The formation of a working party to discuss the controversial prospect of granting solicitors the right to argue cases before the higher courts was announced by the judiciary yesterday.
The Law Society has been seeking the right for more than a decade, but has met with resistance from the Bar Association in the past. Last year, however, Bar chairman Edward Chan King-sang indicated a softening of its stance on the issue.
Chief Justice Andrew Li Kwok-nang said the issue was of fundamental importance to the administration of justice and it was essential to consider what was in the public interest.
Hong Kong is one of a handful of common-law jurisdictions where barristers have an effective monopoly on cases in the high court and above. Solicitors are required to hire barristers to argue most such cases and were only granted rights of audience in the District Court two years ago.
The Law Society has been campaigning for an extension of the right for more than a decade, arguing that more competition could lower fees and be in the public interest.
Higher rights of audience were granted to solicitors in England in 1990.
