Hong Kong, 19 November 2025: Acclaimed financial crime specialist Ian Winter KC kept a large audience enthralled in delivering the seventh annual HKU-Boase Cohen & Collins Criminal Law Lecture. His talk – entitled “Conspiracy to Defraud: Deceased or Only Wounded?” – offered a forensic analysis of how the offence has evolved over many centuries of common law and why it continues to stir debate.
Speaking in the Philip KH Wong Theatre at the University of Hong Kong, Ian examined recent judgments given in the Supreme Court of England and Wales and in Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal, pointing out there now appears to be a “divergence” between the two jurisdictions in relation to conspiracy to defraud. Hence the title of his talk.
The lecture – attended by law students, academics, leading figures in the legal profession and members of the public – was followed by a Q&A session with the audience, moderated by Professor Simon Young from HKU’s Faculty of Law, after which speaker and guests attended a drinks reception.
The event was a key part of Boase Cohen & Collins’ 40th anniversary celebrations and Senior Partner Colin Cohen, who opened proceedings with a brief welcome speech, hailed it as a major success. “Ian’s status as a world-renowned financial crime expert is unquestioned and we are grateful to him for providing such an engrossing and authoritative lecture. His analysis certainly gave the audience – especially the countless law students who attended – plenty to consider,” said Colin.
A member of Cloth Fair Chambers in London, Ian is firmly established as one of the leading silks at the Bar – a focused, highly sought-after criminal specialist with a particular emphasis on fraud and financial crime. Recently nominated for the Legal 500 Financial Crime Silk of the Year, he is regularly instructed to represent companies and individuals involved in cases brought across numerous jurisdictions. He regularly appears in Hong Kong and has featured in many of the leading cases over the last 15 years.
Ian’s busy week in Hong Kong included a “fireside chat” with Colin before a select audience over dinner at the China Club and an informal workshop with HKU Faculty of Law staff.
The first four editions of the Criminal Law Lecture were delivered by KCs Clare Montgomery, Edward Fitzgerald CBE, Geoffrey Robertson and the former Director of Public Prosecutions Lord Ken Macdonald. They were followed by Hong Kong’s former Chief Justice, the Honourable Geoffrey Ma, and former Justice of Appeal Ian McWalters.
BC&C Managing Partner Alex Liu adds: “Criminal law has been integral to our firm since we were established in 1985. The annual lecture underscores our commitment to this key practice area and we have been fortunate over the years to attract speakers of tremendous international repute. Ian is the latest such and our sincere thanks go to him for his fascinating presentation.”
