgage allegedly in contravention of sections 22 and 27 of the Money Lenders Ordinance, Cap. 163 (sole advocate)
  • Dah Sing Bank, Limited v Chan Kai Yin Alan (DCCJ 689/2021) – acted for the licensed bank in its successful claim for loan recovery against the principal debtor and resistance of defence of the alleged debts restructuring (sole advocate)
  • Dah Sing Bank, Limited v HMS Limited & Other (DCCJ 453/2020) – acted for the licensed bank in its successful claim for loan recovery against the principal debtor and guarantor (sole advocate)
  • Dah Sing Bank, Limited v One Concept Group Limited & Others (DCCJ 6254/2019) – acted for the licensed bank in its successful claim for loan recovery against the principal debtor and guarantors, and resistance of defence of the alleged misrepresentation (sole advocate)
  • Issued expert opinion on Hong Kong laws on the validity of contracts between a securities firm and its clients and agency authority in the PRC appeal proceedings
  • Issued written foreign legal opinion on Hong Kong laws on the legality of securities account liquidation and interest computation in a PRC civil case
  • Advised a PRC national commercial bank listed on Shanghai Stock Exchange and Main Board of the HKEx on its priority under the mortgage of a wound-up property developer group for a HK$760 million syndicated loan
  • Advised a Hong Kong branch of a listed PRC bank on protection of deposits held in the margin account by the Deposit Protection Scheme Ordinance, Cap. 581 and Deposit Protection Scheme (Representation on Scheme Membership and Protection on Financial Products under Scheme) Rules, Cap. 581A
  • Acting for assignees to claim over USD 198 million pursuant to facility agreements
  • Advised a state-owned financial service provider on actions concerning breach of terms of debenture secured upon securities valued at USD 75 million
  • Advised on the wrongful freezing of accounts by a local licensed bank

Company & Insolvency

  • Joint & Several Liquidators of Hsin Chong Construction (Asia) Limited (in liquidation) v Keio Engineering Company Limited (CACV 191/2025) – acting for the appellant in its appeal against the decision of voiding payments received as a subcontractor directly from the employer for construction of Ocean Park Mariott Hotel after the commencement of winding-up of main contractor (with Mr. Jason Wong & Ms. Myranda Lai)
  • Re Sit Wai [2026] HKCFI 1941 – acted for the petitioner in her successful petition for bankruptcy against a judgment debtor under a Mainland Judgment registered in Hong Kong (sole advocate)
  • Re PepsiCo International Hong Kong Limited (HCMP 2144/2021) – acted for the applicant in its successful application under section 42 of the Companies Ordinance, Cap.622 (sole advocate)
  • Re POEM Concept Limited (HCMP 408/2020) – acted for the applicant in its successful application under section 765 of the Companies Ordinance, Cap.622 (sole advocate)
  • Re Megalink Resource (Hong Kong) Holding Corporation Limited (HCMP 68/2023) – acted for the directors in their inspection application pursuant to sections 373-378 of the Companies Ordinance (sole advocate)
  • Acted for foreign joint liquidators of a company listed on the Main Board of the HKEx and wound up in Bermuda on application for the recognition order in Hong Kong
  • Advised liquidators of a local company on resisting claims of its director cum shareholder
  • Advised a SFC-licensed company on cross-border investment project concerning Electronic Transactions Ordinance, Cap. 553
  • Advised on the share acquisition of a limited company
  • Advising on and acting for petitioners and debtors in relation to various winding-up and bankruptcy proceedings

Property & Building

  • SQW v LPC [2025] 2 HKLRD 649; [2025] HKFC 56 – principles to decide the forum to proceed with enforcement actions of judgment creditors with charging order over a property owned by the judgment debtor cum party to ongoing divorce proceedings (sole advocate)
  • Mak Hin Kwan v Wiki Capital Finance Limited & Anor [2025] HKCFI 2140 – acted for a defendant in resisting the beneficial claim over the lot land
  • Happy Mortgage Services Limited v Ho Yin Sang & Anor (HCMP 1736/2017) – valuation on the partition of the land lot in New Territories (sole advocate)
  • So Ho Yee v Hui Mamie [2023] HKDC 1847 – acted for the plaintiff at trial in successful claims of beneficial ownership of a landed property and monies held on Quistclose trust
  • 羅小玲及另二人 鄭慧玲及另一人 [2022] HKLdT 34 – acted for applicants at trial in their successful applications to set aside owners’ resolutions passed in the general meeting of unlawfully convened by the management committee of incorporated owners of a building (sole advocate)
  • Octagon Development Limited v Sennex Limited (LDPE 758/2023) – acted for a property developer in its claim of outstanding rent and charges and possession of premises (sole advocate)

Civil Procedure

  • Leader Screws Manufacturing Company Limited v Huang Shunkui [2023] HKCA 1193 – acted for the appellant in successfully resisting the application for security for costs of the appeal, denying the claim amount exceeding the defendant’s known assets to be a relevant factor for the proof of impecuniosity (with Mr. Jason Wong)
  • Ng Kam Cheung v Chu Koon Fat David [2023] HKCFI 716 – application to strike out the claim on the limitation (with Mr. Jason Wong)
  • New Art Holdings Co Ltd & Others v Est-Ouest Auctions Co Limited & Others [2025] HKCFI 4979 – acted for applicants in their application for relief from sanction to make payment of security of costs (with Mr. Jason Wong)
  • Jumani & Others v Travel Industry Authority & Others (DCCJ 3531/2023) – acted for Travel Industry Authority in its successful application to strike out a claim on the basis of the alleged breach of duty of care in consideration of licence renewal application (sole advocate)
  • K Cash Express Limited v Ng Ka Tung & Anor (DCCJ 4035/2022) – successful application for an attachment order against the defendant’s share of a landed property pursuant to Order 44A rules 7-9 (sole advocate)

