The Hong Kong Law Society (HKLS) has elected a new president after the surprise departure of head Michael Lintern-Smith amid concerns that the local bar is failing to win support from the Hong Kong authorities for key reforms.

Lintern-Smith stood down as president last month having only served one-year out of a possible three-year term. His successor was confirmed on 30 May as Peter Lo, a name partner at local firm Woo Kwan Lee & Lo.