The Law Society of Hong Kong is a professional association for solicitors in Hong Kong vested with statutory powers to regulate the professional conduct of solicitors, trainee solicitors and foreign lawyers. It was incorporated in 1907 as a company limited by guarantee.
The Law Society speaks for the solicitors’ profession in Hong Kong and ensures our voice are accurately and purposefully communicated to relevant parties
The Law Society is dedicated to providing relevant and effective support to our members including professional training and legal practice updates.
The Law Society is committed to facilitating the attainment and maintenance of the highest professional standards by our members in the interest of the community
The Law Society reaches out and maintains a wide local and global network for knowledge exchange, experience sharing and collaboration between our members and different sectors of both the local and international communities.
The Law Society strives to raise general public legal awareness, facilitate public access to legal services and promote a culture of giving back to the community among our members.
At the invitation of the American Bar Association (“ABA”), President C. M. Chan attended the 2023 ABA Annual Meeting in Denver from 3 to 4 August 2023. He attended the ABA Distinguished Guest Roundtable Discussion, and had fruitful discussions with bar leaders from various jurisdictions about the rule of law, what lawyers should do to counteract all forms of discrimination, the threats to the independence of the bench and bar, and the use of artificial intelligence in the legal industry.
Meetings with ABA, New York State Bar Association and California Lawyers Association were conducted on the occasion. Apart from exploring cooperation opportunities, the President took the opportunity to explain the principle of “One Country, Two Systems”, the Hong Kong National Security Law and how Hong Kong’s independent judiciary works.
After attending the ABA Annual Meeting in Denver, the President continued the duty visit by transiting to Washington, D.C. and New York.
On 7 August 2023, the President paid a visit to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (“HKETO”) in Washington, D.C. of the Hong Kong SAR Government to exchange views on how to strengthen the role played by Hong Kong legal professionals in promoting business ties between Hong Kong and the U.S. He also met with President of the US-China Business Council to promote the advantages of doing businesses in Hong Kong.
On 8 August 2023, the President visited the World Justice Project and discussed with them topics relating to its Rule of Law index. An informal meeting with representatives of the U.S. State Department responsible for Hong Kong and Macau affairs was also held to exchange views about the rule of law in Hong Kong, judicial independence and the Hong Kong National Security Law.
On 9 August 2023, the last day of the duty visit, the President had a courtesy meeting with the New York City Bar Association and discussed issues of mutual interest including “One Country, Two Systems”, Basic Law, and the Hong Kong National Security Law. A meeting with the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations (“NCUSCR”) was also arranged. Apart from giving an update on the latest developments in Hong Kong, they had a meaningful exchange on also Hong Kong National Security Law and independent judiciary.
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The President took every opportunity to provide the international legal community with a clear, factual account of the situation in Hong Kong, including the upholding of rule of law and judicial independence, and clarification of any misconceptions.