Probate & Family

  • Yau Chi Wai Lawrence & Anor v Chau Kit (HCMP 998/2021) – acted for the plaintiffs at trial in their successful application for removal of the executrix of an estate and proper account (with Mr. Jason Wong)
  • PYK v CCLA [2023] HKFC 11 – acted for the petitioner in resisting the interim maintenance application (sole advocate)
  • LX v CWC, the Administratrix of the Estate of WTFP [2021] HKFC 58 – acted for the respondent in her successful application for security for costs in the financial provision application under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Ordinance, Cap. 481 (sole advocate)
  • TTYE v TWWM (FCMC 11418/2019) – acted for the petitioner in her successful application for a relocation order to permanently remove a family child out from Hong Kong (sole advocate)

Arbitration

  • Lin Chien Hsiung v Lin Hsiu Fen
    • [2022] 4 HKC 590; [2022] HKCFI 1270: application to set aside the enforcement order to enforce an arbitral award issued by the Shanghai Arbitration Commission (sole advocate)
    • [2022] HKCFI 340 – resisting application to file expert evidence on the PRC arbitration law (sole advocate)
  • HKIAC arbitration – claim in respect of the breach of joint venture agreements concerning the establishment of foreign-branded automotive manufacturing base in the amount of over RMB 998 million
  • SIAC arbitration – issued expert opinion on Hong Kong laws on the estate costs rule in a Singapore-seated international arbitration

Criminal

  • HKSAR v Tang & Others
    • (2025) 28 HKCFAR 82; (2025) 28 HKCFAR 29; [2025] HKCFA 3: acted for 2 successful appellants in their appeal against conviction of the offence of failure to comply with notice to provide information to the Commissioner of the Police under Schedule 5 to the Implementation Rules to National Security Law, on the grounds of proper construction of the offence, principles of collateral challenge in non-constitutional grounds and right to fair trial deprived by non-disclosure under prosecution’s public interest immunity claim premised on national security (led by Mr. Robert Pang SC and with Mr. Albert Wong)
    • [2024] HKCFA 22: application to the Court of Final Appeal for leave to appeal (led by Mr. Robert Pang SC)
    • [2024] HKCFI 1366: application to the Court of First Instance for leave to appeal (led by Mr. Philip Dykes SC)
    • [2024] 4 HKC 46; [2024] HKCFI 553: magistracy appeal against conviction and sentence for 3 appellants (led by Mr. Philip Dykes SC and with Mr. Albert Wong)
    • [2023] HKMagC 2: acted for 2nd defendant at trial (sole advocate)
  • Chung & Others v HKSAR (HCMA 425/2025): acting for the appellant in his appeal against conviction of conspiracy for the agent of a leading property developer to accept advantages (with Mr. Steven Kwan)
  • HKSAR v Wong & Others [2025] 1 HKC 480; [2024] HKCFI 3298: sentencing of conspiracy to commit subversion and penalty bandings under article 22(2) of National Security Law (sole advocate)
  • HKSAR v Chiu [2022] HKCFI 2925; HCCC 144/2021 – acquittal of a charge of trafficking in 2.77 kilograms of cocaine (with Mr. Adonis Cheung)
  • HKSAR v Cheung & Others (DCCC 780/2024) – acting for a defendant charged with conspiracy to defraud and violation of section 300 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance for an alleged ramp-and-dump scheme in the shares of a listed company (with Mr. Adonis Cheung)
  • HKSAR v Chan & Another (ESCC 875/2024) – acting for a defendant charged with accessory liability of the alleged misconduct in public office by a Service Director in tender procedures for the Hospital Authority (sole advocate)
  • HKSAR v Chan (WKCC 265/2025) – acquittal of a charge of indecent assault against a boy of 7 years old (sole advocate)
  • HKSAR v Chan (WKCC 207/2022) – acquittal of a charge of theft (sole advocate)
  • HKSAR v Chan (WKCC 2540/2020) – acquittal of a charge of unlawful assembly (sole advocate)
  • HKSAR v Chan (KTCC 663/2020) – acquittal of two charges of obstructing police officer in due execution of duty (sole advocate)
  • HKSAR v Choi (WKCC 1176/2020) – acquittal of a charge of possession of an instrument fit for unlawful purposes (sole advocate)
  • HKSAR v Cheung (ESCC 1190/2020) – acquittal of a charge of possession of articles with intent to destroy/damage property (sole advocate)
  • HKSAR v He (FLCC 5590/2019) – acquittal of a charge of unlawful assembly (sole advocate)
  • HKSAR v Ho (FLCC 2069/2020) – acquittal of a charge of criminal intimidation (sole advocate)
  • HKSAR v Hor (KCCC 277/2025) – acquittal of a charge of possession of dangerous drugs (sole advocate)
  • HKSAR v Liu (KCCC 659/2020) – acquittal of a charge of possession of articles with intent to destroy/damage property (sole advocate)
  • HKSAR v Ma (ESCC 1830/2020) – acquittal of a charge of theft (sole advocate)
  • HKSAR v Ma (ESS 41028/2021) – acquittal of a summons for organising a prohibited group gathering under Cap. 599G
  • HKSAR v Tam (KCCC 1024/2023) – acquittal of two charges of common assault (sole advocate)
  • HKSAR v Tsang (WKCC 897/2020) – acquittal of a charge of possession of articles with intent to destroy/damage property (sole advocate)
  • HKSAR v Xu (FLCC 203/2024) – acquittal of a charge of indecent assault (sole advocate)
  • Acted for numerous applicants for bail and bail pending appeal at the Court of First Instance
  • English
  • Cantonese
  • Mandarin