The Bar has traditionally retained its identity as a ‘referral’ institution both in Hong Kong and the UK. This means that client access to a barrister usually requires a solicitor or the Director of Legal Aid or the Government.
There are however some exceptions to this general rule and barristers may accept instructions directly from recognised institutions. They can also act, without the involvement of a solicitor, as third party neutrals in alternative dispute resolution procedures, for example, as mediators, adjudicators, arbitrators and umpires.
For more information, please consult Articles 50 and Annexure 19A, 19B, 19C, 19D and 20 of the Bar’s Code of Conduct and the section of this website concerning Arbitrators/Mediators.
