YOU recently reported the Law Society as proposing mandatory training at its Advocacy Institute for all lawyers who represent clients in court (South China Morning Post , September 6).
The President of the Law Society has since made it clear that the Law Society does not propose, or support any proposal, that lawyers should not be allowed to represent clients in court without having first attended any training course at its Advocacy Institute.
I would point out that barristers already undergo one year of pupilage with practising barristers covering training in practical skills, including advocacy.
This is exactly the same training as is required for newly qualified barristers in the United Kingdom, many of whom go on to distinguished careers at the Bar and on the Bench including the House of Lords and the Privy Council.
JACQUELINE LEONG, QC Chairman The Hong Kong Bar Association
