TOPIC

Law

Law
Latest news, analysis and opinion on the law and legal issues, including Hong Kong extradition law. Follow the latest on trials, court cases and justice.
South Korea’s then impeached president Yoon Suk-Yeol attends a hearing at the Constitutional Court in Seoul in February. Photo: AP
South Korea

Yoon faces 10-year jail term in South Korea over first of 4 failed coup trials

During a hearing, Yoon appears tense and laughs in disbelief as special prosecutors present the charges in his first trial.

Malaysia

With 1MDB verdict due, will Malaysia’s Najib have to ‘prepare for the worst’?

The Philippines

Philippine court upholds murder verdict in Duterte’s drug war case

videocam
Hong Kong courts

Legal Tales | Free for all or fees for all? Hong Kong’s legal aid levels the scales

From pro bono work to legal aid, the city’s lawyers help ensure access to the courts is not reserved only for those with deep pockets.

Photos of the Goddess sculpture at the Court of Final Appeal in Central. 31MAY17 SCMP / Sam Tsang
Hong Kong society

Opinion | Hong Kong’s new legislators must strengthen child protection laws

The city’s children need better legal protection from cruelty, sexual grooming and internet advances.

Malaysia

Najib’s children lament Malaysian court ruling – ‘we thought he was coming home’

The ex-prime minister has lost his case to have his imprisonment commuted to house arrest based on a supposed royal decree.

7
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
South Korea

Yoon’s ex-aides express ‘disbelief’ over South Korean martial law plan

The two aides’ testimonies give a rare insight into the thinking of the former president, who is charged with leading the ‘insurrection’.

videocam
Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul, after then South Korea president Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on December 3, 2024. Photo: AFP
United States

‘Untrue’: US releases thousands of new Epstein-linked documents

The Justice Department, which has posted around 30,000 more pages, said some ⁠contained ‘untrue and sensationalist’ claims against President Trump.

Malaysia

Malaysian rapper Namewee acquitted of drug use charge after negative test

The 42-year-old still faces a drug possession charge and remains under investigation following the death of a Taiwanese influencer.

videocam
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong lawyers give free aid to Tai Po residents at loss over next legal steps

As residents of Wang Fuk Court rebuild their lives, hundreds of lawyers have stepped in to help them understand their legal options.

The blackened buildings of Wang Fuk Court. An independent review committee has been tasked with investigating the blaze. Photo: Elson Li
Malaysia

‘Was he the Hulk?’: Malaysian officer goes viral after ripping off car door

The officer became an unlikely internet sensation when a dashcam video showed him ripping apart a suspect’s car door ‘like a banana leaf’.

A Malaysian police officer is seen wrenching a suspect’s car door open with his bare hands in a dashcam video that has gone viral. Photo: TikTok/Mazmar93
South Korea

South Korea’s top court seeks to restore trust after martial law controversy

The changes target high-stakes national security cases amid mounting criticism over delays and alleged bias.

videocam
South Korea martial law 2024

South Korea’s police chief removed for supporting martial law plot

Cho Ji-ho was removed for sending officers to disrupt parliament and undermine the election commission’s independence, the Constitutional Court ruled.

videocam
Hong Kong courts

Legal Tales | Despite lapses behind Tai Po fire, Hong Kong’s unity shows in a time of crisis

Catastrophic fires in other places offer lessons in the administration of justice, but Hongkongers’ care and resilience will carry them through.

The buildings of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Last month’s catastrophic fire at the housing estate killed at least 160 people and displaced nearly 5,000. Photo: Sam Tsang
Australia

Why Southeast Asia’s move to protect children online may fuel state surveillance

Measures to rein in tech companies risk opening the door to tighter state oversight of online platforms, analysts say.

videocam
Australia banned social media for children under 16 earlier this month. Photo: dpa
Accidents and disasters in China

How will Jimmy Lai’s conviction affect China-UK ties, Starmer’s planned visit?

Outcome of ex-media tycoon’s Hong Kong trial poses stern test for Labour government’s balancing act with Beijing, observers say.

videocam
33
Jimmy Lai trial

Open court, detailed ruling in Lai trial ‘prove Hong Kong rule of law strong’

Lawyers urge members of public to study the court’s judgment before drawing conclusions after Western countries hit out at Lai verdict.

videocam
16
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Jimmy Lai trial

Hong Kong court’s verdict in Jimmy Lai trial sheds light on law, experts say

Judges stress that Lai’s actions before enactment of national security law were not the subject of any charges, serving only as background.

videocam
7
Jimmy Lai, 78, was found guilty on all three charges he faced under the Beijing-imposed national security law. Photo: Winson Wong
Jimmy Lai trial

Jimmy Lai’s conviction in Hong Kong becomes flashpoint between China, West

Western nations unlikely to hit city with more sanctions as they need Beijing’s cooperation to offset unfair US trade practices, experts say.

24
Jimmy Lai trial

Jimmy Lai’s ‘rabid hatred’ of party led him down ‘thorny path’: Hong Kong court

Judges find former media boss guilty of national security offences, dismissing his ‘inconsistent, contradictory and unreliable’ testimony.

videocam
7
Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai used personal ties to seek foreign sanctions: court ruling

Former media boss tapped into vast political network for intervention against Beijing and Hong Kong, according to 857-page judgment.

videocam
21
Jimmy Lai holds talks with then US vice-president Mike Pence in the White House in 2019. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong barrister granted temporary anonymity in molestation case

Court approves 32-year-old defendant’s request to hide his name to protect alleged victim’s identity.

The Eastern Court building in Sai Wan Ho. Photo: SCMP
Japan

Security or freedom? Japan’s proposed anti-spy laws raise human rights concerns

Prime Minister Takaichi’s plans to tighten spying and secrecy rules could be used to stifle free speech and media freedom, analysts say.

videocam
Singapore

Singapore’s Pritam Singh apologises, Mediacorp pulls show over contempt claims

The episode of ‘The Assembly’ was aired while the court was deciding on the opposition leader’s appeal against a false testimony conviction.

The Philippines

Brutal dog killing in Philippines sparks outrage, calls for tougher protections

Viral footage of Axle the dog’s shocking death has galvanised the country’s animal activists to demand harsh legal repercussions.

videocam
A photo of Axle circulating on social media (left) and a screenshot from the viral video showing the moments before the dog was fatally beaten in Sadanga, Mountain Province. Photos: Handout
Indonesia

Airbnb ban in Bali? Indonesia says no, but crackdown on illegal stays looms

Bali’s governor wants to ban the online platform but the island’s problems with illegal rentals go beyond Airbnb, critics say.

videocam
An aerial view of Denpasar shows the many hotels and lodgings in the area. Photo: Shutterstock
The Philippines

Philippines denies ex-mayor Alice Guo has received special treatment in prison

Officials refuted reports that Guo, who recently began serving a life sentence, possessed a phone and had received unauthorised visitors.

videocam
Hong Kong

Legal Tales | Balancing rights and responsibilities: child custody in Hong Kong demystified

The true meaning of legal concepts such as custody and access is much misunderstood among laypeople in Hong Kong.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement