The legal profession's most exclusive club, the Silks, received another five members yesterday during the formal call of senior counsel.
Chief Justice Andrew Li Kwok-nang greeted the five barristers during a traditional ceremony in the High Court attended by a who's who of Hong Kong's judicial scene.
'The Bar is an arduous profession and to succeed, strong determination and total commitment is required,' he said.
'Through years of hard and dedicated work, you have achieved this rank.'
Mr Justice Li said the number of applications by barristers wishing to add SC - senior counsel - to their names was 'robust' this year, with the total reaching 17.
'With five appointments, the success rate this year was about 30 per cent,' he said. 'The rank of senior counsel is a badge of honour and a mark of distinction.'
The new appointees are: Horace Wong Yuk-lun, 43, Eric Kwok Tung-ming, 44, Peter Ng Kar-fai, 41, Anderson Chow Ka-ming, 39, and Peter Norman Duncan, 57.