How does the rule of law survive under growing authoritarian pressure? And what role can legal professionals play when courts, laws, and institutions are increasingly politicized?
We invite you to an upcoming meeting on the struggle for the rule of law in Hong Kong, inspired by the book Legal Resistance Under Authoritarianism: The Struggle for the Rule of Law in Hong Kong by Yan-ho Lai. The discussion explores how Hong Kong’s legal system has been steadily reshaped since the 1997 handover, long before the National Security Law marked a dramatic turning point in 2020.
Based on extensive fieldwork, Lai examines the fraught relationship between legal professionals, political authorities, and the state during key moments such as the 2014 Umbrella Movement and the 2019 Anti-Extradition Bill protests. His research highlights how a small but determined group of lawyers and judges sought to defend legal principles and resist authoritarian encroachment—even under severe pressure.
Why this matters
The rule of law is under threat, not just in Hong Kong and China. Under President Trump – both during his first and second term in office – the authority of courts of law has been actively undermined. Populist political parties worldwide call into question the independence of the legal profession. Judges are accused of being partisan, court decisions evoke debates in parliament when politicians take offense.
This event is relevant to people interested in China and Hong Kong, but it’s also of interest to anyone concerned with the future of the rule of law and global struggles against authoritarianism.
Join us for a timely and accessible conversation on law, power, and resistance.
Grotius Dialogue
This event is part of the Grotius Dialogues, organised by the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies at Leiden University. The Grotius Dialogues bring together scholars, practitioners, and students to discuss pressing developments in public international law and the transformation of the international legal order. By fostering critical reflection on contemporary challenges to the rule of law, the Dialogues continue Leiden’s long-standing tradition of engagement with global justice and legal scholarship.
