Lawrence Lau Wai-chung (劉偉聰) is a barrister and former Sham Shui Po District Councillor who was prosecuted in the Hong Kong 47 national-security case but ultimately acquitted.
Arrest and charge
Lau was arrested on January 6, 2021 in the mass national-security operation targeting participants in the July 2020 unofficial democratic primary and was formally charged on February 28, 2021 with conspiracy to commit subversion.
Acquittal
On May 30, 2024, the trial court acquitted Lau. The Department of Justice later appealed his acquittal.
Appeal outcome and current status
On February 23, 2026, the Court of Appeal rejected the government’s appeal against Lau’s acquittal. He is therefore classified here as an acquitted Hong Kong 47 defendant, not as a current or former political prisoner on the basis of this case.
Media & archive
Reuters appeal report · SCMP trial verdict report · FCM Hong Kong 47 archive · Hong Kong case hub
Last status review: September 13, 2026.