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Timothy Wan

Partner

Practice Areas
Criminal Defence • Securities, Regulatory & Disciplinary Matters

Admissions: Hong Kong
Languages: Cantonese • English • Mandarin

Contact

Tel: (852) 2230 2842
Fax: (852) 2845 1637
Email: timothy.wan@haldanes.com

Profile
Timothy specialises in criminal defence with a focus on commercial and regulatory investigations initiated by various law enforcement agencies, including the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), Commercial Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force (CCB), the Securities & Futures Commission (SFC) and the Customs and Excise Department (C&E).

Timothy has acted for local and overseas clients in all levels of courts in Hong Kong for a board range of criminal defence matters, including complex commercial crime, money laundering, bribery, fraud, traffic offences, sexual offences, violence-related offences, dangerous drugs-related offences and immigration offences. He frequently represents clients before the Magistrates’ Courts and the District Court for mentions, bail applications, and mitigations.

Asian Legal Business has recognised Timothy as Asia 40 Under 40 2023 and one of the ALB Rising Stars Hong Kong 2023.

Outside work, he is an avid runner and was a member of the Hong Kong Athletics Team. He formerly represented Hong Kong in various local and regional competitions, where he was part of the team which broke the record for the Hong Kong Junior and HKAAA Junior Records of 4x400m.

Education
- Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL), City University of Hong Kong
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (Hons), University of Warwick, United Kingdom
- Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons) in Policy Studies and Administration, City University of Hong Kong
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Notable Cases:
- Successfully appealed against both the conviction and sentence of 9 months’ imprisonment for an individual who was charged with causing grievous bodily harm by dangerous driving, with costs awarded (HCMA 496/2023).
- Secured an acquittal with costs for an individual accused of a conspiracy to defraud charge and a fraud charge, involving the purchase of a residential property in the sum of HK$10M (STCC 519/2022).
- Represented an individual involved in a traffic accident who was charged with “doing an act (acts) tending and intended to pervert the course of public justice” at trial and appeal. The appeal against conviction was allowed, the conviction and the 6 months sentenced imposed was quashed (HCMA 97/2021).
- Defended 24 individuals who were charged with using a motor vehicle for hire or reward without a hire car permit at trial, appeal at the Court of First Instance and instructing Queen’s Counsel for leave application and appeal at the Court of Final Appeal (FACC 1 of 2020).
- Conducted mitigation for an individual who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to deal with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence, the property being a sum of HK$14.6 million (DCCC 701-703 & 705/2019) (consolidated).
- Represented a couple who were charged with defrauding a bank of two mortgage loans, totalling HK$10 million, by using false income proof. Prosecution offered no evidence against the husband. The wife’s 2 years custodial sentence was suspended (DCCC 704/2018).
- Secured an acquittal for a 19 year-old student who was charged with the offence of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, contrary to section 33(1) and (2) of the Public Order Ordinance (Cap. 245) Laws of Hong Kong.
- Secured acquittals for the director and the clerk of a Hong Kong trading company in a 12-day District Court trial case involving exportation of lard to Taiwan.
- Defended a managing director of an international investment bank in a high-profile dangerous driving causing death case.
- Assisted in the defence of a listed company chairman in the first SFC prosecution in Hong Kong on Price Rigging under section 296 of the Securities & Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571).
- Assisted in the defence of a listed company directors in a letter of credit fraud trial and instructed a leading Queen’s Counsel from London on stay applications, judicial review & appeal.
- Assisted in the defence of a director of a multi-national corporation related to pyramid-scheme investigations.
Publications:

Timothy is author or a co-author of the following:
- 9 Things to Know About Traffic Offences and Accidents in Hong Kong, published by Lexology in the United Kingdom.
- Hong Kong chapter of “Doing Business in Hong Kong Guide 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020″, published by LexisNexis in the United Kingdom.
- “Financial & Business Crime Global Guide – Hong Kong 2016 and 2017”, published by Thomson Reuters, United Kingdom.
- “Business crime and investigations in Hong Kong 2019 and 2021”, published by Thomson Reuters, United Kingdom.

Testimonials

“What has impressed us the most is your efficiency and proficiency in handling the case. Your prompt responses in handling all the correspondences and your familiarity and experience with the procedure and process were truly impressive. They were the keys to the timely resolution of the case. In addition, your care for your clients in all aspects is respected and highly appreciated. You gave us the confidence that we desperately needed.”

Client Quote

“We greatly appreciate your clear explanation of the different legal options, invaluable suggestions on the preferred choice of option, and accurate prediction of the desirable outcome of the case.”

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“Timothy, thank you again to help me throughout the year, and had me to be happy again.”

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“His detailed and diligent work ensured both counsel and I were well prepared for trial, and no doubt was a major contributor to the verdict.”

Client Quote