Acquittal on Charges of Using a Forged Mexican Passport
Criminal Law
On 3 March 2025, after a one-day trial before Magistrate Mr MOK Tze-chung, Andrew in the Shatin Magistrates’ Court, the Defendant in STCC 2971/2024 was acquitted of two charges of “using a forged travel document”, contrary to section 42(2)(b) of the Immigration Ordinance, Cap 115. The Defendant was represented by Hectar Pun, SC and Anson Wong Yu Yat.
The Prosecution alleged that the Defendant presented a forged Mexican passport for arrival clearance at the Hong Kong International Airport on 26 June 2024 and for departing Hong Kong on 28 July 2024, which formed the subject matter of the two charges. While accepting the Prosecution’s expert evidence that the Mexican passport in question was forged, the learned Magistrate found in favour of the Defence submissions that the Prosecution had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the Defendant knew the passport was forged. Accordingly, the Defendant was acquitted.
Hectar Pun, SC
“Hectar always delivers high-quality advice in a short amount of time. He conducts clear and concise advocacy, thinks quickly on his feet, and can always answer questions from the bench impressively.”
Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2025, Administrative and Public Law — Tier 1 Leading Silks
Hectar was called to the Bar in 1995 and appointed Senior Counsel in 2015.
Hectar’s practice spans many areas including constitutional and administrative law, human rights law, immigration law, criminal law, land law, company law and commercial law. He appears regularly on behalf of applicants in major judicial review proceedings.
Hectar has acted for the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong, legislative councillors, district councillors, demonstrators, police officers, prisoners, refugees and asylum seekers, tenants of public housing estates, homosexuals, transsexuals, the disabled and the underprivileged, etc.
Visit Hectar’s profile for more details.
Anson Wong Yu Yat
“Anson is very comprehensive and creative in his research and very meticulous in his written work. His strength lies in his refusal to give up and his insistence in trying to find solutions around problems or obstacles to his client’s case.”
Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2025, Commercial Disputes & Administrative and Public Law — Leading Juniors
Anson has appeared in more than 150 court judgments (including 18 cases in the Court of Final Appeal with 13 substantive appeals) over the mere span of 9 years of full practice, reflecting the exceptional wealth of experience and exposure in civil litigation for his seniority.
Anson is experienced in handling complex questions of law, including those of great general or public importance which reached the Court of Final Appeal. For example, he has recently appeared in (among others) three civil appeals before the Court of Final Appeal dealing with important questions concerning insolvency matters, land law and equity, service out of jurisdiction and statutory interpretation.
Visit Anson’s profile for more details.
This article was first published on 6 March 2025.
Disclaimer: This article does not constitute legal advice and seeks to set out the general principles of the law. Detailed advice should therefore be sought from a legal professional relating to the individual merits and facts of a particular case. The photographs which appear in this article are included for decorative purposes only and should not be taken as a depiction of any matter to which the case is related. The views and opinions expressed in this article/material are solely those of the members authoring it and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Denis Chang’s Chambers, or of any other member or members of Denis Chang’s Chambers.