Keynote Address by Ms Ada Chung Lai-ling (Guest of Honour)
Provost and Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Wong, Dean of the Faculty of Law Professor Fu, Distinguished Guests, Learned Professors, Graduands, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great honour to be invited to address the Class of 2023 of the Faculty of Law at today’s Congregation. I would like to start by offering my warmest congratulations to all graduands.
Congratulations to all of you, and to your families and friends, for the great achievements that you have made after years of hard work, unwavering dedication, perseverance and despite the unprecedented interruptions of COVID. I must say that despite the adversities, you have now made it! May I invite you all to give yourselves a round of applause. You all deserve it. Well done!
Seeing you all on this happy and momentous occasion reminds me of my own journey when I graduated from this University, my alma mater, with a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree some 40 years ago. I started my career as an assistant assessor in Hong Kong’s Inland Revenue Department, almost immediately after finishing all my final examinations. Yet, my passion in law did not fade away. My practice in tax law led me to study a law degree part-time, and 7 years after I started my career as a tax assessor, I was lucky enough to obtain a law degree from the University of London and be called to the Bar, both in the UK and in Hong Kong.
As my degree was an external degree, I did not have a chance to experience the joy of attending a Congregation back then. Instead, my certificate was posted to me by airmail. Today, much like most of you, I have the privilege for the first time to put on a gown that symbolises the completion of an LLB degree, after more than four decades of my legal practice. I wholeheartedly thank the Faculty of Law and Professor Fu for making this possible.
Studying law has not only instilled in you some of the fundamental values of our society, but also opened up a vast array of career opportunities that will unfold in the years ahead. Today is not the end of a journey, but the beginning of a life-time expedition as a member of the legal profession.
Responsibilities of a Lawyer
As young members of the profession, you would all be the cornerstones of the profession in the next 50 years. As President Xi said during the 25th anniversary celebration of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland last year, ‘“one country, two systems” is an unprecedented innovation’. He stressed that this principle has been repeatedly tested in practice and must be adhered to in the long run. A review of the past can light the way forward. For the decades to come, I call upon each and every one of you here today, to strive to ensure the continuous, robust and smooth implementation of the guiding principle of “one country, two systems”, to safeguard the legal regime of which we are all proud in this place that we call home, and to create a brighter future. Looking ahead beyond 2047, we shall all witness the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the progressive expansion of the Belt and Road Initiative. Seizing the opportunities afforded by the vibrant achievements of the Mainland, we shall all rise together. Your futures, intertwined with Hong Kong’s future, are both broader and bolder than you have ever imagined.
As lawyers, our first and foremost duty is to uphold and promote the rule of law, not only within our professional endeavours but also in our daily lives. At a time when the rule of law in Hong Kong has come under unwanted attacks by certain overseas politicians and media outlets for political reasons, it is more important than ever before to assume our responsibility and honour our calling as guardians of the rule of law, to protect and safeguard the long-term stability, prosperity, law and order of our society.
I would like to draw upon the words of our esteemed former Chief Justice, the Honourable Mr Geoffrey Ma, who stated in his speech at the 205th Congregation, “The fundamentals of the rule of law boil down to the existence and recognition of the rights and freedoms of members of a community, and their enforcement by an independent judiciary. It is, however, important to remember that at the heart of the rule of law is not only a recognition of the rights of the individual but an acknowledgment of the rights of others.”
In actuality, the recognition and enforcement of rights constitute a significant proportion of a lawyer’s work. As lawyers, we should strive to provide our clients with appropriate advice on the relevant laws and their application to the situation in question.
When we are uncertain whether a client’s position is tenable under the law, we should not be afraid to state the law as it is, while finding a way to resolve their issues in a lawful manner, presenting and delivering the best possible case for the client in negotiations, arbitration, mediation or court proceedings.
