Hong Kong Bar Association

{{Short description|Regulatory body for barristers in Hong Kong}} {{Use Hong Kong English|date=May 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}

{{Infobox organization | name = Hong Kong Bar Association | native_name = 香港大律師公會 | native_name_lang = yue-HK | image = File:Logo of the Hong Kong Bar Association.jpeg | formation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1948|3|12}} | status = Society under the Societies Ordinance | headquarters = LG2, [[High Court (Hong Kong)|High Court]], 38 [[Queensway (Hong Kong)|Queensway]], [[Hong Kong]] | region_served = Hong Kong | leader_title = Chairman | leader_name = [[Jose-Antonio Maurellet]] | budget = | website = {{URL|hkba.org}} }} {{Chinese | order = ts | t = 香港大律師公會 | s = 香港大律师公会 | y = Hēung góng daaih leuht sī gūng wúi | j = Hoeng1 gong2 daai6 loet6 si1 gung1 wui2 | p = Xiānggǎng Dàlǜshī Gōnghuì }}

The '''Hong Kong Bar Association''' (HKBA) is the professional regulatory body for [[barristers]] in Hong Kong. The [[Law Society of Hong Kong]] is the equivalent association for [[solicitors]] in Hong Kong.

[[Jose-Antonio Maurellet]] is the current chairman of the Council of the HKBA.

==History==

[[File:HKBA formed 1948.png|thumb|left|Advertisement announcing the formation of the Hong Kong Bar Association in March 1948]]

According to its website, the Hong Kong Bar Association was founded in 1949.<ref name=":2">[http://www.hkba.org/content/about-us Website of the HKBA]</ref> However, a newspaper advertisement from March 1948 records the foundation of the association on 12 March 1948 with Mr Eldon Potter KC being elected President, Mr H.D. Sheldon KC being elected chairman and Mr [[Percy Chen]] being elected Secretary Treasurer. The offices of the Association were located in the offices of Mr Chen in [[Prince's Building, Hong Kong]].<ref>Advertisement in the South China Morning Post, 21 March 1948, p12</ref>

==Role==

The objects of the Hong Kong Bar Association are generally to consider and to take proper action on all matters affecting the legal profession and the administration of justice. These include:

* the maintenance of the honour and independence of the Bar; * the improvement of the administration of justice in Hong Kong; * the prescribing of rules of professional conduct, discipline and etiquette; * furtherance of good relations and understanding within the legal profession.

Like other [[professional bodies]], the HKBA has the authority to take disciplinary action to the members who breach the [[Code of Conduct]] of the Association. [[The Law Society of Hong Kong]] is the equivalent association for solicitors in Hong Kong.

The Director of Administration and Development of the Hong Kong Bar Association is Ms. Susie HO, according to a document from the Hong Kong Legislative Council. The Hong Kong Bar Association (HKBA) is served by a secretariat headed by an Administrator, currently Ms. Dora Chan, according to a LAWASIA report.

==Route to entry==

[[File:HKBA in 1964.png|thumb|List of members of the Hong Kong Bar Association in 1964]]

Students must first complete a '''basic degree in law''', such as the [[Bachelor of Laws]] (LLB), [[Juris Doctor]] (JD) or convert from another first degree with the [[Common Professional Examination]] (CPE).

They must then complete the '''[[Postgraduate Certificate in Laws]]''' (PCLL) at [[The University of Hong Kong]], the [[City University of Hong Kong]] or [[The Chinese University of Hong Kong]]. From 2008 onwards, all overseas applicants to the PCLL must satisfy each element of the PCLL conversion programme.

After finishing PCLL, prospective barristers will enter [[pupillage]] with a [[pupilmaster]] for a year; after half a year they will gain [[rights of audience]] in court.

