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Jimmy Lai trial
Hong KongLaw and Crime

Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai’s legal team joined by ‘specialist’ New Zealand lawyer seen as replacement for barred Briton Timothy Owen

  • Court allows Marc Corlett’s participation after prosecution raised no objections to him being on Jimmy Lai’s legal team
  • New Zealander, who acted for the defence in a media-related sedition trial in Fiji in 2016, is widely seen as replacement for British barrister Timothy Owen

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Jimmy Lai’s lawyers, Robert Pang (second right) and Marc Corlett, arrive at West Kowloon Court on Tuesday. Photo: Yik Yeung-man
Edith Lin,Brian WongandJess Ma
A New Zealand lawyer with experience handling a sedition case abroad has joined the legal team of media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, the latest addition to his party after the government banned a British barrister from being involved in the mogul’s national security trial.

Marc Corlett, who became eligible to practise in the city in June 2020, on Tuesday walked alongside Lai’s leading counsel, Robert Pang Yiu-hung SC, as they entered West Kowloon Court, the venue for Lai’s 80-day trial.

The court allowed Corlett’s participation after the prosecution raised no objections to him being on Lai’s team.

A prison van carrying Jimmy Lai arrives at West Kowloon Court on Tuesday. Photo: Yik Yeung-man
A prison van carrying Jimmy Lai arrives at West Kowloon Court on Tuesday. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Corlett’s profile on Bernacchi Chambers’ website described him as a “specialist trial lawyer” who had appeared as counsel in more than 180 cases, including criminal trials for both prosecution and defence, while also taking up ones involving complex issues arising from civil and criminal proceedings.

The New Zealander had practised in his home country since 1992 and was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 2016.

He acted for the defence in a media-related sedition trial in Fiji in 2016. The case involved the newspaper Fiji Times, its senior officials and writers, who were acquitted of sedition charges in 2018.

Lai, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily tabloid newspaper, is facing three conspiracy charges relating to sedition and collusion with foreign forces for allegedly drawing international sanctions against authorities and inciting public hatred in the wake of anti-government protests in 2019.
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