Lawyers HK hosted an unprecedented virtual assembly on 25 May 2020 to condemn mob violence. Close to 200 lawyers attended the assembly, including various current and former presidents and council members of the Law Society.

Those who attended the assembly expressed their shock and devastation that one of our fellow lawyers (who is friends with many in the assembly) was brutally and violently attacked by mobs while he was on his way to sports practice on 24 May 2020 in Causeway Bay.

The assembly expressed deep regret and bitter disappointment that Dennis Kwok, Legco representative for the legal profession, has failed to issue any statement to condemn the violent attack on our fellow member. In his stead, we feel obliged to call upon everyone in the legal profession to condemn unlawful violence and send a strong message to the public that (1) unlawful violence can NEVER be the solution; (2) all mob violence MUST be stopped immediately; and (3) disobedience of the law MUST be subject to legal consequences.

One of Hong Kong’s most important core values, the Rule of Law, is subject to unprecedented challenge due to this type of barbaric and violent attacks on our citizens. We, as officers of the court, are duty bound to stand up against such kind of violence, and to uphold the Rule of Law.

We would also like to take this opportunity to send our warmest regards to all those who have been injured by mob violence and we wish all of them speedy recovery, both physically and otherwise.