'''Overseas barristers''' may, having at least three years' experience, take the Barristers Qualification Examination to officially become a Hong Kong barrister.<ref>[http://www.hkba.org/content/becoming-barristers/general-admission HKBA website on general admission]</ref>

Additionally, Hong Kong qualified solicitors of at least three years' qualified experience may apply to be admitted as a barrister. However, one may not be both a barrister and solicitor at the same time and are required to remove themselves from the roll of solicitors before admission as a barrister. For example, the No. 1 ranked barrister in seniority in 2007, Sir [[John Swaine]] SC, switched to become a solicitor in 2002, but switched back in 2004. Solicitors seeking to qualify as barrister are required to do pupillage, however, the period may be shortened for those with substantial advocacy experience.<ref>[http://www.hklii.hk/eng/hk/legis/reg/159AC/s16.html S.16 Barristers (Qualification for Admission and Pupillage) Rules]</ref>

==Number of practising barristers==

As of February 2025, there were 108 [[Senior Counsel]] (92 male, 16 female), and 1,612 (1,110 male, 511 female) junior barristers in practice at the private bar in Hong Kong.<ref>[https://www.hkba.org/Bar-List HKBA Bar List]. Government lawyers with the Department of Justice are not required to hold practising certificates through the HKBA, so the actual numbers in practice is higher than these. See: Ss.3 and 4 of the [http://www.hklii.hk/eng/hk/legis/ord/87/ Legal Officers Ordinance]</ref> There were 77 [[pupillage|pupil barristers]] of whom 34 were male and 43 female.<ref>[https://www.hkba.org/Bar-List/pupils HKBA Bar List for pupils]</ref>

==Senior Counsel==

After gaining ten years' experience as a [[barrister]] or government counsel in Hong Kong, a [[barrister]] admitted in Hong Kong may apply to become a [[Senior Counsel]] (SC) (資深大律師).<ref>[http://www.hklii.hk/eng/hk/legis/ord/159/s31a.html S.31A, Legal Practitioners Ordinance]</ref> Time in practice as a barrister or lawyer in another jurisdiction or as a solicitor in private practice in Hong Kong does not count.<ref>Time in practice as a solicitor as Hong Kong government counsel does count</ref> The [[Law Society of Hong Kong]] has called for this to be changed, so that solicitors may also be appointed Senior Counsel.<ref>[https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1705548/hong-kong-law-society-president-seeks-senior-counsel-status Hong Kong Law Society president seeks senior counsel status for solicitors] South China Morning Post, 7 February 2015</ref>

In [[colonial Hong Kong]] up until the handover on 1 July, [[Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong|1997]], the title was instead [[King's Counsel]] or [[Queen's Counsel]] (QC) (御用大律師). After the transfer of sovereignty, [[Queen's Counsel]] who had been appointed QC in HK or British Queen's Counsel who had been admitted to practice in Hong Kong generally prior to the handover became [[Senior Counsel]] automatically.<ref>See the savings and transitional provisions contained in s. 2 of Schedule 2 to Ordinance No. 94 of 1997</ref>

