Law Society vs Bar Association Hong Kong: who does what

Hong Kong keeps solicitors and barristers in two separate professions, with two separate professional bodies. The Law Society of Hong Kong has statutory powers to regulate solicitors, trainee solicitors and foreign lawyers. The Hong Kong Bar Association is the professional organisation of barristers. If you need to check, instruct or complain about a lawyer, first work out which profession they belong to; that tells you which body, and which public list, to use.

The two bodies side by side

What the Law Society does

The Law Society describes itself as the professional association for solicitors in Hong Kong, vested with statutory powers to regulate the professional conduct of solicitors, trainee solicitors and foreign lawyers. Under the Legal Practitioners Ordinance (Cap. 159) it has a certificating role in admission, and it is empowered to:

• issue annual practising certificates and certificates of registration to Hong Kong solicitors, foreign lawyers and foreign law firms;
• investigate allegations of professional misconduct and refer them to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal;
• intervene in a solicitor’s practice in cases of dishonesty, undue delay, bankruptcy or other causes;
• make rules for the conduct and education of solicitors and trainee solicitors; and
• arrange and maintain a compulsory Professional Indemnity Scheme.

Its stated objects also include supporting the character, status and interests of solicitors, promoting good standards of practice and repressing malpractice. It is both the representative body for solicitors and their regulator.

What the Bar Association does

The Bar Association says its objects, set out in its Rules and Regulations, are generally to consider and take proper action on all matters affecting the legal profession and the administration of justice. It is governed by the Bar Council, made up of five office-bearers, eleven elected members and up to nine co-opted members. The Bar Council decides all matters of policy.

The Association issues annual practising certificates to barristers. Its Code of Conduct was adopted on 14 November 2018 and took effect the next day; the Bar’s page shows it updated as at 14 April 2026. Every barrister, practising or not, must comply with it. On discipline, the Bar says the Bar Council may refer a breach of the Code to the Barristers Disciplinary Tribunal, an independent body whose members are appointed by the Chief Justice. The Tribunal can fine, suspend or strike off a barrister.

How the two professions work together

The Bar describes barristers as specialist advocates and legal advisers in a referral profession. Save in a few recognised situations, you cannot instruct a barrister directly: you retain a solicitor, who instructs the barrister for you. Barristers have a right of audience in all courts and tribunals, except where legal representation is excluded by statute. Senior Counsel are barristers appointed by the Chief Justice in recognition of their ability and standing.

Some solicitors also hold higher rights of audience in the higher courts. They are known as solicitor advocates and stay under the Law Society.

Which body to contact

• To check a solicitor, foreign lawyer or law firm: the Law Society’s Law List. See how to check the Law List.
• To check a barrister: the Bar Association’s Bar List. See how to check the Bar List.
• To complain about a solicitor: the Law Society. See how to complain to the Law Society.
• To complain about a barrister: the Bar Association. See how to complain to the Bar.
• About a notary’s notarial work: the Hong Kong Society of Notaries, not the Law Society.

What neither body does

Neither body is your lawyer. The Law Society’s complaint guidance says it does not give legal advice or take proceedings on your behalf for negligence. The Bar Association says it cannot provide legal advice or assistance, compensate your loss, or help with claims for negligence. If you cannot afford a lawyer, the Legal Aid Department, not either professional body, decides whether you qualify for legal aid.

ranked.hk is not the Law Society or the Bar Association, and this page is not legal advice. Our law directory lists solicitor firms, registered foreign law firms and barristers’ chambers from each practice’s own website; the official lists remain the record.