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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.
Under a 1999 Court of Final Appeal precedent, each accusation must correspond to a distinct identifiable act of rape with sufficient detail to constitute an offence. Photo: Getty Images
Crime in Hong Kong

How a legal loophole is failing Hong Kong survivors of long-term sexual abuse

Victim recalls years of unprosecutable abuse as advocates urge closure of loophole tying prosecutors’ hands and law review to prove patterns over specifics.

Scams and swindles

Editorial | Regional cooperation led to arrest of alleged scam kingpin Chen Zhi

Singapore

Could Singapore remove Pritam Singh as Leader of the Opposition?

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Hong Kong police

Editorial | Interpol meet will enable Hong Kong to bolster global crime-fighting ties

As host of Interpol’s 94th general assembly, the city will be able to show that its ‘superconnector’ role extends to international law enforcement.

Hong Kong Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming at the 93rd Interpol general assembly in Marrakech, Morocco, in late November 2025. Photo: Handout
Indonesia

Is 12 too young? Rare matricide case tests Indonesia’s juvenile justice system

The girl, often threatened with a knife by her mother, was inspired to use one after playing online games and watching anime, police say.

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Hong Kong

Legal Tales | What happens in Hong Kong’s top court, hidden amid the city’s winter wonderland

It may be used as a canvas for Christmas projections, but the building houses independently appointed judges who uphold and develop the city’s laws.

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South Korea

South Korea’s conservatives attempt break from Yoon with martial law apology

Yoon Suk-yeol’s former ruling party has offered a belated mea culpa, but critics see the move as nothing more than a cynical election ploy.

A supporter of South Korea’s ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol attends a rally in Seoul last month marking the first anniversary of his short-lived declaration of martial law. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Malaysian rapper Namewee defies scandals to release Lunar New Year single

Namewee is still helping police in an investigation over the death of a Taiwanese influencer and faces a drug possession charge.

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Indonesia

Indonesian beauty doctor under police probe as row with influencer turns ugly

Police say there is enough preliminary evidence to investigate Richard Lee for possible violations under health and consumer laws.

Indonesia

Indonesia’s criminal law overhaul prompts fears of rights erosion

Observers say the new Criminal Code and revised Criminal Procedure Code entrench provisions that undermine democracy.

People walk along a sidewalk in Jakarta’s main business district. Indonesia’s new Criminal Code and revised Criminal Procedure Code came into force on Friday. Photo: EPA
Hong Kong economy

Opinion | How Hong Kong can complement Hainan’s free-trade port

Jointly designed customs rules could be used in pilot schemes to smooth the customs process for international business.

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People look at phones in the Haikou International Duty Free Shopping Complex in Hainan province, on December 18, the day China launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan free-trade port. Photo: Xinhua
Singapore

Workers’ Party in Singapore orders disciplinary panel for Pritam Singh’s case

The move follows the opposition leader’s recent court conviction for lying to a parliamentary committee.

United States

US court rules California ban on openly carrying guns is unconstitutional

The ruling affects California’s counties with more than 200,000 people, where about 95 per cent of the state’s population lives.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong’s new legal aid chief pledges full support for Tai Po fire victims

Chan Chak-ming also says his department will answer society’s needs with ‘professional, efficient and empathetic’ services.

Hundreds of lawyers have signed up to provide free advice to residents left homeless by the fire. Photo: Sam Tsang
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s sex offence laws are to be overhauled. What needs to be updated?

Consent and gender issues are key areas the government will look at when it starts the review process.

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Hong Kong

Legal Tales | The silk road: duties and responsibilities of Hong Kong’s senior counsel

Hong Kong has 104 senior counsel out of 1,700 barristers. So what makes senior counsel special, and are they worth that status?

Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong to raise fines for 19 traffic offences on January 1

New penalties to range from HK$480 for minor offences to HK$1,500 for serious violations such as driving more than 45km/h over speed limit.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine’s parliament rocked by new bribery scandal as Zelensky heads to US talks

Guards try to block anti-corruption officials from entering parliament offices as part of their investigation into MPs taking bribes.

Participants at a rally react after Ukrainian lawmakers vote to reinstate the independence of anti-corruption bodies on July 31. Photo: Reuters
Singapore

Singapore in 2025: election fever, courtroom drama, pickleball mania

Local politics, tariff concerns, a horrific child abuse case and noise disputes dominate the headlines this year.

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 High Court will rule on abuse of power and money laundering charges, with Najib facing the prospect of lengthy prison terms if found guilty.

Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak attends the verdict of his house arrest bid at Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex in Malaysia on Monday. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

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

While the ruling has been hailed as a win for human rights, it may not have much impact on Duterte’s ICC case, legal analysts say.

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Filipino policemen (from left) Jeremiah Pereda, Arnel Oares and Jerwin Cruz attend a Senate inquiry in Pasay City on August 24, 2017. Photo: EPA
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.

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.

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A supporter of former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak wears a t-shirt displaying Razak’s face at the Federal Court in Putrajaya, Malaysia, in August. Photo: EPA
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’.

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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.

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