==List of chairpersons==

{| class="wikitable" |+ ! !Portrait ! colspan="2" |Chairman !Chinese !Year !Notes |- |1 | |[[Harold Sheldon]] |{{Post-nominals|KC}} | |1948 1949 |[[Eldon Potter]], KC as President in 1948 |- |2 |[[File:Charles Loseby.jpg|frameless|115x115px]] |[[Charles Edgar Loseby|Charles Loseby]] |{{Post-nominals|KC}} | |1950 | |- |3 | |[[Leo d'Almada e Castro]] |{{Post-nominals|KC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|廖亞利孖打}} |1951 | |- |4 |[[File:John McNeill, British Crown Advocate for China.png|frameless|106x106px]] |[[John McNeill (lawyer)|John McNeill]] |{{Post-nominals|KC}}/{{Post-nominals|QC}} | |1952 | |- |(2) |[[File:Charles Loseby.jpg|frameless|115x115px]] |[[Charles Edgar Loseby|''Charles Loseby'']] |{{Post-nominals|QC}} | |1953 | |- |(3) | |''[[Leo d'Almada e Castro]]'' |{{Post-nominals|QC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|廖亞利孖打}} |1954 | |- |(4) |[[File:John McNeill, British Crown Advocate for China.png|frameless|106x106px]] |''[[John McNeill (lawyer)|John McNeill]]'' |{{Post-nominals|QC}} | |1955 1956 | |- |(3) | |''[[Leo d'Almada e Castro]]'' |{{Post-nominals|QC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|廖亞利孖打}} |1957 | |- |(4) |[[File:John McNeill, British Crown Advocate for China.png|frameless|106x106px]] |''[[John McNeill (lawyer)|John McNeill]]'' |{{Post-nominals|QC}} | |1958 | |- |(3) | |''[[Leo d'Almada e Castro]]'' |{{Post-nominals|QC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|廖亞利孖打}} |1959 | |- |5 |[[File:Lo Hin Shing (cropped).jpg|frameless|120x120px]] |[[Lo Hin-shing]] | |{{lang|yue-HK|羅顯勝}} |1960 | |- |(3) | |''[[Leo d'Almada e Castro]]'' |{{Post-nominals|QC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|廖亞利孖打}} |1961 1962 | |- |6 | |[[Brook Bernacchi]] |{{Post-nominals|QC}} |貝納祺 |1963 | |- |7 | |[[S.V. Gittins]] | | |1964 1965 | |- |8 |[[File:OV Cheung.JPG|frameless|114x114px]] |[[Oswald Cheung]] |{{Post-nominals|QC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|張奧偉}} |1966 | |- |(7) | |''[[S.V. Gittins]]'' |{{Post-nominals|QC}} | |1967 | |- |9 | |[[Gerald de Basto]] |{{Post-nominals|QC}} | |1968 1969 1970 | |- |10 | |[[Henry Litton]] |{{Post-nominals|QC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|烈顯倫}} |1971 1972 | |- |(9) | |''[[Gerald de Basto]]'' |{{Post-nominals|QC}} | |1973 | |- |11 | |[[Archie Zimmern]] |{{Post-nominals|QC}} | |1974 | |- |12 | |[[Charles Ching]] |{{Post-nominals|QC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|沈澄}} |1975 1976 | |- |(10) | |''[[Henry Litton]]'' |{{Post-nominals|QC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|烈顯倫}} |1977 1978 1979 | |- |13 |[[File:Martin-lee-campaign2004.JPG|frameless|112x112px]] |[[Martin Lee|Martin Lee Chu-ming]] |{{Post-nominals|QC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|李柱銘}} |1980 1981 1982 | |- |(10) | |''[[Henry Litton]]'' |{{Post-nominals|QC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|烈顯倫}} |1983 1984 | |- |14 | |[[Denis Chang|Denis Chang Khen-lee]] |{{Post-nominals|QC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|張健利}} |1985 1986 1987 | |- |15 | |[[Robert Tang (judge)|Robert Tang Ching]] |{{Post-nominals|QC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|鄧楨}} |1988 1989 | |- |16 | |[[Anthony Rogers (lawyer)|Anthony Rogers]] |{{Post-nominals|QC}} | |1990 1991 | |- |17 | |[[Jacqueline Leong]] |{{Post-nominals|QC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|梁冰濂}} |1992 1993 | |- |18 | |[[Ronny Wong]] Fook-hum |{{Post-nominals|QC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|黃福鑫}} |1994 | |- |19 |[[File:Gladys Li (cropped).jpg|frameless|120x120px]] |[[Gladys Li|Gladys Li Chi-hei]] |{{Post-nominals|QC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|李志喜}} |1995 1996 | |- |20 |[[File:Audrey thanking her supporters.jpg|frameless|120x120px]] |[[Audrey Eu|Audrey Eu Yuet-mee]] |{{Post-nominals|QC}}/{{Post-nominals|country=HKG|SC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|余若薇}} |1997 1998 | |- |21 |[[File:Ronny Tong Enlarged.jpg|frameless|120x120px]] |[[Ronny Tong|Ronny Tong Ka-wah]] |{{Post-nominals|country=HKG|SC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|湯家驊}} |1999 2000 | |- |22 |[[File:Alan Leong.jpg|frameless|129x129px]] |[[Alan Leong]] |{{Post-nominals|country=HKG|SC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|梁家傑}} |2001 2002 | |- |23 | |Edward Chan King-sang |{{Post-nominals|country=HKG|SC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|陳景生}} |2003 2004 | |- |24 |[[File:Philip Dykes 20200113 (cropped).jpg|frameless|120x120px]] |[[Philip Dykes]] |{{Post-nominals|QC}}/{{Post-nominals|country=HKG|SC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|戴啟思}} |2005 2006 | |- |25 |[[File:律政司司長袁國強19.jpg|frameless|120x120px]] |[[Rimsky Yuen|Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung]] |{{Post-nominals|country=HKG|SC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|袁國強}} |2007 2008 | |- |26 | |[[Russell Coleman (British lawyer)|Russell Coleman]] |{{Post-nominals|country=HKG|SC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|高浩文}} |2009 2010 | |- |27 | |[[Kumar Ramanathan]] |{{Post-nominals|country=HKG|SC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|林孟達}} |2011 2012 | |- |28 | |[[Paul Shieh Wing-tai]] |{{Post-nominals|country=HKG|SC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|石永泰}} |2013 2014 | |- |29 | |[[Winnie Tam]] |{{Post-nominals|country=HKG|SC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|譚允芝}} |2015 2016 | |- |30 |[[File:Paul Lam 2023.jpg|frameless|120x120px]] |[[Paul Lam|Paul Lam Ting-kwok]] |{{Post-nominals|country=HKG|SC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|林定國}} |2017 | |- |(24) |[[File:Philip Dykes 20200113 (cropped).jpg|frameless|120x120px]] |''[[Philip Dykes]]'' |{{Post-nominals|QC}}/{{Post-nominals|country=HKG|SC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|戴啟思}} |2018 2019 2020 | |- |31 | |[[Paul Harris (lawyer)|Paul Harris]] |{{Post-nominals|country=HKG|SC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|夏博義}} |2021 | |- |32 | |[[Victor Dawes]] |{{Post-nominals|country=HKG|SC}} |{{lang|yue-HK|杜淦堃}} |2022 2023 2024 | |- |33 | |[[Jose-Antonio Maurellet]] |{{Post-nominals|country=HKG|SC}} |毛樂禮 |2025 2026 | |}

