For the past decade, the Bar Association has been sitting on the legal tide-line, like King Canute defying the waves. But now even the traditionalists feel the water lapping around their feet.

It may be years before the Hong Kong Bar follows other jurisdictions like Britain and extends advocacy rights for solicitors to the higher courts, thereby lowering the general level of fees and making it easier and less expensive for people to turn to the law. Barristers' fees are so exorbitant here that even High Court judges have said they would think twice about taking a case to court when a two-day trial can cost up to $1 million.

In the last bastion of tradition, the old ways prevail. Thursday's decision to let members publish their academic and professional qualifications in the List of Practising Barristers is a small but necessary step on the road to reform. Senior counsel with established reputations get along nicely without the brash trappings of trade or disclosing fees. But junior members trying to make their way in a crowded profession have more pressing concerns. Some earn only $16,000 a month once overheads are paid.