OLYMPIA CHAMBERS
Rm56, 5/F, New Henry House,
10 Ice House Street,
Central, Hong Kong
Tel: 2457 9996
Fax: 2457 9997
Press Release
Our chambers are deeply aggrieved by certain press reportings concerning Mr Li Yu Hin, defendant allegedly involved in a case concerning National Security Law (NSL) and his Counsel, Mr Lawrence Law, who is a tenant of these Chambers.
Upon our enquiry, Mr Law was instructed through a private firm of solicitors to appear, in West Kowloon Magistracy under WKC1107 of 2021 on 31st March 2021 at 0930 in Court No. 3 thereat, before the Learned Chief Magistrate Mr Victor So. It was a call-over or mention hearing lasting for a short time. The objective was to ascertain the continuous progress of the case and Mr. Li’s continuous lawful custody by the Hong Kong Government. The details of parties’ appearances could be found in the Court record and/or from the Prosecution, who was represented by a Senior Public Prosecutor of the Department of Justice. Mr. Li’s absence in Court yesterday was due to the quarantine conditions imposed by Cap. 599F, not due to any other reason.
We stress that, Mr Law has no duty to inform the press about the details of his instructions, and/or to the family members of Mr Li, although the family members of Mr Li could contact the Instructing Solicitors for further details of the bodily conditions of Mr Li. Mr Law was dealing with a new regime of law under the NSL hence he had to proceed and had proceeded, out of abundance of caution. It is most regrettable that certain press had formed a view incorrectly that this is a case of “government – appointing – private solicitors/ counsel to appear for Mr Li” (“the incorrect view”), only upon queries/ speculations, (but not upon evidence). It is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The incorrect view could not reasonably be formed at this stage.
In any event, Mr Li’s case is going to be heard again next week. Justice will be done and could be seen to be done transparently by then.
It does not serve the interests of our legal system, or Hong Kong at large, insinuating Mr Law, together with his Instructing Solicitors, acting outside the scope of their specific instructions, or failing to discharge their professional duties owed to the Court and to Mr Li.
We also take this opportunity to express our concern to Mr Li’s family members and hope their anxieties could be relieved sooner.
1st April, 2021.
George Chu
Olympia Chambers