Hong Kong, 24 January 2017: A large audience and an electrifying talk from award-winning international barrister Clare Montgomery QC helped make the inaugural Boase Cohen & Collins Criminal Law Lecture an overwhelming success.
More than 250 people attended, including senior figures from the Department of Justice, members of the Judiciary and high-profile barristers and solicitors. They joined law students from Hong Kong’s three law schools – the University of Hong Kong, which hosted the event, Chinese University and City University.
Those present heard Ms Montgomery give a fascinating insight into “Joint Enterprise”, the three-decade-old legal principle that allows someone to be convicted of murder even if they did not strike the fatal blow.
“We are delighted that the inaugural University of Hong Kong and Boase Cohen & Collins Lecture Series in Criminal Law was such a success,” said BC&C Senior Partner Colin Cohen. “The feedback we have received from many guests has been extremely positive and complimentary.
“Undoubtedly, having such an eminent barrister as Clare Montgomery deliver this first lecture, plus the fact that Joint Enterprise is currently a hot topic in Hong Kong and elsewhere, contributed to what was a most gratifying evening.
“Our sincere thanks go to everyone who attended and, as well, we are grateful to the organising team at the HKU Faculty of Law, including the many student volunteers who assisted. Our Lecture Series could not have got off to a better start and we have set the bar high with regard to next year’s event.”
Ms Montgomery was introduced to the audience by the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Michael Hor, while Mr Cohen gave a vote of thanks at the conclusion. The lecture was held at the Faculty of Law’s Moot Court auditorium in Pokfulam and was preceded by a cocktail reception.
While the Lecture Series will run for a minimum of three years, both BC&C and HKU are hopeful it will be a fixture in the University’s academic programme for many years to come.