Azan Marwah (with Nigel Kat KC and Nicklaus Pannu-Yuon) continues to appear in the private prosecution proceedings involving journalist Selina Cheng and her claim against Dow Jones & Company, the publisher of The Wall Street Journal.

The case concerns allegations that Ms Cheng was dismissed because of her role as chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association. Dow Jones denies the allegation and has pleaded not guilty to the charge under Hong Kong’s Employment Ordinance relating to the dismissal of an employee for trade union participation.

On Monday (9 March), the court rejected an application by Dow Jones to strike out the case, allowing the prosecution to proceed. The proceedings therefore continue in Eastern Magistrates' Courts.

On Thursday (12 June), Principal Magistrate David Cheung ruled that an audio recording of a conversation between Ms Cheng and her supervisor, previously submitted by the prosecution, could be admitted into evidence. The court also ruled that there was a case to answer.

Later that day, the defence called the Vice President of People for EMEA and APAC of the Wall Street Journal’s parent company to give evidence. She testified that the company had decided in early 2024 to relocate its Asian headquarters from Hong Kong to Singapore and had carried out a series of redundancies, and that Ms Cheng was one of the employees made redundant. She also stated that no disciplinary action had been taken against Ms Cheng.

On Friday (13 March), the trial entered its 11th day. After the defence concluded its evidence, Principal Magistrate David Cheung adjourned the case to 27 July 2026 for closing submissions.

Media coverage:

• https://hongkongfp.com/2026/03/09/hong-kong-court-rejects-wall-street-journals-bid-to-throw-out-wrongful-dismissal-suit/

• https://hongkongfp.com/2026/03/13/records-show-reporter-selina-cheng-was-let-go-from-wsj-due-to-redundancy-hr-exec-says-in-unlawful-dismissal-suit/

For more information about Azan, please visit here.