Hong Kong's top judge calls on senior counsel to protect court trust

Hong Kong's Chief Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung on Saturday called on the city's six newly appointed senior counsel to uphold public trust in the judicial system through unwavering integrity and restraint. Speaking at the senior counsel admission ceremony, Cheung stressed that the rank is not awarded merely for technical prowess or professional success. 'It requires the capacity to maintain professional standards even when doing so is inconvenient, unpopular or personally disadvantageous. It requires judgment exercised not only in argument, but in restraint,' he said. The six barristers bring the total number of 'silks'—so named for the silk gowns they wear in court—to 109. Cheung noted that senior counsel now carry new leadership responsibilities within the legal profession and are expected to model independence and integrity in their practice.

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok, himself a barrister, also addressed the ceremony, emphasizing the critical role senior counsel play in fostering public confidence in the judiciary. Lam argued that litigants are far more likely to accept a court's decision, whether favorable or not, if they believe their lawyer had a proper opportunity to present their case with the court's full engagement. The remarks come amid ongoing scrutiny of Hong Kong's legal system under the national security law, making Cheung's and Lam's calls for independent, principled advocacy particularly significant for the rule of law in the city.