Senior barrister loses anonymity bid in 2017 indecent assault case

A 32-year-old barrister, Simon So, will no longer be referred to anonymously in court after a magistrate ruled there is no real risk of the complainant’s identity being revealed.

So, 32, faces two counts of indecent assault allegedly committed on 30 August 2017 in a flat at Rockson Mansion, Water Street, Sai Ying Pun, against a person referred to as X.

Su had earlier been allowed to use the code “A” to protect X’s identity, arguing that his full name could enable people to piece together and identify the complainant.

He also clarified he was neither a pupil nor a qualified barrister at the time and had no master-pupil relationship with X.

At today’s hearing in Eastern Magistrates’ Court, the prosecution opposed the anonymity, stating the two were not in a teacher-student relationship, ordinary people would not link them, and X had indicated no need for So to remain anonymous.

The prosecution also raised public interest in protecting future law students, but the magistrate called this concern too remote.

After hearing arguments, Principal Magistrate David Cheung Chi-wai concluded there is no substantial risk of X’s identity being disclosed.

He therefore lifted the anonymity order for the defendant.

The court maintains a strict publication ban on any information that could identify X, including name, gender, photo, school or occupation.

The case is adjourned to February 13 for the defense to obtain documents. Su remains on bail.