1. Can an owner steal his property?

Under Hong Kong law, theft requires the dishonest appropriation of property belonging to another. That means an owner cannot normally “steal” their own property. However, an owner can steal his own property if it has been handed into the lawful possession and control of someone else. For example, if a person handed over a car to a repairman and then took the car without payment or without the repairman’s permission, that could constitute theft. Similarly, company assets belong to the company (a separate legal person), so a director or shareholder who dishonestly takes them can commit theft. The same applies to jointly owned property – one co‑owner can steal from another if they dishonestly appropriate it.