Edward Wong Ching-yu

In this Hong Kong name, the surname is Wong. In accordance with Hong Kong custom, the Western-style name is Edward Wong and the Chinese-style name is Wong Ching-yu.

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Edward Wong Ching-yu
王證瑜
Personal details
Born	1982 (age 41–42) Hong Kong
Nationality	Chinese
Alma mater	City University of Hong Kong Chinese University of Hong Kong University of Hong Kong University of Cambridge
Occupation	Permanent Magistrate
Profession	Judiciary

Edward Wong
Traditional Chinese	王證瑜
Simplified Chinese	王证瑜
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Wáng Zhèngyú Yue: Cantonese Jyutping Wong4 Zing3 Jyu4

Edward Wong Ching-yu (Chinese: 王證瑜; born 1982) is a Hong Kong permanent magistrate. He was previously a practising barrister.

Early life

Wong was born in Hong Kong in 1982. He attended St Joseph's Primary School and St Joseph's College for his early education, where he was placed in elite classes. During his time at St. Joseph's College, he was a member of the school's football team, which won the championship in Division One of the Inter-School Football Competition for two consecutive seasons, 1997–1998 and 1998–1999.

In 2001, he began reading law at the City University of Hong Kong (CityU). During his time at CityU, Wong was actively involved in student leadership and extracurricular activities. In 2002, he was elected President of the Law Students' Society of CityU. Wong also showcased his debating and advocacy skills by representing CityU in the Inter-University Debate Competition and prominent international moot court competitions. In 2003, he participated in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, and in 2004, he competed in the Hong Kong Red Cross International Humanitarian Law Moot.

Wong graduated with a Bachelor of Laws with Honours in 2004, excelling particularly in subjects with an international focus, such as Public International Law and International Advocacy. He subsequently completed his Postgraduate Certificate in Laws at CityU in 2005.

Academic pursuits

In 2016, Wong completed a Master of Arts in Philosophy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, graduating in the top four in his class and receiving distinctions in major subjects such as conceptual analysis, methodology and argumentation, contemporary Anglo-American philosophy, and Confucianism.

Building on this achievement, he further advanced his academic pursuits by earning a Master of Public Administration with distinction from the University of Hong Kong in 2018. His exemplary performance spanned key subjects including organizational theory and management, institutional analysis for public policy and management, and public administration in China. Wong's dissertation, titled "Executive Power and Administrative Action in Hong Kong: Review and Change under the Rule of Law," explored the judicial review of executive power in the Region. It concluded that courts would intervene where administrative actions violate fundamental human rights, ensuring adherence to the principles of the rule of law.

Most recently, in 2024, Wong completed the Master of Studies in International Relations at the University of Cambridge, where he earned distinction in International Constitutional Law.

Currently, Wong is pursuing a Master of Studies in Practical Ethics at the University of Oxford, having received distinction in the Beginning of Life and Death module. He is also working towards a Doctor of Philosophy in Law and earned distinction for Advanced Legal Research Methodology. His doctoral dissertation explores the relationship between the rule of law in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and international jurisprudence from a judicial perspective.

Private practice

Wong completed his pupillage and began practising as a barrister at The Chambers of Anthony Francis Neoh, QC, SC, JP in 2006. Over the years, he handled several notable cases, including HKSAR v Tse Sui Luen (謝瑞麟) (DCCC 350/2006) concerning conspiracy to offer advantages to travel agents, HKSAR v Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course Co Ltd (HCMA 641/2009), HKSAR v Lew Mon-hung (劉夢熊) concerning perverting the course of justice (DCCC 819/2013), HKSAR v Au Yeung Lai Hung Doris [2013] 3 HKLRD 576 in which the Court of Appeal laid down guiding principles on costs in criminal cases, and HKSAR v Lau Shing Chung Simon (2015) 18 HKCFAR 50 in which the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal ruled on the admissibility of hearsay evidence.

In addition to his private practice, Wong served as a Deputy Magistrate of the Judiciary of Hong Kong from 2014 to 2017.

Judicial career

Wong was appointed as a Permanent Magistrate of the Judiciary of Hong Kong in 2017 and has since presided in all seven Magistrates' court (Hong Kong). In 2023, he was appointed as a Deputy District Judge of the District Court (Hong Kong).

Attempted Knife Attack

On November 4, 2024, a man was involved in an attempted knife attack at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts. He was swiftly subdued by on-site police officers. The individual had previously been convicted of indecent assault and sentenced to three weeks in prison by Wong in 2021. His appeals against the conviction were dismissed by the Court of First Instance (Hong Kong) of the High Court in April 2024 and Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal in October 2024.

The individual has been charged with attempted wounding with intent and is currently remanded in Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre under special watch.

In the aftermath of the incident, the Judiciary of Hong Kong, the Department of Justice (Hong Kong), and the Hong Kong Bar Association issued strong condemnations of any attacks on judicial officials.

As a result, the Judiciary of Hong Kong has begun implementing enhanced security measures at Magistrates' Courts, which include increased security screenings and additional personnel. Furthermore, the Judiciary of Hong Kong is collaborating closely with the Police to bolster patrols and other safety protocols, ensuring the protection of judges, judicial staff, and court users.

Lawmaker Doreen Kong Yuk-foon expressed her concern, stating that judges must be able to perform their duties without fear of threats. She labeled the incident as an act of "contempt" and "injury" to the judicial system and advocated for the implementation of security checks in all courts, including magistrates' courts, to prevent similar incidents in the future.

An editorial in the South China Morning Post underscored that the rule of law hinges on the safety of Hong Kong's judges. It emphasized that attacks on judges are unacceptable, noting that in recent years, some judges in the Region have faced threats, including death threats and harmful substances sent in letters. While safeguarding the courts requires balancing security with operational efficiency, ensuring the safety of judges should remain a top priority.

Personal interests

Driven by his passion for football, Wong has been a registered referee with the Football Association of Hong Kong, China, since 2021. Alongside his officiating career, he is also an avid runner, actively participating in major marathon events.