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The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
In this age of rapid changes in the context of globalisation, law educators in Greater China must strive for excellence to meet the challenges of the times The Chief Justice Mr Andrew Kwok-nang Li has said.
The Chief Justice delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the Conference on Legal Education in the Greater China held today (May 21), sharing his views on legal education with the elites of the legal academia from the Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
"In Greater China, each jurisdiction has its own legal system. However, we are faced with the same challenge - to equip our younger generation with a view to enabling them to meet the exciting challenges of the future," he said.
He said that against the background of rising expectations of professional excellence and integrity in the context of a fast changing world and globalisation, legal professionals from different jurisdictions could not afford to adopt an inward-looking approach, concerned only with the circumstances and needs of their own domestic jurisdiction.
The Chief Justice expressed his views on legal education. First, he said that the law students must appreciate the importance of learning for life. They must continue to learn and to improve their skills so as to meet the challenges of the times.
Secondly, he noted that law educators must encourage every law student to face work and life with an open mind and an inquisitive attitude.
"We should encourage students to ask 'why' and explore new answers and solutions. They must never take things for granted. They must strive to make improvements. They should be innovative, with the courage to try things out," he said.
The Chief Justice also expressed the view that legal education should not be regarded merely as a means of providing technical training for lawyers. While the curriculum of law schools and legal research should not be out of touch with professional practice, they should not driven only by the requirements of the profession.
"We must avoid such narrow thinking. The study of law as a discipline, with the student acquiring good analytical and intellectual skills, is a good preparation for many careers," he said.
Finally, the Chief Justice pointed out that it was important to educate students not only in the principles and the practical application of the law but in the ethical values that underlay the legal system.
"The legal profession is not merely a market driven profession; it is a profession with honourable ideals and traditions. It must strive for a fair and just society, and remain committed to a vocation of service with a regard for the public good," he added.
The Chief Justice said legal educators had a heavy responsibility and a honourable mission. He pointed out that as has been well said, a teacher affects eternity for no one knows where his influence ends.
Ends/Friday, May 21, 2004
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