With the nomination period for the upcoming Legislative Council election closing on Thursday, legal sector lawmaker Ambrose Lam San-keung announced that he will not seek re-election for the next term, making him the 29th lawmaker to opt out.
The 64-year-old lawmaker cited law firm development as his primary reason in a social media post, noting he wants to dedicate more time to his practice following the national push to develop internationally renowned law firms in the city.
Reflecting on his four years of service in the council, Lam stated he felt honored to serve in the seventh term, striving to represent the diverse voices within the legal profession and the public.
Lam championed several key initiatives as achievements in his term, including reforms at the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong to restore the city's leading position in global IPO fundraising, the development of the high-end maritime service industry, and the government's commitment to promoting legal services.
He particularly highlighted his January motion to enhance Hong Kong's status as an international maritime service center, estimating that ship financing alone could generate three to four times the city's annual IPO volume.
Looking ahead, Lam expressed his commitment to nurturing next-generation legal talent through his firm while continuing to monitor government work and promote industry development.
Lam’s departure will open the field for at least two candidates vying for the legal sector seat: independent Virginia Lee Wing-cheung and the Liberal Party's Nicholas Chan Hiu-fung.
Lam described the two candidates as having different focuses, with Lee prioritizing the interests of small and medium law firms, while Chan represents larger practices with an emphasis on technology and the virtual economy.
Lam urged the industry to vote in the December election "to safeguard the industry's interests and uphold Hong Kong's rule of law."