Indeed, as lawyers, we shoulder huge responsibilities, both collectively, as a profession, and individually. With the resumption of normalcy and the rebounding of Hong Kong after COVID-19, the legal profession has a unique role to play in the recovery process. As new members of the profession, it is crystal clear that you will be making significant contributions to the recovery process. The legal field is as diverse as it is specialised. I call upon all of you to strive to do your best and make the greatest possible contribution in your future roles, whether in the private or public sector.
Serving with Heart
The legal profession, as I see it, is essentially a profession that serves others. While practitioners in the private practice serve their clients, those in public service serve the Government and the community at large. Needless to say, all of us serve the Court in the administration of justice. The unique nature of this service makes us cherish and celebrate the contributions we can make to society as a whole. As Mother Teresa once said, “Give your hands to serve, and your hearts to love”.
If I may put a twist on Mother Teresa’s quotation, I urge you to “Give your hands to serve, and your hearts to law”.
Don’t confine yourself to your case files. Look beyond them. Irrespective of whether you are a conveyancing lawyer, a commercial lawyer, a prosecutor or a government counsel, you are responsible for ensuring the proper functioning of our community in adherence to the law. While serving others, give your hearts to law and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, humility and ethics in your work. From time to time, you will encounter cases that involve some of the most important moments in your clients’ lives, such as buying a property, arranging a divorce, or devising a trust scheme for the distribution of wealth. In all of these cases and more, society calls upon you to exercise the utmost care, professionalism, integrity and ethics in your work. In the coming decades, your service will be not only to your clients but to the wider community, and that deserves your whole heart.
Legal work does not exist in a vacuum. Look around you and think about the bigger picture. Bring a national and international perspective to your work. To name just a few examples, bear in mind that the economic recovery of the Mainland and Hong Kong will directly impact your clients’ businesses, as will the latest policy initiatives of the Government. The polarisation of East and West may raise issues in relation to your legal work. The use of generative artificial intelligence may raise novel legal questions about the use of data, patent laws, and the regulation of technology. This list is by no means exhaustive.
In these circumstances, it is all the more important to serve with heart, by which I mean serving with great professionalism, utmost integrity, profound humility and exemplary ethics.
On your graduation, you will gain access to bigger opportunities in the wide world. Beyond the traditional path of practising as a solicitor or barrister, plenty of other exciting opportunities await you. Becoming a lawyer in the public sector may be one of them.
As a lawyer working in the public sector, I have been deprived of the joy, or pressure, of filling out time sheets to report on my billable hours. However, I have been presented with a myriad of fascinating cases.
In my role as a legal officer in the Department of Justice, I had the honour of acting as the legal advisor to the Government in various inquiries, including three inquiries into the SARS outbreak, inquiries into the HarbourFest event and the alleged interference in the academic autonomy of the then Hong Kong Institute of Education. As the Registrar of Companies, I had the privilege of leading my team to rewrite the Companies Ordinance and introducing a full-scale electronic incorporation of companies and filing of company information to Hong Kong. More recently, as the Privacy Commissioner, I also embarked on, and concluded, another legislative amendment exercise to introduce the new doxxing offence.
Looking back, I must say, life takes us all on different paths.
As you embark on your respective journeys, I encourage you to dare to dream, and to dream big to pursue your dreams and aspirations. Don’t be afraid to change paths. Follow your heart. As the great Albert Einstein once said, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving”. Be prepared for change and embrace every chance that is available to you.
If you are to serve, serve with all your heart.
If you are to dream, dream big.
If you are not sure what to do, take a step back and see what you can offer.
A Dynamic World That Is Changing Fast
In a world that is constantly changing, you must be prepared for both innovations and unexpected disruptions. John F. Kennedy once said, “Change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past and present are certain to miss the future”.
In support of what I have just said, consider these changes. A few years ago, when various blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies were rolled out, the world was fascinated by them. Last year, we witnessed the rise of the Metaverse and saw how non-fungible tokens, also known as NFTs, could penetrate different areas of our economy. This year, ChatGPT and a wide range of other artificial intelligence applications have overwhelmed our newspaper headlines. And in case you are wondering, this speech was not generated by ChatGPT.
