Hong Kong courts have asked lawyers attending admission ceremonies to mind their etiquette in courtrooms and keep their speeches short, rather then treating them like graduation or awards ceremonies by relaying tales of applicants’ romantic or academic achievements.
The rare reminder, from acting High Court chief judge Mr Justice Jeremy Poon Shiu-chor, to the city’s two professional legal bodies last week came ahead of the peak season for admitting young solicitors and barristers to the profession.
In a long-standing ritual, after training in a law firm or serving as a pupil barrister, law graduates are sworn in before a High Court judge and formally qualified as full solicitors or barristers.
Their seniors who move the application – usually mentors of aspiring lawyers – give a brief speech about each candidate, relating their journey towards the profession and aspects of their character.
Although the proceedings take place in a courtroom, sometimes the candidates take the opportunity to thank friends and family, as they celebrate earning a place in the competitive legal profession.
But in letters to the respective heads of the Hong Kong Law Society and the Hong Kong Bar Association, Justice Poon warned of certain types of inappropriate conduct during admission proceedings which have caused concern among High Court judges.
“Admission proceedings are not and should not be treated or conducted as if they were a graduation or awards ceremony,” Poon wrote. “The same etiquette applicable to court proceedings applies to admission proceedings. The court expects nothing less in this regard.”
While Poon stopped short of giving examples of conduct that troubled judges of the Court of First Instance, he asked lawyers to keep their introductory speeches to no more than five minutes, as well as being mindful of dress codes.
“For example, stories about applicants’ romantic histories or their partners are wholly inappropriate,” Poon wrote. “Protracted narration of the applicant’s past achievements – academic or otherwise – or excessive words of thanks should be avoided. While attempts at humour are not prohibited, they should be tasteful and must not undermine the dignity and solemnity of the proceedings.”
Justice Poon also reminded all audience members to remain silent throughout the proceedings, “though spontaneous responses to humorous remarks are understandable,” he said. He added it would be inappropriate to bring prams, balloons, soft toys, flowers or banners into courtrooms or the immediate vicinity.
Law Society president Melissa Kaye Pang said such concerns were a recent development, but acknowledged the judiciary might be trying to ensure better time management ahead of the admission ceremony peak season.
“It’s going to be a busy time for admissions and courtrooms can get quite packed,” Pang said. “The judiciary is just reminding people of the time constraints. If each lawyer speaks for a few minutes longer, it can mean a lot of time is taken up in each session.”
Lawyers usually are at liberty to crack jokes. In June, Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng praised one female Senior Counsel for having “her secret tricks for staying fit and slim”.
But Pang said the judiciary’s reminder was reasonable in a court setting.
“At the end of the day, it is a court proceeding, which is not the place for love stories, so don’t go too far,” she said.
This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: High Court reminds lawyers of etiquette
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