The Honourable Wong Yan Lung was Hong Kong's Secretary for Justice from 2005-12, and sought to implement the One Country Two Systems principle with full commitment to upholding judicial independence and the integrity of the common law. During his tenure, Hong Kong sailed through significant constitutional challenges, reformed its legal framework for mediation and international arbitration, attracted international legal services bodies to set up regional offices here, and expanded its reciprocal juridical cooperation with the Mainland.
Mr Wong holds BA (Law) and MA (Law) degrees from Magdalene College, University of Cambridge. In 1987, he was called to the Bar in England and Wales and also in Hong Kong, and was appointed as Senior Counsel in Hong Kong in 2002.
He has served as, inter alia, Deputy High Court Judge of the Court of First Instance, a member of the Council of the Hong Kong Bar Association, and Chairman of the Special Committee on Legal Education of the Hong Kong Bar Association, the Buildings Appeal Tribunal, the Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Boards, and the Non-local Higher and Professional Education Appeal Board.
Mr Wong has been a long time supporter of HKU's endeavours, lending the benefit of his experience to its students and serving as an Honorary Lecturer in its Department of Law. He is an elected Master of the Bench of Middle Temple and has been conferred an Honorary Fellowship by Magdalene College, University of Cambridge, and Honorary Doctorates by numerous Hong Kong universities. Mr Wong was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2012.
In recognition of his contributions to the legal sector and society, the University has resolved to confer upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa.
