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 has been practising as a criminal defence lawyer in Hong Kong with Haldanes for over 30 years.
He has defended many large-scale white collar commercial crime cases brought by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (“ICAC”) and the Commercial Crime Bureau (“CCB”), as well as representing clients arrested by the Hong Kong Police Force, from obtaining bail at the police station until trial.
Andrew has also represented many clients who are 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, as well as instructing suitable counsel, when required. He engages in detailed preparation of cases for the High Court, Court of Appeal, Court of Final Appeal, and 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.
Andrew is a member of the International Bar Association commercial crime group. He is also a speaker at IBA and other conferences on white collar crime, and comes recommended in Who’s Who Legal: Business Crime Defence (2014 – 2024) for corporates and individuals; WWL Investigations (2019 – 2024); and Expert Guides: Fraud and White Collar Crime (2014 – 2023). He has also been recognised by China Business Law Journal in their “A-List” for 2 years as one of China’s elite 100 lawyers (Foreign Law Firms); as well as in Doyle’s Guide (2019 – 2024) as a Leading Criminal Lawyer.
- Managing Partner 1997 – Present
- Department of Justice debate with the Director of Public Prosecutions on the anti-money laundering laws of Hong Kong
- Appointed to The Law Reform Commission to review the law relating to sexual offences (2006 to present)
- Speaker at criminal litigation, white collar crime, regulatory and SFC enforcement seminars
- 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 (2000 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
- Speaker at International Bar Association conferences on white-collar crime
- Read more
Notable 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 a former President of Italy; represented directors of Hong Kong companies who were on trial in Milan jointly charged with a former Italian President. Judicial Review case up to Court of Final Appeal
- Legal proceedings concerning a 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 the CEO of a Hong Kong listed company in High Court jury trial. Conducted defence case from High Court up to Court of Final Appeal, with leading judgment on search warrants
- Represented Fetish Fashion in public order trial and won with costs
- Represented journalists of a major Hong Kong media publisher who are charged with publishing-related criminal offences
- Represented various well known restaurants and construction companies in Court for regulatory breaches
- Represented a former CEO of a major Hong Kong bank in a high profile ICAC case; won in Court of Final Appeal
- Successfully defended a Director of a Japanese multinational enterprise in a CCB trial before a High Court jury
- Represented one of wealthiest persons in Asia in a high profile trial concerning the forgery of a Will
- Providing advice to the international media on the National Security Law
- With over 30 years of experience, Andrew has represented many clients for alleged bribery, fraud, conspiracy to defraud, false accounting, money-laundering, restraint orders, extradition, dangerous drugs, road traffic, theft, computer crime, assault, sexual assault, public order, manslaughter, murder and offences under the Crimes Ordinance and ICAC Ordinance.
What the legal directories say:
- “Andrew Powner is held in high esteem in Hong Kong’s business crime defence market, with sources saying he has “excellent client management skills, and is calm and unruffled under pressure.” – Who’s Who Legal
- “Andrew Powner distinguishes himself as a go-to name in the market who “seeks practical solutions whilst being mindful of the law and available legal remedies at all times.” – Who’s Who Legal
- “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.” – Who’s Who Legal
- “Andrew Powner is a favourite among peers and clients for all white-collar-crime matters in Hong Kong, with sources confirming that “he is outstanding in this field”. ” – Who’s Who Legal
Awards:
- Recognised by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Awards 2023 as the Hong Kong SAR Lawyer of the Year
- Recommended in Doyle’s Guide 2021 – 2024 Leading White Collar Crime, Corporate Crime & Regulatory Investigations Lawyers – Hong Kong (Recommended)
- Recommended in Doyle’s Guide 2024
Leading Criminal Lawyers – Hong Kong (Leading) - Recognised by China Business Law Journal in their “A-list” as one of China’s elite 100 lawyers (Foreign Law Firms) 2020 – 2025
- Recommended in WWL China & Hong Kong – Business Crime Defence & Investigations 2019 – 2024
- Recommended in Who’s Who Legal – Business Crime Defence 2014 – 2024 (Corporates)
- Recommended in Who’s Who Legal – Business Crime Defence 2014 – 2024 (Individuals)
- Recognised by Expert Guide – Fraud and White Collar Crime 2014 – 2023
- 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
Testimonials
“Andrew is an excellent operator.”
“He has excellent client handling skills.”
“Andrew is calm and unruffled under pressure.”
Who’s Who Legal
Recognition
Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2025 – White-Collar Crime – Domestic Firms – Litigation Star
Doyle’s Guide 2025 – Leading White Collar Crime, Corporate Crime & Regulatory Investigations Lawyers – Hong Kong (Leading)
Doyle’s Guide 2025 – Leading Criminal Lawyers – Hong Kong (Preeminent)
The China Business Law Journal – The A-List (Visionary) 2025
Doyle’s Guide 2024 – Leading White Collar Crime, Corporate Crime & Regulatory Investigations Lawyers – Hong Kong (Leading)
Doyle’s Guide 2024 – Leading Criminal Lawyers – Hong Kong (Preeminent)
The China Business Law Journal – The A-List (Visionary) 2024
Who’s Who Legal 2023 – Global Investigations Review – Business Crime Defence – Corporates (Thought Leader)
Who’s Who Legal 2023 – Business Crime Defence – Mainland China & Hong Kong (Global Thought Leader)
Doyle’s Guide 2023 – Leading Criminal Lawyers – Hong Kong (Leading)
Doyle’s Guide 2023 – Leading White Collar Crime, Corporate Crime & Regulatory Investigations Lawyers – Hong Kong (Recommended)
Benchmark Awards – Hong Kong SAR Lawyer of the Year 2023 (Winner)
China Business Law Journal – The A-List 2022 – China’s Elite 100 Lawyers (Foreign Firms)
Doyle’s Guide 2022 – Leading White Collar Crime, Corporate Crime & Regulatory Investigations Lawyers – Hong Kong (Recommended)
Doyle’s Guide 2022 – Leading Criminal Lawyers – Hong Kong (Leading)
Who’s Who Legal – Business Crime Defence & Investigations 2021
Doyle’s Guide 2021 – Leading White Collar Crime, Corporate Crime & Regulatory Investigations Lawyers – Hong Kong (Preeminent)
Doyle’s Guide 2021 – Leading Criminal Lawyers – Hong Kong (Leading)
Who’s Who Legal: Business Crime Defence 2020 (Corporates and Individuals)
Doyle’s Guide 2020 – Leading White Collar Crime, Corporate Crime & Regulatory Investigations Lawyers – Hong Kong (Preeminent)
Doyle’s Guide 2020 – Leading Criminal Lawyers – Hong Kong (Preeminent)
Asian Legal Business Awards 2017 – Managing Partner of the Year (Finalist)
Articles