Matthew Cheung

Call: 2015

Matthew Cheung a practising barrister. He has a broad civil and commercial practice with emphasis on construction disputes, building management disputes, family and matrimonial matters, land law, intellectual property law, and trust matters. He has also acted for both prosecution and defence in a wide range of criminal cases involving various offences.

Before joining the legal professional, Matthew obtained a Bachelor of Building Engineering (Construction Engineering & Management) from City University of Hong Kong.

Matthew served his pupillage with Mr. Anthony Cheung, Mr. Gary Soo, Mr. Albert Luk and Ms. Queenie Ng. He has also served as Marshall to the Honourable Mr. Justice Louis Chan, former judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court.

Matthew was called to the Bar in 2015 and was awarded the Society of Construction Law Hong Kong Scholarship.

Since 2019, Matthew has been an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (ACIArb).

Matthew is currently a visiting lecturer of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and has been invited by different institutions to be a speaker on various topics including land and building management matters.


EDUCATION

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) – Distinguished Scholarship

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

  • Juris Doctor (JD)

City University of Hong Kong

  • Bachelor of Building Engineering (Construction Engineering & Management) (Law Minor) (BEBECEMLM), Second Class Honors (Division One)

Construction Industry Council Training Academy

Salesian English School (Secondary Section)


AWARD

Society of Construction Law (Hong Kong) Scholarship (2015)


SELECTED CASES

Civil

Resources Leader Limited v. Ho Ngo Ying [2023] 6 HKC 8 – Representing vendor defendant in a 5-day trial; the court found that the defendant had sufficiently answered the requisitions which the plaintiff was reasonably entitled to raise within a reasonable time and has shown a good title to the property. The Court also ruled on the legal effect of “letter of withdrawal” issued by Building Authority.

Lam Fung Sin v. Lee Yuet Wing DCCJ 212/2023 [2024] HKDC 33 – Representing the plaintiff (respondent in appeal) in the defendant’s appeal against Master’s decision dismissing a stay application in favour of matrimonial proceedings.

Dai Tim Keung v. Ho Wing Keung [2023] HKDC 577; DCCJ 5016/2018 – Representing a renovation contractor defendant in a 7-day trial; the defendant successfully defended the plaintiff’s claim and the counterclaim was allowed

嘉澤管理服務有限公司 v. Yield Bright International Ltd [2022] HKLdT 50; LDBM 289/2019 – Representing the respondent, who is a registered owner of several units in a shopping mall in Jordan, defending a claim brought by the applicant, the building manager of the shopping mall for unpaid management fee

Secretary for Justice v. Wong Lai Yin And Another [2022] 1 HKLRD 258 – Representing the 1st Defendant in an appeal against a judge’s decision of dismissing appeal against Master’s decision (dismissing application for striking out under the ground of “without prejudice” privilege) (led by Mr. C.Y. Li S.C.). Having heard the argument for the parties, the Court of Appeal consider that the appeal is reasonably arguable and therefore give leave to appeal, but the appeal is dismissed.

NKPL v. NSF & NFC [2022] HKFC 140; FCMC 14532/2019 – Representing the intervenor, mother of husband, in a trial of preliminary issue concerning beneficial ownership of a property held under the name of husband. The intervenor succeeded in her claim and the Court granted a declaration that she shall be one of the beneficial owners of such property and she shall be entitle to account of profit in respect of her beneficial interest in such property. 

Redland Precast Concrete Products (China) Ltd v. AES Steel Mould (Hong Kong) Ltd [2022] HKCFI 1731; HCCT 20/2018 – Representing the plaintiff (a contractor) in a trial against the defendant who was a sub-contractor of the plaintiff. The plaintiff and the defendant entered into a contract for design, supply and deliver of steel formworks and hydraulic system. The plaintiff in this action claimed that the steel formworks and hydraulic system from the defendant were defective (with Ms. Queenie Ng). 

Luck Sky (Hong Kong) Limited v. Bodum A.G. [2022] HKCFI 1019; HCA 1513/2017 – Representing the plaintiff in a 4-day trial in a dispute over a trading and manufacturing contract of household appliances of the brand “Bodum” (with Mr. Harrison Cheung).

Secretary for Justice v. Wong Lai Yin And Another [2021] HKCFI 162; HCA 2169/2017 – Representing the 1st Defendant (also representing the 1st Defendant in the hearing before Master) in an appeal against Master’s decision for dismissing application for striking out under the ground of “without prejudice” privilege (led by Mr. C.Y. Li S.C.).

