As a criminal lawyer in Hong Kong, Johnny specializes in Criminal Litigation. He has experience at all levels of the Courts and is a partner in the firm’s Corporate Crime Department. He has represented both individuals and companies in numerous cases investigated and prosecuted by various enforcement agencies including:-
- The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)
- The Commercial Crime Bureau (CCB)
- The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC)
- The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)
- The Immigration Department
- The Customs & Excise Department
- The Labour Department
- The Hong Kong Police Force
Johnny is a trial advocate and regularly appears in the Magistrates’ Courts, the District Court and Disciplinary Tribunals. He has considerable experience in dealing with the Department of Justice concerning potential prosecutions. He also advises and accompanies individuals and company representatives who are filing reports to the Hong Kong Police.
In 2016, Johnny was appointed to the Criminal Law and Procedure Committee of The Law Society of Hong Kong, which reviews and advises on criminal laws and regulations proposed to be enacted and advises members on all procedural matters relating to criminal legal practice.
He has been recognized as a leading criminal lawyer by Doyles Guide.
Relevant news:
- Johnny Ho presented the Robertsons Prize at City University of Hong Kong, School of Law
- Robertsons’ criminal lawyers recognised by the Doyle’s Guide again
- Barry Hoy, Kevin Steel and Johnny Ho recognised as Litigation Stars by Benchmark Litigation
- Robertsons at the Law Society of Hong Kong’s Spring Cocktail Reception
- Robertsons at the Law Society’s 14th Recreation and Sports Night
- 40% of our current partners have been Robertsons' trainees!
- Presentation of Robertsons Prize at HKU Faculty of Law
- Robertsons’ criminal lawyers listed on the Doyle’s Guide again
- Johnny Ho attended CUHK Faculty of Law’s Scholarships and Prizes Presentation Ceremony 2023
- Johnny Ho spoke at CUHK’s career seminar – “Life as a Criminal Lawyer”
Practice Areas
Criminal & Commercial Crime, Regulatory Investigations & Proceedings
Languages
English, Cantonese, Mandarin
Qualifications & Education
Solicitor, Hong Kong (2008)
Solicitor, England and Wales (2013)
Member of Criminal Law and Procedure Committee of The Law Society of Hong Kong (2016)
Civil Celebrant, Hong Kong (2017)
Member of Working Party on Use of IT in Judicial Process of The Law Society of Hong Kong (2020)
Member of Legal Aid Committee of The Law Society of Hong Kong (2024)
Bachelor of Arts, University of British Columbia
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), City University of Hong Kong
Postgraduate Certificate in Laws, City University of Hong Kong
Master of Laws in Criminology and Criminal Justice, London School of Economics
Memberships
The Law Society of Hong Kong
The Law Society of England & Wales
COMMERCIAL CRIME
- Handling a multi-jurisdictional money laundering case of over US$300 million involving Hong Kong, Mainland China and United States of America.
- Defended clients who were charged with Money Laundering in L/C fraud cases. These cases were often cited by legal practitioners on the issue in relation to having “reasonable grounds to believe” – FAMC 28/2007; CACC 482/2010.
- Representing ex-government officials in a high profile criminal case in relation to Misconduct in Public Office – DCCC 761/2018.
- Acted for bank officers at the management level in the Lehman Brothers mini-bonds investigation conducted by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.
- Obtaining urgent injunctive relief against individuals blocking the entrance of a popular Chinese newspaper company – HCA 2037/2014.
- Representing listed company directors from different jurisdictions (including Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Mauritius, Oman, Thailand, Indonesia and United States of America) in filing reports to the Hong Kong Police in relation to internet fraud, email fraud and other deception cases.
- Making successful applications to withdraw money from bank accounts which have been restrained by a Restraint Order issued by the Court.
- Handling multi-jurisdictional investigation carried out by the Customs & Excise Department in relation to import and export issues involving Hong Kong, Mainland China and the United Kingdom.
GENERAL CRIME
- Represented clients charged with Murder at trial and attempted plea negotiations and engaging expert witnesses to produce expert medical reports – KCCC 3359/2021, KCCC 831/2024 and TMCC 1203/2024.
- Acted for clients facing offences such as Possession and Trafficking in Dangerous Drugs by providing through-train support in plea bargaining, committal and trial proceedings – HCCC 202/2021, WKCC 2949/2022, KTCC 2018/2023, CACC 179/2023 and HCCC 91/2024.
- Successfully defended clients charged with sexual offences such as Rape, Indecent Assault and having Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a girl under the age of 16 in trial proceedings across various levels of court – HCCC 393/2014, DCCC 545/2023, WKCC 3757/2021 and ESCC 875/2023.
- Also successfully defended clients charged with various Immigration offences such as wrongful possession of two HKID cards, unlawful employment, possessing false identification documents and making false declarations to the Immigration Department – STCC 1725/2015 and ESCC 1827/2023.
- Acted for clients facing Dangerous Driving or Drink Driving offences at trial and preparation for plea and mitigation – KCS 503782/2019, KCCC 2035/2023, STCC 2340/2023 and STCC 3958/2023.
- Acted for clients charged with Common Assault and Wounding of Police Officers – WKCC 3102/2018, ESCC 2270/2021, ESCC 3757/2021 and ESCC 432/2023.
- Successfully defended clients charged with Theft and Deception-related cases – KCCC 3394/2021, DCCC 881/2023 and DCCC 922/2023.
- Established track record in negotiating with relevant authorities and successfully seeking Bind Over Orders, Probation Orders and the reduction in severity of charges.
*The cases cited above are non-exhaustive and represent a limited selection of cases recently handled by Johnny.