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Teresa Cheng

Hong Kong Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah has been embroiled in a controversy about illegal structures since January 6, her first day in office, when news emerged of 10 unauthorised extensions to her and her husband's home in Tuen Mun. Cheng claims the four illegal structures were there when she bought the three-storey property in 2008. The scandal widened when new evidence emerged that she had bought a HK$62 million (US$8 million) luxury flat in Repulse Bay with a deed specifying illegal extensions on the property. A senior counsel since 2000 and former chairwoman of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, Cheng is the city's fourth justice minister.

Born

11 Nov 1958

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Former Secretary of Justice, Hong Kong SAR

last updated:

7 October, 2024

Otto Poon, the husband of former justice secretary Teresa Cheng. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Hong Kong politics

Firm of husband of Hong Kong’s ex-justice chief faces record HK$150 million fine

ATAL Building Services Engineering of Analogue Holdings, set up by Otto Poon, will pay heaviest penalty of its kind after admitting liability in air-conditioning cartel cases.

4 Nov 2022 - 4:12PM

Hong Kong economy

Ex-justice secretary welcomes Beijing move to establish Hong Kong as mediation hub

3 Nov 2022 - 9:45AM

Hong Kong politics

A quick guide to who’s who on incoming team of Hong Kong leader John Lee

19 Jun 2022 - 11:49PM

Hong Kong at 25

Opinion | Can John Lee learn from Carrie Lam’s mistakes and rebuild public trust?

Lee is obviously keen to start a new chapter, but there are many pages he can borrow from his former boss’ book. Rebuilding public trust, taking public opinion seriously and connecting with the people would be a good start.

14 Jun 2022 - 4:54PMvideocam

Chief Executive Carrie Lam listens as then secretary for security John Lee speaks to the media at the Chief Executive’s Office in Tamar on July 21, 2019. Photo: Robert Ng

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong’s John Lee ‘finalising team, selects top 3 ministers’

Eric Chan, director of Chief Executive’s Office, expected to be nominated as chief secretary, according to sources.

2 Jun 2022 - 9:27PM

Hong Kong national security law

Hong Kong justice chief lashes out at critics of Stand News arrests

Accusing critics of acting ‘out of ignorance or with ulterior motives’, Cheng maintains the press’ freedom to operate ‘has always been well respected in Hong Kong’.

31 Dec 2021 - 6:35PMvideocam

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Hong Kong politics

Exclusive | China’s move to impose anti-sanctions law in Hong Kong ‘will not be immediate’

Local legislative process will allow government some time and leeway to assess impact, or pros and cons of implementation of law, insider says.

5 Aug 2021 - 8:07AMvideocam

Foreign entities acting to comply with sanctions imposed by the United States could potentially be held liable by China. Photo: AP

Hong Kong politics

Anti-sanctions law will be wielded with care, vows Hong Kong justice minister

Fresh off her four-day visit to Beijing, Teresa Cheng offers assurances the law will only be used to counter unreasonable sanctions on the city and country.

4 Aug 2021 - 7:00AMvideocam

Hong Kong national security law

Letters | Hong Kong justice chief did well to slam US risk advisory

If anything, it is the deterioration of US-China relations that is creating problems for American businesses in Hong Kong

1 Aug 2021 - 6:30AM

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong justice chief heading to Beijing to talk cross-border legal exchanges

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng is expected to ‘sign a number of cooperation arrangements … in the areas of legal, dispute resolution and deal-making services’.

26 Jul 2021 - 11:26PM

Justice minister Teresa Cheng is set to travel to Beijing this week for talks on cross-border cooperation in the legal field. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong courts

Opinion | Why the justice secretary’s senior counsel push has merit

Teresa Cheng’s proposal seeks to end unjustifiable discrimination between legal officers performing identical or similar duties. The situation of Hong Kong’s solicitor-advocates also requires redress.

18 Jun 2021 - 9:15AM

Legal practitioners feel the heat outside after an appointment ceremony for senior counsel at the Court of Final Appeal on May 29. Photo: Nora Tam

Hong Kong courts

Editorial | Hong Kong must think hard before blurring line between barristers and solicitors

Any major reforms must be approached cautiously and carefully to ensure high standards continue to be met and the rule of law is not undermined.

18 Jun 2021 - 2:56AM

Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong justice minister wants her solicitors to qualify for senior counsel rank

Teresa Cheng aims to instil fairness in system she says deprives department colleagues of recognition, but concerns are raised about potential for legal profession.

