Bar Association chairman Victor Dawes said on Monday he expected attacks on the forthcoming Article 23 legislation, such as arguments that Hong Kong is no longer a free city.

Speaking at the start of the legal year, he said the promulgation of the law this year and the trial of important national security cases meant Hong Kong would certainly be closely watched by the international legal community.

Dawes said his sector will have to show it's up to the challenge.

"Given the challenging geo-political currents around us, there will likely be attacks on the legislation contending that Hong Kong is no longer a free city and the rule of law is dead. Whilst some of these remarks may not be bona fide, many people do have genuine concerns," he said.

"To truly serve and protect Hong Kong and its people, the new legislation will have to be clear and precise. The consultation process will have to be transparent and thorough in order to refute any suggestion that our government is not prepared to listen."

Meanwhile, the Law Society's president, CM Chan, criticised repeated foreign attempts over the past year to threaten judges with sanctions.

"These actions were clear interference with judicial, prosecutorial and governance integrity that went against every core value embraced in the rule of law," he said.

Chan also said that foreign judges sitting on the SAR's top court in non-permanent roles "sends a clear message of their confidence in Hong Kong’s judicial system in upholding the rule of law and judicial independence."