In the legal field, LexisNexis found in a survey published this year that 43% of lawyers are either using or planning to use generative AI in their legal work, and 77% believe that generative AI tools will increase the efficiency of lawyers, paralegals and law clerks. AI is a game-changer that will transform the way we live and bring significant changes to the legal profession as well.
The law does not remain static of course. Many areas of law are undergoing shifts in their growth trajectories given the global changes that we are experiencing. With many new areas of practice emerging in different fields, the practice of law itself is also changing rapidly. Be ready to embrace the growth in areas of law driven by technology, including but not limited to fintech, data protection, privacy, cybersecurity, IP laws and ESG laws. The demand for lawyers in these fields will be higher than ever as technology advances. As the profession continues to evolve, we must all have to keep up with, adapt to, and stay abreast of all the latest developments.
If I may quote Henry Ford, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young”. On that note, I hope that all of you will stay young and keep your hearts and minds open. You should always be ready to take in new knowledge and absorb ground-breaking ideas.
Concluding Remarks
Over the past few years, the dynamic landscape of personal data protection and privacy has fascinated me. Indeed, whichever areas of practice you choose to pursue, I can guarantee that privacy law and data security issues will crop up during your career.
To conclude, as I said earlier today, today is not the end of a journey, but rather the beginning of a lifelong expedition into the law. Remember, this journey is worth making, even though the end might not be in sight.
We have more than 250 graduands today. I extend my best wishes to you as you embark on a new chapter in your life. Regardless of the path you choose, always serve with your heart and dare to dream. On this note, I wish to congratulate you and your loved ones once again on your extraordinary achievements.