10 Jun 2021 - 9:31AM

Hong Kong electoral changes

Past actions, words will be vetted by committee under Hong Kong electoral overhaul

Teresa Cheng says details of decisions based on national security and intelligence will not be disclosed, but other matters can still be challenged in court by affected individuals.

3 Apr 2021 - 6:23PMvideocam

Hong Kong Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng. Photo: Nora Tam

Hong Kong electoral changes

Opposition can still offer ‘rational’ criticisms after revamp, justice chief say

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng says revamp aims to stop people who seriously undermine the country’s interests and constitutional order by entering political system.

13 Mar 2021 - 7:53PM

A coming overhaul will mean only ‘patriots’ can govern Hong Kong. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong protests

Justice chief hits out at ‘biased’ reporting on appeals against protesters

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng said some reports had ignored prosecutors’ arguments for seeking tougher sentences for those convicted over 2019’s social unrest.

6 Feb 2021 - 11:03PM

Law

Letters | Why British barrister was far from mercenary for accepting Hong Kong job

Upholding the cab rank rule, which ensures that any client can seek quality legal representation of their choice, is vital because it is an indivisible part of the tradition, integrity and independence of the bar.

3 Feb 2021 - 7:25AMvideocam

Hong Kong national security law

Letters | Outrage over QC’s exit yet more proof of double standards

If People’s Daily’s commentary on the decision to grant Jimmy Lai bail was freedom of speech, so was Dominic Raab’s criticism of David Perry QC’s decision to take up high-profile Hong Kong activists’ case.

28 Jan 2021 - 6:25AMvideocam

Hong Kong courts

London attacks on barrister in Jimmy Lai case ‘disgraceful’: Hong Kong justice chief

David Perry, who has handled numerous high-profile cases in the city over the past decade, had been labelled ‘mercenary’ by British foreign secretary.

21 Jan 2021 - 7:48AM

Hong Kong courts

Editorial | Hong Kong’s new chief justice deserves society’s full support

With the judiciary facing fire on multiple fronts, Mr Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung has put accountability and reform near the top of his agenda

12 Jan 2021 - 10:14PM

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong not an ‘independent judicial kingdom’: pro-Beijing heavyweight

Tam Yiu-chung, city’s sole delegate to country’s top legislative body, makes comments in publication as justice minister insists system ‘very much’ transparent.

4 Jan 2021 - 10:58PM

The opening ceremony of the new legal cycle in Hong Kong last year. Photo: Robert Ng

Law

Deputy director takes on role of Hong Kong’s top prosecutor after exit of boss

Senior counsel William Tam was made acting director ‘for administrative convenience’ on New Year’s Eve, according to the government gazette.

2 Jan 2021 - 4:18AMvideocam

The Department of Justice in Hong Kong’s Central district. Photo: Nora Tam

Hong Kong politics

Letters | National security law: contempt is now a one-way street in Hong Kong

21 Sep 2020 - 6:35AMvideocam

Hong Kong Basic Law

‘Separation of powers’ has no place in Hong Kong, justice chief says

In a commentary published in the Post, Cheng argues the discussion surrounding the term betrays a ‘pathetic’ lack of understanding of its implications.

9 Sep 2020 - 12:14PM

Hong Kong protests

Hong Kong justice chief wants case against officer who shot protester thrown out

Letters from the Department of Justice to the courts request an early date for a hearing to withdraw summonses in the private prosecution.

19 Aug 2020 - 12:20PM

A police officer holds his gun to a protester’s chest during a protest in Sai Wan Ho last November. The officer ended up opening fire, hitting another protester (not pictured). Photos: Nora Tam

Hong Kong national security law

Citizenship not prerequisite for choice of judge on national security cases: minister

Teresa Cheng gives clearest indication yet on controversial issue, while also warning lawmakers that they are not immune from new legislation.

8 Jul 2020 - 4:00AM

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng attends a meeting in Legco. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Hong Kong national security law

Letters | Hongkongers let down by lack of answers on new security law

6 Jul 2020 - 7:00AMvideocam

Hong Kong national security law

Hong Kong justice minister moves to calm national security law fears

Teresa Cheng says she does not believe city’s leader will be appointing judges to hear specific cases, but will compile a list of those that can.

22 Jun 2020 - 8:34PMvideocam

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