Anthony Chau appointed as new Director of Public Prosecutions, succeeding Maggie Yang after 32 years of service.

Appointment of Director of Public Prosecutions

The Department of Justice (DoJ) announced today (May 20) the appointment of MrAnthony Chau Tin-hang, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, to succeed MsMaggie Yang Mei-kei as the Director of Public Prosecutions with effect from tomorrow (May21). Ms Yang will proceed on pre-retirement leave on the same day after 32 years of distinguished service with the DoJ.

Welcoming the appointment, the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, said, "MrChau is a seasoned lawyer deeply committed to the pursuit of justice. I have every confidence that, with his solid professional knowledge and experience in criminal law and leadership prowess, he will steer the Prosecutions Division through the challenges ahead and continue to discharge his role with utmost professionalism."

Mr Lam also expressed his gratitude to Ms Yang for her dedication and significant contributions during her term of service and wished her a fulfilling and happy retirement.

Ranked at the Law Officer (DL6) level, the Director of Public Prosecutions is responsible for directing public prosecutions and advising on the development, enforcement and implementation of the criminal law.

Brief biographical notes on the two officers are set out below:

Ms Maggie Yang Mei-kei

----------------------------

Ms Yang was admitted as a solicitor in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong in 1992 and 1993 respectively, and was subsequently called to the Bar in 2021. She joined the DoJ in 1994 as Crown Counsel, and was promoted to Senior Crown Counsel in 1996, Deputy Principal Government Counsel in 2012 and Principal Government Counsel in 2019. She was appointed Law Officer in 2021 and has since held the position of Director of Public Prosecutions. She has served largely in the Prosecutions Division during her service in the DoJ.

Mr Anthony Chau Tin-hang

----------------------------

Mr Chau was admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong in 2001, and was subsequently called to the Bar in 2026. He was appointed as Government Counsel in 2007 and promoted to Senior Government Counsel in 2010, Assistant Principal Government Counsel in 2019, Deputy Principal Government Counsel in 2020 and Principal Government Counsel in 2022. He has been serving in the Prosecutions Division since joining the DoJ in 2007.

Appointment of Director of Public Prosecutions Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Appointment of Director of Public Prosecutions Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to eight weeks' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (May 20) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted an incoming 45-year-old female passenger at the Lo Wu Control Point yesterday (May 19) and seized 861 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $3,530 and a duty potential of about $2,846 from her personal baggage. The female passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: AI-found images