Hong Kong Case Law: Decisions & Judgments | LexChat

Hong Kong Case Law

Aider and abettor liability
  • 18 Jan 1991

    THE QUEEN v. WONG POON WAI AND OTHERS

    Citation
    THE QUEEN v. WONG POON WAI AND OTHERS
    Court
    Court of First Instance
    Case number
    HCMA1566/1990

    Section 17(3B) of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, read with section 46 and the regulatory scheme, creates a strict liability offence in respect of the sale of liquor; persons who actually conduct a sale may be guilty as principals without proof of mens rea, while secondary parties (aiders and abettors) remain subject to the normal mens rea requirement; there was a prima facie case against the appellants and the matter is remitted to the Magistrate to allow the appellants to reopen their defences and for the Magistrate to determine who conducted the sale and the applicability of any licenc…