Plowman Chambers

Head of Chambers, Plowman Chambers (Since Dec 2022)

Derek obtained his law and commerce degree (majoring in accounting) in New Zealand. He was awarded the Bar Scholarship by the Hong Kong Bar Association in 2003 and was called to the Hong Kong Bar in 2004.  He took silk in 2018.

Derek’s practice focus is on commercial crime, corruption, criminal cases initiated by various regulators and misconduct in the securities market resulting in tribunal proceedings or criminal prosecutions initiated by the Securities and Futures Commission. He regularly appearsas counsel in high profile criminal cases, including the corruption trial of the ex-Chief Executive of the HKSAR.  He also regularly appears for and against the Securities and Futures Commission on matters concerning market manipulation, insider dealing and other securities related market misconduct.

Derek has also developed a significant appellate practice, appearing regularly in criminal appeals both in the Court of Appeal and in the Court of Final Appeal. He also appeared as amicus curiae in the Court of Final Appeal in HKSAR v Ho Yau Yin (2010) 13 HKCFAR 217 and HKSAR v CHENG Wing Kin (2020) 23 HKCFAR 83, in the Court of Appeal in SJ v Fung Chi Hoi [2019] 4 HKLRD 188, and in the Court of First Instance in Ng Shek Wai v The Medical Council of Hong Kong [2015] 2 HKLRD 121.

Derek has served as a Deputy High Court Judge in 2020 and 2021.  Derek is currently the vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association.

Derek is now serving as a Recorder of the Court of First Instance of the High Court for a term of three years, commencing from 1 May 2022.

English, Putonghua and Cantonese

New Zealand Bar, 2002 Hong KongBar, 2004 Hong Kong Inner Bar, 2018

Vice Chairman, Hong Kong Bar Association, 2022 Committee member, The Hong Kong Bar Association Standing Committee on Barristers Qualification Examination, since 2018 Member, Appeal Panel (Housing), since 2017 Adjudicator of the Registration of Persons Tribunal, 2016 - 2022 Committee member, The Hong Kong Bar Association Standing Committee on Bar Scholarship, since 2016 Committee member, The Hong Kong Bar Association Committee on Financial and Securities Law, 2016 - 2021 Committee member, The Hong Kong Bar Association Standing Committee on Code of Conduct, since 2016 Member, Barristers Disciplinary Tribunal Panel, 2015-2018 Committee member, The Hong Kong Bar Association Special Committee on Greater China Affairs, 2010 - 2020 Committee member, The Hong Kong Bar Association Committee on Criminal Law and Procedure, 2005-2016 Council member, The Bar Council of the Hong Kong Bar Association, 2014 Committee member, The Law Reform Commission of Hong Kong Double Jeopardy Sub-committee, 2007-2012 Vice-chairman, The Hong Kong Bar Association Young Barristers’ Committee, 2006-2009

BComm/LLB (Auckland)