== Notable cases and statements ==

=== Input in the 2010 Hong Kong electoral reform ===

The Bar reiterated their call for the abolition of functional constituencies as being non-compliant with international law – Article 25(b) of the [[International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights]] and Article 21 of the Bill of Rights. They urged the government to put forward a revised consultation document with more progressive proposals, a clear road map on the way forward, and a commitment to abolish functional constituencies.<ref>20 February 2010, "Political Reform: Views On The Big Issue", South China Morning Post</ref> The Bar Association said that corporate or directors' voting was also incompatible with international law; they said the failure to comply is not mitigated by replacing corporate voting by an authorised representative with voting by directors, executives, member associations, individual members. <ref>20 February 2010, "Political Reform: Views On The Big Issue", South China Morning Post</ref>

=== Comments on Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link Co-location arrangement ===

The Bar Association criticised the arrangement for distortion of the Basic Law, stating it damages the rule of law in Hong Kong as Article 18 was clearly written and leaves no room for any interpretation which would allow Chinese law to apply in any certain part of HKSAR.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ng|first=Ellie|url=https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/12/28/beijings-distortion-hong-kong-basic-law-greatly-undermines-rule-law-legal-experts-warn/|title=Beijing's 'distortion' of Hong Kong Basic Law greatly undermines rule of law, legal experts warn|work=Hong Kong Free Press|orig-date= 2017-12-28|date=2020-03-31|access-date=2018-03-22}}</ref> [[Carrie Lam]] defended the arrangement and responded by stating that "some Hong Kong legal professionals have an elitist mentality or double standards, that is, they think that Hong Kong’s legal system is supreme, and that the mainland legal system – a big country with a 1.3 billion population – is wrong." Her statement prompted widespread disbelief in Hong Kong. <ref>{{cite news|last=Ng|first=Ellie|url=https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/01/02/rule-without-law-hong-kong-lawyers-hit-back-leader-carrie-lam-attacks-elitist-mentality/|title='Rule without law': Hong Kong lawyers hit back as leader Carrie Lam attacks 'elitist mentality'|work=Hong Kong Free Press|date=2018-01-02|access-date=2018-03-22|archive-date=2018-01-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110054540/https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/01/02/rule-without-law-hong-kong-lawyers-hit-back-leader-carrie-lam-attacks-elitist-mentality/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Concerns about Hong Kong's National Security Law ===

