International Advocacy Training in Hong Kong: A Reflection by Aysha Ahmad

42BR's Aysha Ahmad recently took part in an international advocacy training programme in Hong Kong, hosted and funded by the Hong Kong Advocacy Training Council Limited. This intensive course, held over three days at the Department of Justice in Central Hong Kong, was designed to provide final-stage advocacy training to pupils preparing to join the Hong Kong Bar.

A Realistic and Immersive Training Environment
The programme concluded in a final moot held at the Hong Kong High Court, which gave the exercise an added sense of realism and gravity. Local Hong Kong trainers played the role of witnesses, while international trainers—including Aysha—served as judges, providing direct feedback and guidance to the participants.

A Global Panel of Trainers
Joining Aysha on behalf of the Inns of Court College of Advocacy (ICCA) was fellow UK trainer Rebecca Major. The international panel also included judges from Malaysia, Singapore, and South Africa, bringing a valuable range of perspectives and experiences to the training.

The pupils were all students studying for the Hong Kong Bar, and this was their last Core Advocy training course. The programme included hands-on exercises in civil injunctions and road traffic trials. It involved making an application and opposing it, as well as examination-in-chief and cross-examination.

Raising Standards and Expectations
The pupils had limited prior exposure to advocacy training, and some faced challenges with English fluency. However, Aysha noted that the local trainers focused more on performance and technique rather than penalising minor language issues—a practical approach, especially since fluency in Mandarin is also required for practice in Hong Kong.

Collaboration and High Standards from Local Trainers
The local trainers—many of whom had studied overseas—demonstrated a high standard of delivery and professionalism. They conducted sessions in pairs using the Hempel method, with several having previously attended advocacy training in the UK. Aysha was particularly pleased to connect with two fellow LSE alumni, Emily Yu and Sabrina Ho.

Personal and Professional Rewards
For Aysha, the experience was both professionally rewarding and personally enriching:

“The course reinforced the importance of structured advocacy training and reminded me why these programmes are vital to upholding professional standards. The pupils were respectful, engaged, and eager to improve. During video reviews and feedback sessions, they listened intently and took copious notes. Their dedication was inspiring.”

She also noted a noticeable improvement in pupil performance over just a few days—a clear testament to the effectiveness of immersive, focused training.

Insightful International Exchange
The programme also fostered meaningful exchanges among the trainers. Topics ranged from differences in capital punishment policies between Malaysia and Singapore, to the UK Supreme Court’s recent clarification of the definition of “woman” under the Equality Act, and how this might be interpreted in other jurisdictions.

Of particular interest was the account of a Malaysian Judge’s efforts to maintain court function during the COVID-19 pandemic by pioneering online hearings. His swift action helped safeguard the construction industry and uphold the Rule of Law during a turbulent time.

Ongoing Collaboration with the Hong Kong Bar
The UK and Hong Kong Bars enjoy a long-standing tradition of collaboration in advocacy training. This mutual respect and goodwill were evident throughout the trip. Trainers were warmly received, and thoughtful gifts—including bottles of chilli oil and a beautiful book marking the 75th anniversary of the Hong Kong Bar—were presented in gratitude.

Aysha remarked:

“I was extremely impressed with the level of organisation, punctuality, and efficiency of the training programme. Materials were well-prepared, soft copies were sent in advance, and hard copies awaited us at our hotel. Even umbrellas were provided for rainy walks to the venue—no detail was overlooked.”

Aysha concluded:

“This was a truly rewarding trip on many levels—from the high standards of the local trainers to the enthusiasm of the students and the spirit of international cooperation. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute and to learn from colleagues across jurisdictions.”

10th Jul 2025

Aysha Ahmad

Call 1996