Senior Counsel Jose-Antonio Maurellet has been re-elected unopposed as chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association.

Vice-chairs Martin Hui and Eva Sit also retained their positions.

Speaking to reporters after the election on Thursday, Maurellet said the Bar will continue to speak out on key legal issues.

He also rejected claims that certain defendants in national security cases were convicted for political reasons.

He described such allegations as an “attack on the entire system of the administration of justice” and called on members of the public to support and protect the city's legal system.

“It is hoped the public will not apply political lenses to the courts’ judgment or the state of the rule of law, and that the judiciary will be permitted to fulfill its judicial function, with courts continuing to adjudicate cases independently and impartially based only on the law and evidence,” he said.

“The Bar is fully confident that our courts will not consider factors other than legal and evidential ones when adjudicating.”

Separately, Maurellet said the Bar has formed a working group to follow up on the fatal Tai Po fire last November.

He said the group will study ways to further improve construction-related legislation and combat anti-competitive behaviour like bid-rigging, and provide technical advice after the government-appointed independent committee releases its investigation findings.

“We don’t want to simply repeat what others have done. Instead, we want to draw on our professional expertise. When we are clear about the overall direction, we can provide technical advice on policy,” he explained.