The Standards Committee (the Committee) sought an interim suspension order in respect of Mr Wong after laying a charge of misconduct alleging Mr Wong engaged in multiple instances of deceit to mislead his client.

The matter originates from a complaint made by a former client of Mr Wong, who engaged Mr Wong to act debt recovery proceedings. The Committee alleged Mr Wong deceived his client by consistently lying about the progression of the matter. In an effort to corroborate his deception, he fabricated District Court and High Court CIV numbers, opposing counsel’s written submissions and judicial minutes and provided these to his former client. Mr Wong then rendered dishonest fee invoices with false narrations about court proceedings that never took place and disbursements for filing fees when there was no filing. He then blamed court staff and “the court system” in further efforts to cover up his deceit. Mr Wong did not oppose the interim suspension order.

The Tribunal considered the alleged wrongdoing “occurred over an extensive period of time, involved many acts including deliberate manufacturing of false documents”. It considered that Mr Wong’s deceit to his client is fairly termed as “egregious” and noted, “On an assessment of his character as evidenced by the material currently available, we find that Mr Wong cannot be trusted to behave in an honest manner consonant with his duties to client or court.” The Tribunal found it necessary and desirable having regard to the interests of the public to make an interim order suspending Mr Wong from practice as a barrister and solicitor, pending further order, or the determination and disposition of the charges.