Hong Kong barrister Gerard McCoy, who liked a challenge and defended dissidents and murderers, dies aged 63
- Milkshake murderer Nancy Kissel, British banker Rurik Jutting, and yoga ball killer Khaw Kim Sun all among McCoy’s clients
- But New Zealand native was also constitutional law expert and well known for human rights cases, defending Occupy ringleaders and others
Dr Gerard McCoy, a prolific barrister and constitutional law expert who defended political activists as well as some of Hong Kong’s most notorious killers, has died aged 63.
A senior counsel since 1997, he was one of the very few barristers in Hong Kong who was equally at home in civil and criminal courts, and was described by close friends and colleagues as the city’s “best legal brain”.
Gilt Chambers, which McCoy co-founded, confirmed in a statement on Thursday that the New Zealand native – who had been undergoing treatment for leukaemia – died peacefully on Tuesday in Queen Mary Hospital, and his family were by his side in his last moments.
“He loved his family. He loved Hong Kong. He loved the law. He hoped and believed the law would make Hong Kong a better place. Hong Kong and Gilt Chambers will not see his like again,” the statement read.
He is survived by his wife, Sze Siu-wai McCoy, daughter Zoe, a barrister pupil, and son Kim, a practising barrister and McCoy’s occasional partner in court.
