Des Voeux Chambers lawyer falls victim

A senior counsel confirmed with Covid-19 while attending a two-week business trip is recovering in self-isolation at his home in Britain.

Ian Pennicott, 61, from the Hong Kong-based Des Voeux Chambers, tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday in London, the chambers told The Standard.

Pennicott is recovering at his home after a "brief period of hospitalization," it added.

The barrister, who has lived in Hong Kong for 36 years, has "no current intention of returning to Hong Kong in the foreseeable future," the chambers said.

Pennicott, QC, was representing Mayer Brown JSM in an arbitration case, together with Mayer Brown's copartner, Hasofer Menachem Mendel, since early last month.

The 50-year-old Mendel also tested positive during his two-week home isolation when he returned to Hong Kong on March 18, according to a Sing Tao Daily report.

Unconfirmed sources said at least another lawyer was also infected during the trip.

Mendel, admitted to the Hong Kong Bar in 2002, started his practice in Australia in 1997.

Pennicott obtained his bachelor of arts degree in law at Kingston University.

He was admitted to the Bar of England and Wales (Middle Temple) in 1982, called to the Inner Bar in 2003 and admitted to the Hong Kong Bar in 1984.

Meanwhile, Bar Association chairman Philip Dykes called for Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po to assist those self-employed, including barristers.

Dykes said in a letter to Chan: "It is a matter of regret that the government has so far taken no measures to help the self-employed most people in this category, including practicing barristers, have also been hit hard."

The Judiciary announced on Saturday an extended adjournment of all court hearings that are not urgent and essential until April 13 - more than two months after courts were suspended on January 29 amid the epidemic.

Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma Tao-li said in a statement on Wednesday last week that about 18 percent of the annual case loads have been affected.

Cheung, a solicitor for commercial litigation in a local legal firm, told The Standard there had been a huge delay in most court cases.

"We can't make any application now except if it's urgent," he said.

"Like in some cases, the hearings are adjourned for two months."

He said it was inconvenient for his clients who are waiting for court orders but can barely get back their money.

The Bar Association will be offering interest-free loans of up to HK$36,000 to young barristers who were admitted in or after 2013.

The Small and Medium Law Firms Association of Hong Kong also urged the government to offer a helping hand by providing cash assistance of HK$80,000 to HK$200,000 to chambers.

"The legal sector is affected severely by the pandemic, resulting in a sharp decline of income for solicitors and barristers," the association said.

justin.tong@singtaonewscorp.com