take part in national security cases. The HKBA chairman Victor Dawes SC said at a media briefing that "the national security law is a relatively new piece of legislation and we hope that any ambiguity can be clarified by our courts in the future and the power to interpret… be exercised sparingly" whilst noting that "I do understand the government's position and the reasoning given by the chief executive." He dismissed suggestions that disallowing overseas barristers in national security cases would undermine defendants' rights and freedom in legal representation, saying there are sufficient lawyers in the city to handle such cases. Dawes also said that the incident would not damage Hong Kong's judicial independence. See also Law Society of Hong Kong Bar association Bar council Postgraduate Certificate in Laws References External links Hong Kong Bar Association Official homepage Code of Conduct of the Hong Kong Bar Bar Association Bar associations of Asia 1949 establishments in Hong Kong Professional associations based in Hong Kong Barristers of Hong Kong Organizations established in 1949