Greater Hero Limited v. Force Way Engineering Limited [2020] HKCFI 2459; HCA 1152/2020 – Representing an employer/developer applying for interlocutory injunction requiring a contractor to hand-over and to vacate the Employer’s Site after termination of contract; also successfully in applying for costs of the application (with Mr. Solomon Lam).

Swallow Kingdom Holdings Ltd v. Lo Kok Shing Leo and others [2020] HKCFI 2396; HCA 2260/2016 in August 2020 – Representing the plaintiff, a new shareholder of a company, in a 7-day trial claiming against ex-shareholders and ex-directors of company for inter alia breach of contract and misrepresentation by failing to disclose debts payable by company in a sale and purchase transaction of the company’s shares; also successfully resisting defendants’ late discovery on the first day of trial.

A Series of Probate proceedings (undisclosed) in May 2020 – Representing a beneficiary of an estate seeking directions from the High Court of Hong Kong in relation to treatment of a sum payable to an estate (over HK$ 300 million) (with Ms. Queenie Ng).

An Arbitration in December 2019-January 2020 – Representing a building contractor (with Mr. Gary Soo) in a 10-day trial in an arbitration against an incorporated owners of a building.

Cheung Wai Sing Jackie Walter v. Billion Credit Financial Co. Ltd [2020] HKDC 94; DCMP 3325/2018 – Representing for a lender in a claim against a licensed money lender in a trial.

Ho Yin Mi v. Du Dan [2019] HKDC 1123; DCCJ 3591/2018 – Representing respondent in resisting applicant’s application for leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal.

Ho Yin Mi v. Du Dan [2019] HKDC 1089; DCCJ 3591/2018; DCCJ 2187/2019 – Representing the plaintiff, a landlord of a property, resisting defendant’s (tenant of the plaintiff’s property) application for stay of execution of writ of possession.

Ho Yin Mi v. Du Dan [2019] HKDC 901; DCCJ 3591/2018 – Representing the respondent (landlord in this case) applying for leave to appeal to Court of Appeal against an order for stay of execution .

Tam Sang William & Another v. Legendtoonland HCA 2335/2018 – Representing the defendant, a company, successfully resisting an Order 14 Application for summary judgement taken out by the defendant’s previous shareholders (No reported judgement).

Ko Nga Chun v. Companhia De Desenvol Vimento Wui San Limitada and Another [2018] HKCFI 1134; HCA 277/2012 – Representing the plaintiff in a dishonoured cheque case (with Mr. Anthony Cheung).

Interactive Media Network (China) Holdings Ltd v. Just Media Group Ltd and Others [2018] HKCFI 1114; HCA 2291/2017 – Representing plaintiff applying for interlocutory injunction against defendants in a passing-off action (led by Mr. Anson Wong S.C.).

Kwai Tak Ming v. K.S. Capital One Ltd and Others [2017] HKCA 345; CACV 132/2016 – application for leave to appeal to Court of Final Appeal.

Wide Power Corporation Ltd v. The Incorporated Owners of Manhattan Court [2016] HKCFI 968; HCA 1485/2013 – Application for leave to appeal against an order allowing the defendant to file supplemental expert report at a late stage.

Criminal

HKSAR v. Hung Mui Yin [2023] HKDC 1622 – Representing the 9th Defendant in a trial of unlawful assembly.

HKSAR v. Chan Ho Yee and Others [2022] HKCFI 1997; HCMA 70/2021 – Representing the appellant on an appeal against conviction of one count of unlawful assembly (with Ms. Queenie Ng)

HKSAR v. Li Yingyuan and other TMCC 866/2021 – Representing the 1st Defendant in a criminal trial where the 1st and 2nd Defendants were jointly charged with one count of wounding; the 1st Defendant also challenged admissibility of a cautioned statement; the 1st Defendant was acquitted after trial.

HKSAR v. Woo Tim-wing [2022] HKCFI 666; HCMA 26/2021 – Representingthe appellant on an appeal against conviction of one count of possessing articles with intent to damage property under Section 62 of the Crimes Ordinance (with Ms. Queenie Ng).

Prosecution on Fiat for the Department of Justice – October 2016 – present

Matthew is very strong on his legal research and presentation of legal arguments. He is a good quality advocate.

Legal 500 (Hong Kong Bar – Construction and Property), 2023

Matthew is a seasoned lawyer with good knowledge of the law and research skill. His drafting is also precise and cogent, he is articulate, and he is good at being able to formulate and present his point to the bench clearly and effectively.

Legal 500 (Hong Kong Bar – Construction and Property), 2024