Advertisement

Courting the next generation

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
0

If tearing apart the weaknesses in your opponents' arguments while presenting the strengths of your own is your skill and interest, then become a barrister.

This was the message conveyed to pupils at the finals of a debating competition organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association.

Identifying the city's brightest legal talent is usually a job cherished by Chief Justice Andrew Li Kwok-nang, but yesterday it was Chief Judge of the High Court Mr Justice Geoffrey Ma Tao-li - in what might be a prelude of things to come - who cast his eyes over youngsters who could one day be advocating before him in court.

The final debate was fought out at the University of Hong Kong between 15 year-olds from the Diocesan Girls' School and the South Island School, and DGS emerged the victors.

Ma, as one of the main adjudicators, commented at the end that the debating skills honed during the competition would stand the pupils in good stead, especially should they choose to become barristers.

'There will be many occasions where you will have limited time ... to persuade the court that your argument is the right one,' he said.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2-3x faster
1.1x
220 WPM
Slow
Normal
Fast
1.1x