Hong Kong barrister battles Bar Association over second job 'body figuring'

A barrister is accusing the Bar Association of acting unlawfully by blocking him from starting a second career as a "body figuring practitioner" helping people to correct limb and spinal misalignments, a court has heard.

The case has put the spotlight on barristers looking to earn extra cash by doubling up as practitioners in other fields, for which they may need to obtain approval from their legal professional body.

Lawyer Albert Leung Sze-ho was turned down by the association in March last year in his application to juggle both the body figuring job and his legal work concurrently, based on concerns the job might adversely affect the reputation of barristers.

In a judicial review at the Court of First Instance yesterday, Leung, 45, challenged that decision. His lawyer, Tim Parker, said: "Many barristers who have less experience and do not come from good families rely on supplementary jobs to keep stable incomes."

Gerard McCoy SC, for the association, mentioned a neuro-beautology course Leung had taken that involved massage.

McCoy cited a website featuring the course as claiming such treatment could help women in breast augmentation. The site also showed the back of a half-naked woman, an image he suggested degraded women.

"Neuro-beautology is not something that the Bar Association is willing to approve as a supplementary occupation," he said.