Congratulations, and welcome, to the profession.
Thank you very much.
王副校長、傅院長、各位嘉賓、各位教授、各位畢業生、各位先生、女士：
我很榮幸獲邀在今天這畢業典禮向法學院 2023 畢業班發表演講。首先，我要向所有畢業生致以最熱烈的祝賀。
我在此恭喜各位畢業生，以及你們的家人、朋友。過去幾年，你們努力不懈，縱使遭遇新冠疫情影響，仍能堅毅不屈，克服種種困難，如今終於獲得巨大成就！請大家為自己鼓掌。你們都值得掌聲支持，做得好！
在這高興而隆重的場合見到你們，讓我回想起自己在約 40 年前，在我的母校、這所大學裏取得社會科學學士學位，以至初入職場的時光。我完成在學期間最後一次考試後，便隨即在稅務局出任助理評稅主任。然而，我對法律的熱情從未減退。從事稅務法律的工作驅使我在工餘時攻讀法律。其後，在擔任評稅主任 7 年後，我獲倫敦大學頒授法學學士學位，並且在英國和香港取得大律師資格。
由於我修讀的是校外學位課程，我當時並無機會體驗參加畢業典禮的喜悅，連畢業證書也是透過空郵郵寄給我。今天，我衷心感謝法學院和傅院長邀請我來致辭，讓我在執業四十多年後，終於可以如同在座大部份畢業生般，有幸首次穿上象徵著完成法學士學位的畢業袍。
學習法律不僅讓你們認識到社會的一些基本價值，也為你們未來的職涯開拓無限可能。今天這典禮絕非標誌著旅程的終結，反而是你們作為法律專業人士、終身旅程的第一步。
律師肩負的責任
你們作為法律專業的生力軍，在未來 50 年間將成為我們行業的基石。正如習主席在去年慶祝香港回歸 25 週年時所說，「一國兩制」是前無古人的偉大創舉，經過實踐反覆檢驗，必須長期堅持。前事不忘，後事之師。我呼籲在座每一位，在未來的數十年間要努力確保「一國兩制」這指導原則能夠持續、穩健及順暢地實踐，保護我們引以為傲的法律制度，為香港、你我的家園，締造更美好的將來。展望 2047 年以後，我們將一同見證粵港澳大灣區與一帶一路倡議繼續蓬勃發展。只要把握內地發展帶來的機遇，香港的發展也將欣欣向榮。你們的未來與香港的未來密不可分，兩者的發展空間皆比起你們過往想像的更遼闊、更廣大。
作為律師，我們的首要職責是維護和推廣法治，這責任不僅體現於我們的法律事業，更應延伸至我們的日常生活之中。當某些海外政治人物和媒體出於政治動機攻擊香港的法治，我們更要負起責任，履行作為法治守護者的使命，保護社會的長期穩定、繁榮，維護法律和秩序。
我想引用我們尊敬的終審法院前首席法官馬道立，在第 205 屆學位頒授典禮上的演講中所述：「法治的根本在於社會內每個成員擁有的權利與自由都獲肯定，並由獨立的司法機構執行。然而，要緊記，法治的核心不僅是肯定個人權利，更要尊重他人的權利。」[1]
事實上，律師有相當大部分的工作都與肯定權利及執行權利有關。我們應當盡力為客戶就相關法律提供適當建議，以及就這些法律會如何應用於客戶的處境提供意見。
當我們不肯定客戶的立場從法律角度而言是否站得住腳，應不偏不倚向客戶如實陳述法律的規定，同時尋覓一種合法的方式為他們解決問題，並且在談判、仲裁、調解或法院程序中，盡可能為客戶呈述最佳的論據。
的確，作為律師，我們肩負巨大責任，包括作為法律專業人員的集體責任、還有個人的責任。疫情後香港逐漸復常，法律專業在這過程中具備獨特的角色。你們既成為這專業的新血，必定將在復常期間作出重要貢獻。法律領域既多元又專業化，無論你們投身私營機構、公營機構或政府部門，我鼓勵你們每一位都要竭盡所能，努力做到最好，按你在工作崗位上擔當的角色，盡可能作出最大的貢獻。
全心全意地服務
在我眼中，法律專業本質上是一種服務他人的專業。私人執業的律師為客戶提供服務，在政府或公營機構工作的律師則為政府以至整個社會提供服務。當然，所有律師都在為法庭服務，令司法事務妥善執行。這種服務的獨特性質令我們珍惜、慶幸自己可為整個社會作出的貢獻。德蘭修女曾說，「以心去愛，以手服事。」
我鼓勵你們，「以心侍法，以手服事。」
別把自己局限於案件檔案中，要把目光放得更廣更遠。無論你是從事物業轉讓或商業事務的律師、檢控官還是政府律師，你都有責任確保社會按照法律正常運作。當你服務他人的時候，要全心全意投入，秉持最高的專業及道德水平、以最真誠、謙遜的態度服務。你將會不時遇上涉及你客戶生命中最重要時刻的個案，例如購買物業，安排離婚，或制訂信託計劃以進行財富分配等等。在各式各樣的案件裏，社會都期望你在工作中展現出極度的謹慎、專業、誠信和道德。在未來的數十年間，你不單服務你的客戶，更是服務整個社會。這令你更值得全心全意地投入工作。
