Steven Kwan

Call

1992 (Hong Kong)

Areas of Practice

Companies
Conflicts of Law
Contract
Criminal Law
Equity & Trusts
Injunction & Contempt
Property & Land
Public Law & Judicial Review
Regulatory & Disciplinary

Contact

Secretary: Ms. Winnie Fung
[email protected]

Steven is a battle-hardened advocate in both civil and criminal matters.

Steven has an artisanal practice. His work for each client is handcrafted with care and precision, based on more than 30 years of experience in the trenches.

His civil practice covers public law, general civil procedure, company law, conflict of laws, contract law, evidence, guaranty and indemnity, land, legal profession, limitation of actions, mutual legal assistance and trust.

On the criminal side, Steven defended a major property developer charged with conspiring with the Chief Secretary for the latter to misconduct himself in public office. The developer represented by Steven was the only defendant fully acquitted by the jury after a trial lasting for more than 120 days.

Steven also represented one of the 47 defendants (known as the “Hong Kong 47”) charged with conspiracy to commit subversion in connection with the 2020 Hong Kong pro-democracy primaries. Steven’s lay client was acquitted unanimously by a panel of designated judges after a trial lasting for 118 days.

Steven has been a member of Bernacchi Chambers since 1993.

Administrative law

Ma Chun Man v Commissioner of Correctional Services [2025] 3 HKLRD 832 (decision refusing to refer case of national security offence convict for consideration for early release)

Ma Chun Man v Commissioner of Correctional Services [2025] 1 HKLRD 305 (decision refusing to refer case of national security offence convict for consideration of early release)

Lai Chee Ying v Secretary for Justice [2023] 3 HKLRD 275 (judicial review)

Lai Chee Ying v Commissioner of Police [2022] 5 HKLRD 205 (search warrants)

Lai Chee Ying v Commissioner of Police [2022] 4 HKLRD 582 (search warrants)

Chan Mei Yu Paddy v Secretary for Justice (No 3) [2008] 2 HKLRD 154 (judicial review)

 

Civil Procedure

Secretary for Justice v Persons Conducting in Acts Prohibited Etc (855/2023) [2024] 3 HKLRD 905 (joinder of parties)

Secretary for Justice v Persons Conducting in Acts Prohibited Etc (855/2023) [2023] 5 HKLRD 675 (joinder of parties)

Cheung Yuk Ying Engracia v MacGregor Isabella [2023] 3 HKLRD 164 (appeal against findings of fact)

Global Bridge Assets Ltd v Sun Hung Kai Financial Ltd (No 2) [2016] 1 HKLRD 1113 (preliminary issues)

Global Bridge Assets Ltd v Sun Hung Kai Financial Ltd [2015] 5 HKLRD 453 (striking-out)

SBC CPA Ltd v Au Ka Man Silkie [2015] 4 HKLRD 842 (injunctions)

Pacific Electric Wire & Cable Co Ltd v Texan Management Ltd (2014) 17 HKCFAR 710 (appeal as of right)

Global Bridge Assets Ltd v Sun Hung Kai Securities Ltd [2011] 4 HKC 9 (amendment of pleadings)

Pacific Electric Wire & Cable Co Ltd v Hu Hung Chiu [2011] 1 HKLRD 1000 (extensions of writ)

Noble Power Investments Ltd v Nissei Stomach Tokyo Co Ltd [2008] 1 HKLRD 134 (service out of jurisdiction)

Chan Mei Yiu Paddy v Secretary for Justice (No 2) [2008] 2 HKLRD 137 (application of Rules of the High Court to criminal proceedings)

Global Bridge Assets Ltd v Sun Hung Kai Financial Ltd [2012] 4 HKLRD 474 (pleadings)

Pacific Electric Wire & Cable Co Ltd v Harmutty Ltd [2009] 3 HKLRD 94 (summary judgment)

Chan Mei Yiu Paddy v Secretary for Justice [2008] 5 HKLRD 507 (application of Rules of the Hong Kong to criminal proceedings)

Pacific Electric Wire & Cable Co Ltd v Texan Management Ltd [2007] 4 HKC 372 (service out of jurisdiction)

Pacific Electric Wire & Cable Co Ltd v Texan Management Ltd [2007] 1 HKC 301 (application for discharge of concurrent writ)

Shanghai Land Holdings Ltd (in Receivership) v Chau Ching Ngai [2005] 3 HKC 302 (joinder of parties)

Allied Group Ltd v Secretary for Justice [2003] 4 HKC 359 (discovery)

 

Company law

Re Freeman FinTech Corp Ltd [2018] 1 HKLRD 320 (directors)

 