The association was quoted saying it was "gravely concerned with both the contents of the [national security law] and the manner of its introduction." The statement noted that the law was enacted in a way that prevented the city's lawyers, judges, police and residents from understanding its contents in any way prior to its coming into force.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 July 2020|title=China's security law upends freewheeling Hong Kong's legal landscape|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-hongkong-security-legal/from-renditions-to-closed-door-trials-chinas-security-law-upends-hong-kong-legal-landscape-idUSKBN2425JJ|access-date=2 July 2020|work=Reuters|archive-date=2 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702003831/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-hongkong-security-legal/from-renditions-to-closed-door-trials-chinas-security-law-upends-hong-kong-legal-landscape-idUSKBN2425JJ|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1 July 2020|title=Statement of the Hong Kong Bar Association on the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region|url=https://www.hkba.org/sites/default/files/20200701%20HKBA%20statement%20on%20Safeguarding%20National%20%20Security%20in%20HKSAR.pdf|access-date=2 July 2020|website=Hong Kong Bar Association|archive-date=2 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702062008/https://www.hkba.org/sites/default/files/20200701%20HKBA%20statement%20on%20Safeguarding%20National%20%20Security%20in%20HKSAR.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Admission of overseas counsel for Jimmy Lai ===

In September 2022, the HKBA (along with the Secretary for Justice) opposed an application by [[Jimmy Lai]] to hire a [[King's Counsel|King’s Counsel]] in the UK to represent him [[Apple Daily raids and arrests|in his trial]] in Hong Kong, stating that "the well established criteria for admitting overseas counsel on an ad hoc basis are not met."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chau |first=Candice |date=2022-09-30 |title=Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai's bid to hire UK lawyer for national security case opposed by justice minister |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2022/09/30/hong-kong-media-tycoon-jimmy-lais-bid-to-hire-uk-lawyer-for-national-security-case-opposed-by-justice-minister/ |access-date=2022-10-01 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In November 2022, after the [[Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal]] ruled to allow [[Tim Owen (barrister)|Tim Owen]] KC to be admitted as an overseas counsel on an ''ad hoc'' basis, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, [[John Lee Ka-chiu|John Lee]], made a request to the [[Standing Committee of the National People's Congress|NPCSC]] for an interpretation of the [[2020 Hong Kong national security law|national security law]] over whether overseas counsel are allowed to take part in national security cases.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Govt seeks interpretation of national security law - RTHK |url=https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1677556-20221128.htm? |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=news.rthk.hk |language=en-gb}}</ref>

The former HKBA chairman [[Victor Dawes]], SC said at a media briefing that "the national security law is a relatively new piece of legislation and we hope that any ambiguity can be clarified by our courts in the future and the power to interpret… be exercised sparingly" whilst noting that "I do understand the government's position and the reasoning given by the chief executive."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2022-11-29 |title=Hong Kong's justice department to seek adjournment of Jimmy Lai trial on Tuesday |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3201361/jimmy-lais-national-security-trial-hong-kong-justice-department-seek-case-adjournment-tuesday-amid |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Too early to comment on interpretation impact: Bar - RTHK |url=https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1677639-20221129.htm? |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=news.rthk.hk |language=en-gb}}</ref> He dismissed suggestions that disallowing overseas barristers in national security cases would undermine defendants' rights and freedom in legal representation, saying there are sufficient lawyers in the city to handle such cases.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-29 |title=Beijing may identify pool of Hong Kong lawyers to handle national security cases |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3201361/jimmy-lais-national-security-trial-hong-kong-justice-department-seek-case-adjournment-tuesday-amid |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref> Referring to Lai's case, Dawes claimed that an overseas lawyer would not contribute much.<ref name=":1" /> Dawes also said that the incident would not damage Hong Kong's judicial independence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=陈子琰 |title=HK DOJ seeks to delay trial of Apple Daily boss |url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202211/30/WS6386a937a31057c47eba1cac.html |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=www.chinadaily.com.cn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NPCSC interpretation 'won't affect HK judicial independence' |url=https://s.chinadailyhk.com/IB7VZr |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=chinadailyhk |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Chau |first=Candice |title=Beijing's power to interpret the national security law should be used 'sparingly,' says top Hong Kong lawyer - Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2022/11/29/beijings-power-to-interpret-the-national-security-law-should-be-used-sparingly-says-top-hong-kong-lawyer/ |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=hongkongfp.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Tanya Chan ===

