19 November 2010

(for immediate release)

 

 

In light of recent news reports, and whilst the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong do not presume to interfere with judicial process in Mainland China, it is noted that:

  1. A defendant has the right to appeal against the first instance verdict and shall not be deprived on any pretext of his right to appeal: Article 180 of the Criminal Procedure Law of the People’s Republic of China.
  2. A Lawyer who has been authorized by a defendant has the right to meet with the defendant in custody and enquire about the case: Article 33 of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Lawyers.

Therefore, the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong, representing the legal profession of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, would expect that the legal rights of all defendants and their authorized lawyers (as recited above) to be respected and given effect by the relevant authorities in Mainland China.”

Russell Coleman SC
Chairman
Hong Kong Bar Association
Wong Kwai Huen
President
Law Society of Hong Kong



Enquiry:
Ms. V Cheung
Tel: 2845 0520 Email : dcom@hklawsoc.org.hk