Conflict of laws

Noble Power Investments Ltd v Nissei Stomach Tokyo Co Ltd [2008] 5 HKLRD 631 (jurisdiction)

 

Constitutional law

Qarase v Bainimarama [2009] 3 LRC 614 (prerogative powers)

 

Contempt of court

Secretary for Justice v Chan Kin Chung [2021] 1 HKLRD 563 (breach of injunction restraining “doxxing” against police and their family members)

 

Contract law

Marble Holdings Ltd v Yatin Development Ltd (2008) 11 HKCFAR 222 (interpretation)

Fortune Global Development Ltd v Shung Cheong Food Trading Ltd [2002] 2 HKLRD 447 (misrepresentation)

 

Criminal law and procedure

香港特別行政區 訴 徐凱駿 [2026] 4 HKLRD 252 (sedition)

香港特別行政區 訴 郭賢生 [2026] 4 HKC 215 (attempt to deal with directly or indirectly funds or other financial assets or economic resources of absconder)

HKSAR v Chan Ching Hei [2026] 3 HKLRD 858 (costs in murder trial)

HKSAR v Woo Wing See Phyllis [2026] 4 HKC 894 (taking unauthorized article out of prison)

HKSAR v Chan Tsz Wah [2026] 2 HKC 1179 (conspiracy to collusion)

HKSAR v Lai Chee Ying [2026] 2 HKC 907 (conspiracy to collusion)

HKSAR v Yeung Suet-ying Clarisse [2026] 3 HKLRD 300 (conspiracy to subvert state powers)

香港特別行政區 訴 劉智峰 [2025] 1 HKLRD 196 (riot)

HKSAR v Ng Gordon Ching-hang [2025] 1 HKC 229 (conspiracy to subvert state powers)

香港特別行政區 訴 蕭志成 [2024] 2 HKLRD 490 (possessing instrument fit for unlawful purpose)

HKSAR v Lai Chee Ying (Application for Permanent Stay) [2023] 3 HKLRD 534 (offences in relation to national security)

HKSAR v Chan Chun Kit (2022) 25 HKCFAR 191 (possessing instrument fit for unlawful purpose)

香港特別行政區 訴 陳俊傑 [2022] 3 HKLRD 554 (possessing instrument fit for unlawful purpose)

香港特別行政區 訴 岑嘉林 [2021] 5 HKLRD 330 (judicial notice)

香港特別行政區 訴 陳以晉 [2021] 4 HKLRD 612 (resisting police officer in due execution of duty)

HKSAR v Siu Wai Cheong [2021] 3 HKLRD 29 (murder)

HKSAR v Tai Yiu Ting [2021] 2 HKLRD 899 (conspiracy to commit public nuisance)

HKSAR v Hui Rafael Junior (chronologies and flowcharts to jury) [2017] 2 HKLRD 1 (documentary evidence)

HKSAR v Hui Rafael (re: press access to documents) [2014] 5 HKLRD 15 (access to court documents)

Chan Mei Yiu Paddy v Secretary for Justice (No 2) [2012] 3 HKLRD 65 (mutual legal assistance)

P v Commissioner of Independent Commission Against Corruption (2007) 10 HKCFAR 293 (corruption and bribery offences)

香港特別行政區 訴 羅水基 [2007] HKLRD 114 (assisting passage of unauthorized entrant within Hong Kong)

 

Criminal sentencing

HKSAR v Cheung King Sang Kinson [2024] 5 HKLRD 501 (incitement to wound with intent)

HKSAR v Wong Chi Fung [2022] 1 HKLRD 1305 (unauthorised assembly)

 

Evidence

Chan Mei Yiu Paddy v Secretary for Justice (No 2) [2008] 3 HKC 182 (letters of request)

 

Guarantee and indemnity

Global Bridge Assets Ltd v Sun Hung Kai Securities Ltd [2009] 3 HKC 445 (oral guarantee)

 

Land

Wong Luen Chun v Secretary for Justice [1998] 4 HKC 122 (adverse possession)

 

Legal profession

Secretary for Justice v Timothy Wynn Owen KC (2022) 25 HKCFAR 288 (admission of overseas counsel under s 27(4) for particular case)

Re Owen KC [2022] 5 HKLRD 726 (admission of overseas counsel under s 27(4) for particular cases)

Wong Kwai Sang v Bar Council [2021] 1 HKLRD 455 (disciplinary proceedings)

Re Perry QC [2013] 1 HKLRD 145 (admission of overseas counsel under s 27(4) for a particular case)

 

Trusts

Hotung v Ho Yuen Ki [2005] 4 HKLRD 558 (revocation)

 

Wills, probate and succession

Re Estate of Chiu Keung [2020] 3 HKLRD 779 (administration of estate)