Andrew Powner
Managing Partner
Practice Areas
Criminal Defence • Securities, Regulatory & Disciplinary Matters
- Admissions
- Hong Kong • England & Wales
- Languages
- English • French
Contact
- Tel
- (852) 2230 2887
- Fax
- (852) 2845 1637
- powner@haldanes.com
- Profile
Andrew specialises in white-collar crime and is experienced in dealing with the police, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), the Commercial Crime Bureau (CCB), the Customs & Excise Department, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and regulatory bodies.
More recently, he has been giving seminars on the National Security Law and advising most of the international media on the NSL.
The managing partner of Haldanes, Andrew, has been practising as a criminal defence lawyer in Hong Kong for over 25 years.
During this time, he has defended many large-scale white-collar commercial crime cases as well as representing clients investigated by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (SEHK), and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as well as by the Hong Kong Immigration and Customs & Excise Departments.
Andrew conducts his own trials, mitigations, and bail applications in the Magistrates and District Courts and instructs suitable counsel when required. He engages in the detailed preparation of cases for the High Court, Court of Appeal and Court of Final Appeal, as well as for regulatory bodies.
He has also assisted in the prosecution and detection of crime and advised companies on possible criminal conduct by directors or employees, including advice to the victims of crime.
Andrew has developed strong international ties and represented clients from a wide range of countries for offences involving extradition, fraud, money laundering and computer crime.
For many years in his early career, Andrew was an active participant in Haldanes’ football team, which won the Hong Kong Legal League for three years in a row.
Later on, he helped coach his son and two daughters, who all enjoyed playing and watching football as a family.
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Notable Criminal Cases:
- MTR Public Inquiry – Commission of Inquiry into new MTR railway line with construction law and criminal law aspects of the investigation, acting for a sub-contractor
- Lead solicitor in one of first criminal trials to take place partly in Mainland China using Hong Kong Law under a Letter of Request; involving examination of witnesses in a PRC courtroom before a HK and PRC Judge
- Case concerning former President of Italy; represented directors of Hong Kong companies who were on trial in Milan jointly charged with the former Italian President. Judicial Review case up to Court of Final Appeal
- Legal proceedings concerning former President of Egypt and others charged overseas; clients acquitted with Restraint Order discharged in Hong Kong
- Lead solicitor for one Defendant in “Shanghai Land” trial; won in Court of Final Appeal, with costs.
- Represented marine pilot in criminal trial after accident at sea causing multiple fatalities; acquitted in Court of Appeal, with costs.
- Represented CEO of HK listed company in High Court jury trial. Conducted defence case for High Court trial up to Court of Final Appeal, with leading judgment on search warrants.
- Fetish Fashion – public order trial, won with costs.
- Major Hong Kong media publisher: representing journalists charged with publishing-related criminal offences
- Various well-known restaurants and construction companies – representation in Court for regulatory breaches
- Former CEO of major Hong Kong bank in high profile ICAC case; won in Court of Final Appeal
- Successfully defended a Director of a Japanese multinational in a CCB trial before a High Court jury.
- Represented one of wealthiest persons in Asia in high profile trial concerning forgery of a Will.
- Providing advice to the international media on the National Security Law.
What the legal directories say:
- Recognised by China Business Law Journal in their “A-list” as one of China’s elite 100 lawyers (Foreign Law Firms) 2020 – 2022
- Recommended in WWL China & Hong Kong – Business Crime Defence & Investigations 2019 – 2022
- “Andrew Powner is deemed a market leading practitioner by international commentators who laud his excellent management skills in heavyweight cases and identify him as an outstanding specialist in the field”
- Recommended in Who’s Who Legal – Business Crime Defence 2014 – 2022 (Corporates)
- Recommended in Who’s Who Legal – Business Crime Defence 2014 – 2022 (Individuals)
- Recommended in Who’s Who Legal – Investigations 2019 – 2021
- Recommended in Doyle’s Guide 2021
Leading White Collar Crime, Corporate Crime & Regulatory Investigations Lawyers – Hong Kong (Preeminent) - Recommended in Doyle’s Guide 2021 and 2022
Leading Criminal Lawyers – Hong Kong (Leading) - Recommended in Doyle’s Guide 2020
Leading White Collar Crime, Corporate Crime & Regulatory Investigations Lawyers – Hong Kong (Preeminent) - Recommended in Doyle’s Guide 2020
Leading Criminal Lawyers – Hong Kong (Preeminent) - Recommended in Doyle’s Guide 2019
Leading White Collar Crime, Corporate Crime & Regulatory Investigations Lawyers – Hong Kong (Preeminent) - Recognised in Expert Guide – Fraud and White Collar Crime 2014 – 2021
- Recommended in Global Investigations Review 2016 to 2018
- Recommended in Chambers Asia Client Guide as one of the “leading individuals” in criminal litigation in Hong Kong”
- Winner of the Asian Law Awards for “Managing Partner of the Year” in 2001
Professional Memberships:
- Appointed to The Law Reform Commission to review the law relating to sexual offences (2006 to present)
- Member of Law Society Committee to review legislation on covert surveillance with the Hong Kong Secretary for Security
- Member of Criminal Law and Procedure Committee of The Law Society of Hong Kong (1998 to 2016)
- International Bar Association – Criminal Law Representative for Hong Kong (2014 to 2016)
- Member of Law Society of Hong Kong
- Member of Law Society of England & Wales
- Professional mentor to law students at the Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Assessor in criminal advocacy for the University of Hong Kong
Testimonials
“Andrew is an excellent operator.”
“He has excellent client handling skills.”
“Andrew is calm and unruffled under pressure.”
Who’s Who Legal
Recognition
China Business Law Journal – The A-List 2022 – China’s Elite 100 Lawyers (Foreign Firms)
Doyle’s Guide 2022 – Leading Criminal Lawyers – Hong Kong (Leading)
Doyle’s Guide 2021 – Leading Criminal Lawyers – Hong Kong (Leading)
Doyle’s Guide 2021 – Leading White Collar Crime, Corporate Crime & Regulatory Investigations Lawyers – Hong Kong (Preeminent)
Asian Legal Business Awards 2017 – “Managing Partner of the Year – Andrew Powner (Finalist)”
Asian Legal Business Awards 2001 – “Managing Partner Of The Year – Andrew Powner (Winner)”