New barristers unhappy with advocacy training

NEWLY qualified barristers trained in Hong Kong claim their courses have left them ill-prepared to practise at the Bar.

Their concerns have prompted the Bar Association to consider organising its own special workshops, especially in the art of advocacy.

Periods of pupillage, the equivalent of a barrister's apprenticeship, may also be extended.

And in some cases lawyers wishing to specialise in a particular field could be sent abroad to learn from experienced barristers at the English Bar.

Bar Association chairman Gladys Li QC, highlighted the proposals after yesterday's annual general meeting.

But she denied the call for extra training was a sign that the calibre of graduates had dropped.