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The comment of the Office of the Irish Attorney General on granting unlimited rights of audience to solicitors, since 1971, was that it did not undermine the independent advocate's profession.
The Clerk of the Faculty of Advocates (equivalent of the Bar Association) in Scotland commented that, in its view, the strength and independence of the Bar had not been undermined since experienced and qualified solicitors were allowed to acquire rights of audience in all courts in 1990.
The Chairman of the English Bar said he did not believe that the reforms in England, also made in 1990, had undermined the strength and independence of the English Bar, and that changes had not led to a reduction in the number of applicants joining the Bar.
The President of the Bar Association of Queensland in Australia commented: "I am aware that the Hong Kong Bar has a long and illustrious tradition; I have attended hearings in Hong Kong and watched members of your Bar in action. Given their general level of skill, competence and integrity, I think they have nothing to fear."
Referring to the public opinion survey on the issue, the government spokesman noted that its purpose was to obtain the views of a random cross-section of the public. As a result, only 7.9 per cent of those 1,000 households surveyed had experience of litigation and only 1 per cent had ever instructed a barrister.
The principal findings were that 78 per cent of the respondents agreed that solicitors should be permitted to acquire extended rights of audience, and nearly 50 per cent considered that, before being permitted to acquire those rights, a solicitor should have practised for a number of years, have had advocacy experience in the lower courts, and have passed certain examinations.
In the earlier consultation exercise, the proposal for extending rights of audience was supported, with or without qualification, by all who submitted written views, except the Bar Association and one barrister.
Supporters included the Hong Kong Society of Accountants, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the Australian Chamber of Commerce, the Institute of Company Secretaries, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, and the Consumer Council.
"The proposal will not weaken the Hong Kong Bar, as some have feared. Their view is not supported by the results of the research into the state of the Bar in other jurisdictions.