The demise of the UK’s political influence in Hong Kong has been matched by a slide in court appearances for British barristers in China’s wealthy semi-autonomous region.
Once a lucrative source of work for UK barristers, the Hong Kong Bar has been at pains to protect its smaller pool of barristers, only admitting the most specialist and senior of QCs to appear in court. For its part, the London Bar is still feeling the effects of a row sparked three years ago when its barristers were accused of breaking the local rules on touting for business. At the time, the Hong Kong Bar Association reported ‘constant complaints’ from its members of UK barristers touting for work from local solicitors.