In April 2023, the HKBA censured former barrister and Legislative Council member [[Tanya Chan]] over her involvement in the [[Umbrella Movement]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mok |first=Lea |date=2023-04-25 |title=Hong Kong Bar Assoc. censures ex-lawmaker Tanya Chan over Umbrella Movement involvement |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2023/04/25/hong-kong-bar-assoc-censures-ex-lawmaker-tanya-chan-over-umbrella-movement-involvement/ |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}}</ref> The complainant was anonymous.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hamlett |first=Tim |date=2023-05-04 |title=The Hong Kong Bar Association's endangered reputation, and the seven-year itch |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2023/05/04/the-hong-kong-bar-associations-endangered-reputation-and-the-seven-year-itch/ |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== National security law judges ===

In May 2023, the HKBA expressed "grave concerns" over the US [[Congressional-Executive Commission on China]], which asked for [[Hong Kong national security judges|judges in national security cases]] to be sanctioned. The HKBA said "The Bar stresses once again that there is no basis at all to call into question the integrity and independence of Hong Kong judges..." and that calls to do so "must be sternly deplored and condemned."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ho |first=Kelly |date=2023-05-15 |title=US lawmakers urge sanctions on Hong Kong judges, as city gov't decries 'shameless, sinister, malicious' interference |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2023/05/15/us-lawmakers-urge-sanctions-on-hong-kong-judges-as-city-govt-decries-shameless-sinister-malicious-interference/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Resignations of foreign judges ===

In June 2024, after two foreign judges on the Court of Final Appeal resigned, the HKBA said "the Bar strongly believes that their resignations will not affect the ability of our apex court in discharging its judicial functions and has every confidence in the independence of our judicial system."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grundy |first=Tom |date=2024-06-07 |title=HK backs independence of judiciary after 2 UK judges quit top court |url=http://hongkongfp.com/2024/06/07/govt-and-legal-bodies-back-hong-kongs-judicial-independence-after-2-uk-judges-quit-top-court/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}}</ref> In contrast, one of the judges who resigned said that judges' freedoms had been "severely limited" and that "The rule of law is profoundly compromised in any area about which the government feels strongly."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grundy |first=Tom |date=2024-06-10 |title=HK 'slowly becoming a totalitarian state,' says ex-top court judge |url=http://hongkongfp.com/2024/06/10/lord-sumption-hong-kong-slowly-becoming-a-totalitarian-state-says-top-uk-judge-who-quit-citys-top-court/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==See also==

* [[Law Society of Hong Kong]] * [[Bar association]] * [[Bar council]] * [[Postgraduate Certificate in Laws]]

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links ==

*[http://www.hkba.org Hong Kong Bar Association] Official homepage *[https://web.archive.org/web/20050404003607/http://www.hkba.org/the-bar/code-of-conduct/code-of-conduct.html Code of Conduct of the Hong Kong Bar]

[[Category:Law of Hong Kong|Bar Association]] [[Category:Bar associations of Asia]] [[Category:1949 establishments in Hong Kong]] [[Category:Professional associations based in Hong Kong]] [[Category:Barristers of Hong Kong]] [[Category:Organizations established in 1949]]