Keynote Address by Ms Lucy Yen (Guest of Honour)

Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Fu, esteemed members of the Faculty of Law, distinguished guests, Graduands and proud parents and families.

It is a great honour to be invited to say a few words on this joyous occasion.

We have such a wonderful mix of graduands here. Please allow me to offer my warmest congratulations to each of you.

This is a proud day for you, your parents and family. We are here to celebrate your great achievements and accomplishments. Today’s celebration reflects your ability and hard work. Your success is all the more remarkable because the past few years have been very challenging and yet you have been able to come through with flying colours.

Behind your great achievements are the encouragement and support of your parents and family and the care and guidance of your teachers and mentors. Please do let them know of your appreciation. People often ask what is the recipe of a happy life. In my view, knowing how fortunate you are and being grateful for your good fortune are important ingredients of the recipe of a happy life. When we appreciate the good in our life, we have more of it. Since the pandemic, we have come to realise that nothing can or should be taken for granted. How fortunate are we indeed, to be able to gather here today, in this Grand Hall, to celebrate your success.

When I was a teenager in the 1960s, I did not like the daily piles of homework that I had to deal with. So I announced to my father one day that I really did not see the point of my homework as I plan to lead a simple carefree existence by spending my days lying on the beach, reading and getting a good sun tan. It was very fashionable then to have a tan. This was of course before we were aware of the dangers of skin cancer and wrinkles. My father reflected briefly on my announcement and gave me his view. He told me that I would not be happy spending my days lying on the beach as I would have no “purpose” in life. He then pointed out to me that my “purpose” at that stage of my life was to enter The University of Hong Kong. Being so enlightened by my father that happiness was linked to a “purpose in life” and not to the road leading down to the beach, I buckled down to tackle my then purpose in life, that is to gain entrance to The University of Hong Kong.

My father subsequently gave me another piece of advice. He suggested that I should study law. He said the legal profession is a profession that can “help” people. Up to this day I am very grateful for his advice.

If I had not been receptive to my father’s guidance, I would not have had the privilege of joining the legal profession. I would not have the pleasure of standing here today joining in your celebration. In fact I cannot think of any place I rather be than here, now with you all. This is certainly much better than lying on the beach getting sunburnt and wrinkled.

This year, besides being the happy year of your graduation, is also a year of celebration for our Faculty of Law. 2024 marks the 55th year of the setting up of the first law school in Hong Kong, our Faculty of Law. Our Faculty of Law started as the Department of Law in 1969 in Caine Road. In September 1969, Professor Evans, Professor Rear and Mr. Downey were the 3 brave teachers who came face to face with their first batch of 40 students, 40 equally brave guinea pigs. I was one of the 40 students.

Our 3 years in the Department of Law were exciting and stimulating. Away from the main campus, we were in a world of our own, embarking on a great adventure. I remember the many practitioners who took time off from their busy schedule to come up to our law school to share their knowledge and experience with us. We felt greatly cared for. The first batch of law students (who completed the 3-year LLB degree course), graduated in 1972 and consisted of 33 students.

I am extremely proud to say that 55 years on, the Department of Law has evolved into our Faculty of Law. From 3 teachers and 40 students in 1969, our Faculty now has over 80 full-time academic staff from 15 jurisdictions worldwide and more than 2,500 students.

Our Faculty has since nurtured some of the most distinguished legal professionals, judges and community leaders in Hong Kong. In 2010, the Clinical Legal Education Programme was launched, the first such programme in Hong Kong. Through legal education, our Faculty is contributing to our society and nurturing the culture of serving our community.

From such a humble beginning, our Faculty of Law has become one of the finest in the world. This could not have happened without the combined efforts made by all the members and staff, past and present, of our Faculty, and their collective commitment to excellence.

Anniversaries are times to look to the past with gratitude and the future with hope. We are indeed the beneficiaries of a dream that Hong Kong should have its own law school and we owe a great debt of gratitude to all those who supported and made this dream come true.

May I take this opportunity to also express my thanks to Professor Fu and all the members and staff of our Faculty of Law for their enormous contributions and for continuing to lead us onto new heights.

Being here brings back a flood of good memories.

In late 1973, after completing the PCLL course, I started my 2 years of training in a law firm. I was very happy to receive a monthly salary of HK$l,000. Thanks to the efforts of our law school, for the first time, articled clerks in Hong Kong could negotiate for a monthly salary. The total number of practitioners in the private practice in the legal profession were under 500 then. It was a close-knit profession. The practitioners who earned the greatest respect were those who were capable, hardworking and of high integrity. A good reputation (based on these qualities) was the main test of a successful practitioner. We looked up to them in awe. Legal profession was then and still is the most public-spirited and at the forefront of contributing to the community and public service.

What does a law student from 1969 have to say to our graduands 55 years later? I have many thoughts I would like to share with you but time is short (for me).