法律工作絕非一項「各家自掃門前雪」的工作，你應環顧四周，思考整個大局，從國家、國際層面思考你的法律工作。內地與香港經濟復甦，以至政府新政策，都將直接影響你客戶的業務；東西方邁向兩極化所引伸的問題，亦可能影響你的工作；應用生成式人工智能或會引起各種關於數據運用、專利法律，以及規管新技術等的法律問題。當然，上述祇是例子，相關問題不能盡錄。
在這種情況下，全心全意地服務就更為重要。我在這裏所說的全心全意，是指以極高的專業及道德水平，以至謙至誠的態度來服務。
你們畢業後，將有機會在康莊大道選擇未來發展路向。除了傳統的選擇，即作為事務律師或大律師，你們還有其他令人雀躍的選擇，例如成為政府或公營機構的律師。
作為政府律師，我無緣經歷填寫工時紀錄表以匯報按時計算收費所帶來的快樂（或壓力）；然而，在我的律師生涯裏，我亦曾遇到許多有趣的案件。
我在律政司擔任政府律師期間，有幸在多個大型調查中擔任政府的法律顧問，包括三個有關沙士爆發的調查、針對維港巨星匯的調查，以及有關香港教育學院學術自由風波的調查。及後我作為公司註冊處處長，有幸帶領我的團隊重寫《公司條例》，為香港引入了全面以電子方式提交公司資料及成立公司。近年，我作為私隱專員，亦完成了另一項修例工作，引入新的起底罪行。
暮然回首，每個人的人生路途，都各有不同、各有特色。
如今你們要踏上各自的旅程，我鼓勵你們敢於夢想、更要大膽追求你們的夢想和抱負。不要害怕改變前路方向，隨心而行吧。愛因斯坦曾說：「人生就像騎單車，你必須不斷前進，才可保持平衡。」切記要為變化做好準備、把握你面前每個機會。
若你有志服務社會，記緊要全心全意地投入服務。
若你有夢想，記緊夢想要遠大。
若你未知自己何去何從，那就退一步、想一想你可以貢獻甚麼。
瞬息萬變的世界
在這瞬息萬變的世界，你要做好準備，迎接創新與突如其來的衝擊。正如約翰·甘迺迪所說，「變化是生命的法則，只着眼於過去和現在的人，肯定會錯過未來。」
試想想，幾年前，各種區塊鏈技術和加密貨幣出現，吸引了全世界的目光。去年，我們見證了元宇宙崛起，又看到非同質化代幣（NFT）滲透至經濟的各個領域。今年，ChatGPT 和一系列人工智能工具佔領了報章頭條。順帶一提，這篇演講辭並非由ChatGPT 生成的。
在法律領域，LexisNexis 在今年發布的一項調查中指出，43%受訪律師在其工作中正在使用或計劃使用生成式人工智能，並且有 77%受訪者認為生成式人工智能工具將提高律師、法律行政人員和法律文員的工作效率。無可置疑，人工智能將會改變遊戲規則，包括我們的生活方式，以至法律行業。
法律的規則當然不會停滯不變。世界在變，各個範疇的法律也隨之改變。隨著新興的發展領域冒起，法律行業也在極速改變。與科技相關的法律，如金融科技、數據保護、私隱、網絡安全、知識產權和 ESG（環境、社會和管治）等各方面的法律也將持續發展。隨著科技進步，這些領域對律師的需求將與日俱增。法律行業不斷演變，我們必須跟上、適應、掌握所有最新發展。
就如亨利·福特所說，「無論是 20 歲還是 80 歲，任何人只要停止學習，都是老人，繼續學習的人才會保持年輕。」故此，我希望你們都能保持年輕，長存開放的心，時常做好準備以吸收新知識、迎接新想法。
結語
過去幾年，與個人資料保護及私隱相關的變化令我著迷。的確，無論你選擇在哪個領域執業，我可以保證，與私隱法和數據安全相關的議題必定會在你的職業生涯中出現。
最後，正如我較早時所說，今天並非標誌著旅程的結束，反倒是為你們在法律界的終身旅程揭開序幕。儘管現時未能看到終點在何方，但請緊記，這旅程絕對值得你們展開。
今天我們有超過 250 名畢業生，將會踏入人生的新篇章，我祝願你們一切順利，無論你選擇哪條路，都要全心全意地投入服務、敢於夢想。在此，我再次為你們取得的非凡成就，恭喜你和你的親人。
恭喜各位，歡迎你們加入法律專業。
謝謝大家。
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[1] 這並非官方譯本，原文為：“The fundamentals of the rule of law boil down to the existence and recognition of the rights and freedoms of members of a community, and their enforcement by an independent judiciary. It is, however, important to remember that at the heart of the rule of law is not only a recognition of the rights of the individual but an acknowledgment of the rights of others.”