Mainland judges studying in HK visit Bar Association, set for local internships

Leaders of the Hong Kong Bar Association on Monday met with 25 mainland Chinese judges and judicial officers currently pursuing Master of Laws (LLM) and Juris Doctor (JD) degrees at City University of Hong Kong (CityU).

During the meeting, Bar Association Chairman Jose-Antonio Maurellet introduced the advocacy profession of Hong Kong barristers, their division of responsibilities with solicitors, and their collaborative practices.

Maurellet revealed that the association will arrange for some of the judges to intern at local barristers’ chambers next month, urging them to seize the rare opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge of common law in practice.

He emphasized the association’s ongoing role as a bridge in fostering judicial and legal exchanges between Hong Kong and the mainland.

The visiting judges - including court presidents, division heads, and deputy directors of enforcement bureaus - hail from various provinces such as Beijing, Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, and Hunan.

Since arriving last month, they have been enrolled in CityU’s specialized programs for Chinese judges, studying foundational theories of common law and international law in English.

Understanding Hong Kong’s legal system

Maurellet, alongside the association’s Standing Committee on Mainland Affairs co-chairman Richard Khaw Wei-kiang, honorary deputy secretary Martin Wong Wing-hoi, and council member Sabrina Ho Shuk-ying, explained the association’s operations and its independent self-regulatory framework.

The judges showed particular interest in the distinct roles of barristers and solicitors, actively engaging in discussions.

The delegation learned that barristers in Hong Kong serve as specialized, independent advocates with exclusive rights of audience in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Court of Final Appeal.

Judges also inquired about court procedures, with the association clarifying that clients must engage barristers through solicitors.

Under the "cab-rank rule," barristers must accept cases unless conflicts or scheduling issues arise, and representation does not imply endorsement of a client’s conduct, the judges learned.

Hands-on experience through internships

Next month, selected judges will undertake week-long internships at the barristers’ chambers, guided by 18 Senior Counsel and Barristers. Maurellet noted that this "master-apprentice" tradition would allow them to observe case handling, legal research, and court proceedings, deepening their understanding of Hong Kong’s common law system.

Promoting common law through diverse exchanges

This marks the third consecutive year of collaboration between the Bar Association and CityU in organizing such internships.

The Bar Association chief highlighted positive feedback from past participants and pledged to continue promoting Hong Kong’s common law system through visits, lectures, and practical training, nurturing legally proficient talents with global perspectives.

CityU’s laws program for Chinese judges, now in its 18th year, offers doctoral, master’s, and advanced training courses, having educated over 1,000 legal professionals to date.

(Marco Lam)