Aspiring barristers may soon face tougher assessments before they can practise, even as they confront a threat to an area they once monopolised - solicitors with the right to advocate in the higher courts.
The Hong Kong Bar Association has set up a 'special committee for pupillage reform' under the chairmanship of Clive Grossman.
The committee has the task of setting down consistent training procedures for aspiring barristers, which could also result in fewer but better barristers who are guaranteed to have met a formal standard.
It is expected to submit a report to the Bar Council by the middle of the year.
Aspiring barristers now go through a year of pupillage training with various pupil masters - practising barristers - for at least three months each before they can qualify to practise. But there are only general assessment requirements, such as the keeping of a log book signed by the pupil master, to show their work has met standards.
Earlier this year the legislature passed a law effectively allowing solicitors to apply for the right to advocate before judges in the High Court and up - traditionally the monopoly of barristers - putting a greater onus on barristers to prove their worth. The first batch of solicitor-advocates is expected to be assessed by the end of the year.
