[CPD Talk] Conspiracy to Defraud: Divergence between HK and UK Law and Potential Future Developments
Join us and our guest speakers Collingwood Thompson KC and Andrew Wheeler KC from 7BR, London as we delve into one of the most intriguing areas of criminal law — the differing approaches to conspiracy to defraud in HK and the UK, and the potential directions for future development.
𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸
Date: Wednesday, 25 March 2026
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, followed by a drinks reception
Speakers: Collingwood Thompson KC, Andrew Wheeler KC, Frederick Fong, Anson Wong Yu Yat
Venue: Denis Chang’s Chambers, 9/F, One Lippo Centre, 89 Queensway, Admiralty
CPD Accreditation: 1 point (application in progress)
Collingwood Thompson KC
Collingwood Thompson KC has specialised in both civil and criminal fraud, since taking silk in 1998. Collingwood has acted in some of the most high profile fraud cases, both on behalf of the Crown and the defence.
Both prosecution agencies and defence solicitors regularly instruct him. Concerning the prosecution, he works closely with the CPS and NCA. Regarding defence matters he represents individuals and corporate clients in large fraud investigations.
While being in silk and through his fraud practice he has developed an expertise in legal professional privilege, particularly in connection with search warrants and production orders.
Also, his practice over the past 20 years has become increasingly international, where he has appeared in the courts and advised in a number of jurisdictions including; Caribbean, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Thailand and Jersey.
Some of the matters he has worked on recently are as follows:
• Advising the Attorney General of Jersey on fraud-related investigations;
• Representing CITIC Group in Hong Kong concerning an LPP issue;
• Representing a large well established institution on the Isle of Man, which has been accused of Money Laundering and regulatory issues.
His work also includes advising offshore clients, in particular trust structures in relation to breach of sanctions regulations.
Collingwood is ranked in both Chambers & Partners 2025 and Legal 500 2025 as one of the leaders at the London Bar for Financial Crime/Fraud: Crime.
In addition to representing parties in Court, since taking Silk, Collingwood has regularly delivered in-house training for Members, as well as being engaged by external solicitors for training, particularly in relation to new legal developments in the fraud and regulatory sphere.
Please visit Collingwood Thompson KC’s profile for more details.
Andrew Wheeler KC
Andrew Wheeler KC is head of the Financial Crime Team at 7BR Chambers, London, and is ranked in Financial Crime/Fraud by the Legal 500 and by Chambers & Partners.
Andrew has extensive experience in relation to offshore & international criminal investigations, and in the UK of the defence and prosecution of serious fraud, associated money laundering and proceeds of crime restraint/confiscation, and compliance/regulatory matters – and has a detailed knowledge of evidence gathering from, and asset tracing through, multiple jurisdictions. Andrew has been regularly instructed by leading defence firms, both offshore/internationally and in the UK, and by the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Insolvency Service & Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
His experience extends in particular to Bribery & Corruption, Sanctions, Money Laundering, Cryptocurrency Investigations (he represented the sole defendant in what was the UK’s most complex criminal cryptocurrency investigation), Company Investigations, Insolvency and Tax fraud, and to issues of Insider Dealing. He regularly advises the UK and offshore & International sectors in respect of financial crime, anti-money laundering and associated regulatory & compliance issues – and in that regard successfully represented an MLRO in the Isle of Man’s first prosecution for offences of Failing to Report Suspicions of Terrorist Financing & Money Laundering.
Andrew has conducted seminars in respect of Money Laundering/AML – both in the UK and also for a number of offshore and international jurisdictions, including the Caribbean, Hong Kong, Cyprus, the Channel Islands & the Isle of Man. He has also conducted seminars in a number of jurisdictions in respect of key aspects of digital fraud investigations, cybercrime and cryptocurrency, and internal/corporate investigations.
In addition to his financial crime work, Andrew has had significant involvement in general crime, and has been instructed as leading counsel to defend in cases involving, in particular, complex murder/homicide investigations.
Andrew is qualified to accept instructions direct from clients under the Bar Council’s Public Access Scheme. This means that members of the public who seek specialist advice can come direct to him. In addition, he welcomes instructions from solicitors, in-house law departments, qualified foreign lawyers, and clients licensed by the Bar Council to give instructions direct to barristers under the Bar Council’s Licensed Access Scheme.
Please visit Andrew Wheeler KC’s profile for more details.
Frederick Fong
Frederick has a general civil and criminal practice. His civil practice is broad with particular emphasis on personal injuries, intellectual property, and matrimonial law. He also represents clients in a wide range of criminal and regulatory matters, in particular, commercial crimes and Securities and Futures Commission investigations.
Please visit Frederick’s profile for more details.
Anson Wong Yu Yat
“ Anson is a hardworking counsel whose legal knowledge is impressive. He is willing to test different arguments and go the extra mile for clients. His advocacy is excellent.”
“Anson has an exceptional ability to distill complex information into clear, high-level insights. It’s truly a pleasure to work with him.”
Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2026
Administrative and Public Law – Tier 1 Leading Junior; Commercial Disputes – Leading Junior
Anson has appeared in more than 200 court judgments (including 20 cases in the Court of Final Appeal with 13 substantive appeals) over the mere span of 10 years’ call, reflecting the exceptional wealth of experience and exposure in civil litigation for his seniority.
Anson has developed a broad civil practice with particular interest in intellectual property and competition law matters. He 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 (see Re Hsin Chong Construction Co Ltd (2021) 24 HKCFAR 98, Cheung Lai Mui v Cheung Wai Shing (2021) 24 HKCFAR 116 and Fong Chak Kwan v Ascentic Ltd (2022) 25 HKCFAR 135 respectively). He also appeared in one of the first two enforcement actions before the Competition Tribunal, arguing issues relating to the burden and standard of proof as well as the proper approach for the determination of pecuniary penalties (see Competition Commission v W Hing Construction Co Ltd [2019] 3 HKLRD 46; [2020] 2 HKLRD 1229).
Please visit Anson’s profile for more details.
This article was first published on 17 March 2026.
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.