“The complaints and investigation on this occasion serve as a reminder to all members of the need to abide by the code strictly, so as to maintain the high standard of integrity of the bar, and to avoid doubts from the public.”
National security police lodged complaints with the association and the Law Society in May 2022 after the force’s investigation into the now-closed 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund uncovered “suspected misconduct by solicitors and barristers” in their provision of legal services.
The barristers were accused of accepting payments from the fund to represent defendants who had sought legal support in proceedings linked to the social unrest.
A police insider had told the Post that some barristers had told the judiciary they were providing pro bono services.
When asked whether the complaints filed by police two years ago had increased pressure on the body and profession, Dawes said the city’s barristers should have no cause for concern as long as they abided by the law and regulations.
“We have used a lot of resources and time to make sure that our findings are safe and also in accordance with the relevant evidence,” he said. “Pressure or not, I think it doesn’t matter at the end of the day, because we’ve all got to play by the rules.”
The results of the investigation were revealed on Friday when Dawes met the press, a day after he was elected association chairman for a third time.
He said a focus for 2024 would be the promised home-grown national security legislation required under Article 23 of the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution.
The law should be clear and strike a balance between national security and fundamental rights guaranteed by the Basic Law, Dawes said.
He also
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