Hong Kong Bar Association Promotes Rule of Law at Copenhagen Conference
SingTao · 3 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong Bar Association delegation, led by Chairman Mo Leyi SC, attended the International Bar Association 2026 Annual Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, from October 5-9. The conference brought together approximately 6,000 legal practitioners from over 130 jurisdictions to discuss pressing issues facing the global legal profession. Mo delivered remarks on the barristers' "no refusal principle" as a cornerstone of the rule of law and participated in discussions on legal self-regulation mechanisms.
Key Points
- The IBA 2026 Annual Conference ran from October 5-9 in Copenhagen, with approximately 6,000 legal practitioners from over 130 jurisdictions and more than 2,700 law firms in attendance
- Mo Leyi SC addressed a symposium on October 7 titled "The role of referral lawyers in a time of polarisation and populism," emphasizing the "no refusal principle" that ensures all clients receive independent professional legal services
- Mo introduced Hong Kong's multi-layered barrister self-regulation mechanism at a discussion on legal regulators, noting that complaints proceed through a disciplinary committee, executive committee, and independent tribunal, with judicial review available
- The German Federal Bar reported that approximately 57% of nearly 15,000 surveyed lawyers had faced intimidation, highlighting global concerns about pressures on legal professionals
- Three junior barristers—Zhu Bailiang, Chen Yikuang, and Ye Zhaozhi—participated in Young Lawyers Committee events, discussing topics including cross-border asset recovery and AI applications in legal practice
Why It Matters
The conference provided Hong Kong with a platform to demonstrate its commitment to the rule of law and showcase its competitive advantages as a common law jurisdiction under "one country, two systems" . The participation of international bar associations in addressing challenges to lawyer independence and professional self-regulation signals growing global awareness of threats to legal professionalism . Hong Kong's role as host of the IBA Asia-Pacific Regional Forum in December reinforces its position as a leading international legal and dispute resolution services center .
The conference provided Hong Kong with a platform to demonstrate its commitment to the rule of law and showcase its competitive advantages as a common law jurisdiction under "one country, two systems" . The participation of international bar associations in addressing challenges to lawyer independence and professional self-regulation signals growing global awareness of threats to legal professionalism . Hong Kong's role as host of the IBA Asia-Pacific Regional Forum in December reinforces its position as a leading international legal and dispute resolution services center .