Junius Ho is a pro-Beijing Hong Kong legislator with a track record of inciting violence against pro-democracy activists. The pinnacle of this was his involvement in the Yuen Long subway attack on July 21st 2019 [1]. 

In a jurisdiction with strong rule of law, Junius Ho’s behaviour would have consequences. This may no longer be the case in Hong Kong [2], however as a law graduate of a British university and non-practicing solicitor regulated by the United Kingdom’s Solicitor’s Regulation Authority, Ho continues to be subject to the SRA’S code of conduct and set of principles [3]. 

In 2021, the SRA found sufficient evidence against Junius Ho to bring him to tribunal. The specific allegation involved his use of the expression ‘殺無赦’ (‘kill without mercy’) against pro-democracy activists, and whether or not it’s interpretation should be taken literally [4]. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal judged that it should not, however SRA and the Tribunal failed to consider Ho’s wider pattern of supporting violence against pro-democracy activists. 

The SRA Principles stipulate that law professionals must act: 
1. in a way that upholds the constitutional principle of the rule of law, and the proper administration of justice.
2. in a way that upholds public trust and confidence in the solicitors' profession and in legal services provided by authorised persons.
3. with independence.
4. with honesty.
5. with integrity.
6. in a way that encourages equality, diversity and inclusion. [5]

One action alone may provide insufficient evidence of Junius Ho’s disregard for these principles, however the accumulation of his actions provide a weight of evidence that must be considered as a whole. 

We, the undersigned, call on the Solicitors Regulation Authority to re-investigate whether the speech and actions of Junius Ho are consistent with its principles, and to ensure appropriate witnesses and translators, taking account of the repressive political environment in Hong Kong or mainland China. 

—

[1] At around 10pm on the 21st July, over 100 men wearing white shirts and brandishing sticks and metal rods attacked protesters and commuters in Yuen Long subway station, leaving dozens injured and requiring treatment. Footage later showed that Junius Ho had warmly greeted the men prior to the attack, thanking them for their efforts. After footage of the attack emerged, Ho defended the  actions of the men, saying they were merely “defending their homes”. 

[2] Amnesty have described Hong Kong’s National Security Law, passed in 2020, as “sweeping and repressive legislation [that] threatens to make the city a human rights wasteland increasingly resembling mainland China.” Dozens of non-violent pro-democracy legislators and political candidates have been arrested and faced colonial era and vague charges. Meanwhile, Junius Ho and other pro-Beijing legislators, including those that have assaulted politicians in the legislative chamber, have been protected. 

[3] The SRA has no authority over Ho’s ability to practice as a solicitor in Hong Kong but it offers an endorsement of his professional standing and conduct. 

[4] https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/sra-to-bear-65k-costs-of-bungled-hong-kong-prosecution/5107804.article

[5] https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/standards-regulations/principles/