Members of Hong Kong's legal profession yesterday donned their traditional robes to welcome the first honorary senior counsel to their ranks.
In praising Professor Johannes Chan Man-mun on his appointment, Chief Justice Andrew Li Kwok-nang also inducted another six barristers to the rank of senior counsel - the highest number inducted since the handover.
The other appointments were: John Yan Mang-yee, Anthony Chan Kin-keung, Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung, Chua Guan-hock, Paul Shieh Wing-tai and Kevin Paul Zervos.
Chief Justice Li said the rank of senior counsel was a 'mark of distinction' which bestowed a duty to carry on the finest traditions of the Bar.
He added that Professor Chan's appointment was 'richly deserved' after his pivotal role in the education of Hong Kong's future lawyers, as well as his commitment to the area of human rights.
'As has been well said, a teacher affects eternity and one can never tell where the teacher's influence stops,' Mr Justice Li said.
'The most important and heavy responsibility of educating future generations of lawyers rests on the shoulders of Professor Chan and his fellow academics in both our law schools.'