Hong Kong solicitors fighting for seats on Law Society council offer competing visions for body’s future
- Two groups are fielding candidates for five seats on the governing body in polarised Thursday election
- Liberal camp says the organisation should be more vocal, while more conservative side argues for professionalism and political neutrality
More than 10,000 lawyers in Hong Kong will on Thursday vote for candidates seeking seats on the Law Society’s council in an election that could determine the stance the professional body takes on legal matters at a time of unprecedented uncertainty over the city’s future.
The five seats are being contested by two groups – one consisting of solicitors who want the organisation to be more vocal, and the other arguing for its political neutrality and professionalism.
But in recent months some solicitors have complained their body has failed to react quickly enough on legal matters concerning the public. Others worry taking any further steps could risk politicising what is meant to be a strictly professional body.
“Over the past year, the city’s rule of law has sparked a debate,” said solicitor Vannie Lau Wing-ning. She wants the Law Society to take a firmer stand on whether police used excessive force during the protests, and speak out on the need for a commission of inquiry, which the government rejected as unnecessary.