I. Artificial Intelligence (Al) :-

Artificial Intelligence (Al) has evolved faster than anticipated. There is no doubt, the Al revolution will bring enormous benefits and opportunities to human kind. You are the generation that will inherit the impact and benefit of this technology. You must embrace this new era and harness its huge potential or be left behind. Al has progressed to making decision by itself, to creating new ideas by itself, to gaining mastery of languages and to learning by itself. However this technology also brings new risks and challenges. Al is regarded with great fascination as well as great fear. It has been labelled as “Alien Intelligence” by those who fear it.

While we should not deny ourselves this huge potential we must use Al correctly and with great care. There need to be set up proper and ethical rules/codes relating to its use to ensure safety for our human kind. This is perhaps an area where you, engineers and scientists can get together to work on the rules and safeguards needed for our protection. While we work alongside advanced technology and harness it for our benefit, we must always be vigilant and not allow ourselves to sink into the pitfall of “intellectual laziness”. We must also never lose sight of our human qualities of love, kindness, empathy and integrity. These are the human qualities which will ultimately distinguish us, humans, from “them” i.e. the robots.

II. Legal education and the Legal profession :-

Legal education prepares you for a variety of careers even if you should decide not to enter into the legal profession. In fact I would say no other education better prepares you for your life journey. It teaches, among other things, analytical and critical thinking, problem-solving skills, the importance and power of words, communication, persuasion and active listening. You become aware of your rights and that of the need of respecting the rights of others. Legal education is not just for aspiring lawyers, it is for anyone who wants to be an informed person.

Hong Kong will always need a strong world class legal profession. For those who choose to enter the legal profession, you will find it all consuming but extremely meaningful and fulfilling. It is indeed a profession where you can “help” others. It is a career, an honourable profession and one of service. After more than 40 years in the legal profession, I can say that I have chosen a career that I am passionate about. Each day is different, interesting and challenging. Like doctors, lawyers also directly touch and affect their client’s life, health and happiness. As a lawyer you advise and protect your clients and help them to solve their problems. Yet you are more than just that, being a member of the legal profession means that you are part of something bigger than yourself. You are an officer of the court and an essential part of our legal system and administration of justice based on the core values of the rule of law, an independent judiciary and an independent legal profession. The practice of law is an honourable profession with a firm commitment to the rule of law. It is a privilege to be part of something so important and worthwhile.

Ill. Rule of Law :-

You have the great privilege to have attended one of the leading law schools in the world. Your education here not only has given you a set of important skills and a solid foundation in understanding legal principles and process, you have also been taught about the rule of law, its importance, and all that it embraces.

Hong Kong is the only city in China practising the common law. We have been assured many times that Hong Kong will maintain its common law system and its rule of law under One Country, Two Systems principle.

Hong Kong as an international financial center has also been described as a super connector, the common law gateway and an international legal and dispute resolution hub. We are the bridge between China and the outside world. One of the core assets and core value of Hong Kong is its rule of law. Hong Kong as a thriving economy, an international financial center, can only retain its unique position and usefulness to China if the rule of law is upheld and maintained. What has been achieved must never be taken for granted, it must be cherished, for it is both precious and fragile.

You are our future and our hope for a better world, a better tomorrow. You have an important role to play. It is a great responsibility as well as a great privilege. As we pass on the torch to each of you, we are relying on you to continue to protect and uphold the rule of law in Hong Kong. I am confident that you will rise to the challenge.

IV. Life :-

Today is the beginning of the rest of your life journey. As you sail out from this safe harbour into the vast ocean of life, the following 3 pointers may be of help :-

– Life is (really) a journey – As with all travels, you will meet storms as well as blue skies. Stay healthy so that you may fully enjoy the journey. Cherish your friends, mentors and family. Cherish your personal growth journey. Fill your life with happiness and kindness. Treasure each day and live mindfully and positively. We are only on this planet for a short time (about 36,500 days if you live to 100 years old). Find your purpose and moral compass in life so that you may head in the right direction of integrity, honesty, empathy and kindness.

– Life is a (huge) classroom – You must embrace continuous learning. You are here on this planet to develop your fullest potential and evolve into the best version of yourself. Life is also a long lesson in humility. Even with your ability and skills you will not be immune from disappointment or failure. Face all challenges with courage as they will make you not only stronger but wiser. All failures are success in progress. There should be no regrets only lessons.

– Life is a (story) book – There is greatness in each of you. You are the author of your own life story. How do you choose to write your life story? To quote Marcus Aurelius “You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realise this and you will find strength.” What is important is your reaction to outside events and the choices that you make. Choose always to do your best and put your whole heart into whatever task you decide to undertake. Choose to be of service to your community. Choose to live a life of purpose so that the world is better because you were here. With the excellent education you have received I know you have all the ability and skills to make the right choices in your life.

Concluding remarks

An amazing future awaits you all. May your life be one of service and adventure.

Fifty five years from now, when you are taking part in celebrating the 110th year of the setting up of our Faculty of Law, I know you will say to yourself, our Faculty of Law has taught us well and I am proud of the choices that I have made in my life.

Congratulations again, may you grow into your happiest, strongest and wisest self and be a credit to the community you live in.

Thank you.