Statement by The Law Society of Hong Kong ("The Law Society") on the 2020 Council Election

14 May 2020
(for immediate release)

1. The Law Society will hold its Annual General Meeting ("AGM") on 28 May 2020 at which an election from 10 candidates to fill 5 vacancies on the Council will take place.

2. The Law Society notes that various comments relating to the Council election have been published in the media. This statement aims to clarify misunderstandings and correct inaccuracies in those publications.

3. The Law Society is the professional association of solicitors in Hong Kong. The objects for which The Law Society was established are clearly set out in its Memorandum of Association. It was not set up to advance political beliefs and the incumbent Council members have no political affiliations.

4. The candidates in the Council election have been reminded that they must meet their own costs in the election and must ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and professional rules of conduct including the Solicitors' Practice Promotion Code when conducting any activities in connection with the Council election.

5. The Law Society will neither endorse nor allow its resources to be utilised to assist any particular candidate in a Council election. The Law Society reiterates that it has fully observed the terms stated in its personal data collection statement and denies any allegation of it sharing contact particulars of its members with third parties for purposes of Council election campaigns.

6. In accordance with The Law Society's Articles of Association, members may vote in the Council election in person, by post or by proxy.

7. Like any other Law Society members, Council members including the President and the Vice Presidents are entitled to hold personal views as to the calibre of individual candidates, express preferences and exercise discretion to vote in the Council election.

8. Given the current public health condition and the need to maintain social distancing, The Law Society strongly encourages members to avoid attending the AGM this year; in particular in view of the restriction on group gatherings to no more than 50 persons as provided in the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation. Members have been reminded that they may vote by post or by proxy.

9. Members’ safety and well-being are of paramount importance. The Law Society has thus put in place some special measures at the AGM for the health protection of participants.

10. In summary:

    1. The Law Society does not endorse any of the candidates;
    2. The Law Society has not permitted its resources to be used to support any candidate;
    3. all solicitors (including Council Members) are entitled to, and should, hold personal views as to the calibre and desirability of particular candidates to join the Council, and should act in accordance with those views.

For media enquiries, please contact: Mr. Joshua Cheng, Director of Communications and External Affairs at 2846 8815 or by email (adceag@hklawsoc.org.hk).

About the Law Society of Hong Kong

The Law Society of Hong Kong is the professional body of solicitors in Hong Kong vested with statutory powers to regulate the professional conduct of solicitors, trainee solicitors and foreign lawyers. It establishes and promotes good standards of practice and ensures their compliance by practitioners. The Law Society also offers its views from time to time on legal issues that are of public concern and promotes Hong Kong legal services locally and internationally. For more information, please visit: www.hklawsoc.org.hk