HKBA attends legal year openings in Singapore and Malaysia, focusing on AI challenges

Senior representatives from the Hong Kong Bar Association (HKBA) joined the Opening of the Legal Year 2026 ceremonies in Singapore and Malaysia over the weekend, engaging in regional discussions on artificial intelligence’s impact on the legal profession and ways to strengthen cross-border cooperation.

Hong Kong Bar Association Chairman Jose Maurellet SC and Vice-Chairman Eva Sit SC participated in Singapore’s two-day Opening of the Legal Year 2026 program on 11-12 January. 

The main ceremony at the Supreme Court featured addresses by the Chief Justice, Attorney General, and President of The Law Society of Singapore, highlighting the rule of law and enhanced regional legal ties.

In the afternoon, Eva Sit spoke at a roundtable on talent retention and skills gaps, describing AI as the biggest recent disruption to the legal industry. 

She noted AI’s potential to improve efficiency and access to justice, while stressing the continued importance of human judgment, advocacy, and ethical reasoning.

The session gathered leaders, including Roden Tong, President of The Law Society of Hong Kong; Ryan Soo, Vice President of the Sabah Law Society; and Nitin Thakker, Senior Member Executive of the Bar Association of India and President of the Bombay Bar Association. It was moderated by Dinesh Dhillon, Vice President of The Law Society of Singapore.

Maurellet emphasized the need for ongoing frank regional dialogue on shared issues and said the HKBA will continue deepening long-standing ties with the Law Society of Singapore for future collaboration.

Separately, HKBA Vice-Chairman Martin Hui SC and Honorary Secretary and Treasurer Eugene Yim attended Malaysia’s Opening of the Legal Year 2026 on the same dates. 

The program included side events by the Malaysian Bar and an official ceremony with speeches from leading Malaysian judges.

At the Bar Leaders’ Roundtable, discussions focused on emerging legal topics, particularly AI’s transformative effects and the need for appropriate governance frameworks.

Hui highlighted the value of cross-jurisdictional exchanges in tackling common challenges posed by AI. 

Yim noted the HKBA’s longstanding relationship with the Malaysian legal community and expressed commitment to further strengthening collaboration in the coming years.