Barristers brace for competition in High Court
As high courts open to solicitors it may be time for further education, says Bar Association chief
Hong Kong's barristers are bracing for a more competitive legal sector in which many solicitors will have the right to take cases to the High Court, the new leader of the Bar Association says.
Paul Shieh Wing-tai SC told the South China Morning Post recently that he is considering various options - such as compulsory continuing legal education for barristers - to meet the new competition.
The new right, for properly qualified solicitors, was approved two years ago and may come into use as early as April. The high courts have long been the exclusive domain of barristers.
"Barristers are facing many challenges these days, one of which is the solicitors' higher right of audience," Shieh said.
"It goes beyond the issues of simply whether they should wear a wig or have new titles equivalent to those of senior counsels [barristers]. The solicitors' right of audience is a bigger issue."
Shieh was speaking in his first media interview since taking the helm of the 1,100-member professional body on January 18.
"As barristers, one of our challenges is how to improve ourselves to further sharpen our distinctive edge.