government's position and the reasoning given by the chief executive," and also commented that banning foreign lawyers would not undermine defendants' rights and freedom of legal representation in Hong Kong. Dawes also said that he believed the situation would not damage Hong Kong's judicial independence. In December 2022, after the NPCSC allowed the Chief Executive to grant or deny permission for defendants to hire foreign lawyers, the HKBA said that it believed the Chief Executive would use the permission "in a way that fosters the public's trust in upholding the rule of law." However, the Standing Committee of the NPC did not include interpreting the NSL on the forthcoming meeting agenda in December, which pro-Beijing members then u-turned by saying the interpretation might not be necessary. Hong Kong's High Court then adjourned the national security trial of Lai in December to September 2023, acknowledging Beijing has yet to determine whether he can be defended by an overseas lawyer of his choice. Hong Kong Immigration Department, on the other hand, had withheld Owen’s application for an extension of his work visa. See also Agnes Chow arrest under National Security Law 709 crackdown References Next Digital Political repression in Hong Kong