The Hong Kong Bar Association was founded in 1949. To properly recognise barristers who have made a lasting and very significant contribution, members are able to nominate such giants for Life Membership.
It is bestowed on those who “have rendered outstanding service to the Bar … or to the administration of justice in Hong Kong”.
Over the years, only a handful of our members have been elected as Life Members.
Nominees must be proposed by 20 members, including no fewer than 10 senior counsel, and the resolution is then voted on at a general meeting of our members. This reflects – fully and transparently – the wishes and values of our members.
In 1994, Patrick Yu, who in 1951 became the first Chinese crown counsel, was made a Life Member. He was described by our first post-handover chief justice, Andrew Li Kwok-nang, as a “legend in our courts”.
Notwithstanding the many challenges of his time, including discriminatory practices, Patrick rose to become one of the towering giants of his era. He is remembered fondly and admired not just for his professional success but also for his contribution to the next generation of lawyers.
Barristers, of course, owe duties to their clients and must represent fearlessly whoever their clients might be, regardless of their personal feelings or opinions about those clients. This is to ensure that everyone has access to justice and is properly represented.
