Both the Bar Association and the Law Society have highlighted their support for the city's legal system in the wake of the verdict handed down by the High Court to former media tycoon Jimmy Lai in his national security trial.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Bar Association called for respect for the judicial process in Hong Kong.

The Bar, which represents barristers, pointed out that the vast majority of criminal trials, including Lai's, had been held in open court and that the process was fully transparent, given an independent legal system in which its practitioners discharge duties "independently and professionally" and judges adjudicate "based on the law and evidence alone".

"The [association] is confident that the Hong Kong judiciary will continue to operate independently, apolitically and will not be affected by any external influence or external interference," it said.

The Bar pointed to the case's "significant importance to the development of Hong Kong's unique jurisprudence under the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle" for its departure from the practice of not commenting on individual cases, especially when litigants may exercise their right of appeal, calling it "the first decided case of collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security" under the National Security Law.

The Law Society, which represents solicitors, stressed its "unwavering trust and confidence" in Hong Kong's legal system.

"The Law Society of Hong Kong expresses its deepest regret over certain media reports describing the trial and conviction as a 'sham trial'. The Law Society encourages all members of the community to carefully review and fully understand the contents of the reasons for verdict," it said, pointing to wide international recognition of the city's legal system in Hong Kong's being ranked 24th among 143 countries and jurisdictions globally in the latest Rule of Law Index released by the World Justice Project and ninth in terms of absence of corruption.

"The trial was conducted in open court over 156 days. All parties had legal representation throughout the proceedings. The Law Society of Hong Kong further notes that during the course of the trial, none of the parties' legal representatives raised any allegation of unfair treatment."

Speaking to RTHK, Senior Counsel and Executive Councillor Ronny Tong also voiced support for the legal process.

"The court has given Jimmy Lai the defendant every latitude there is to defend his case. And if you look at the judgement which spans 855 pages, it leaves you with the impression that no stones have been unturned," Tong said.

"So the court is really basically looking at every possible relevant material and, at the end of it, come to the conclusion that the defendant is guilty.

"Now you've got to respect that process, respect the court which undertakes such a mammoth task over a single defendant."
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Last updated: 2025-12-16 HKT 16:32