Durham Law Hong Kong Chapter Launched

Distinguished attendees included Durham alumnus, The Honourable Mr Justice Andrew Macrae VP and the Chapter’s first President, the Dean of Durham Law School, Professor Volker Roeben and Slaughter and May Hong Kong Senior Partner, Benita Yu. 

The Hong Kong Chapter’s other founding members are Stephen Weatherseed, Robin Egerton, Kapil Kirpalani and Cordelia Yeung. 

Reflecting on to the event the Dean of the Law School, Professor Volker Roeben, said:

“We are delighted that the Association’s first overseas chapter, the Hong Kong Chapter, has been launched. We look forward to welcoming Durham alumni in Hong Kong to membership of the Chapter. The Chapter will further strengthen the long standing and deep ties between Durham Law School and Hong Kong.

I would like to thank Durham alumnus, The Honourable Mr Justice Andrew Macrae VP, for becoming the Chapter’s first President and a founding member, along with the Chapter’s other founding members,  Stephen Weatherseed, Robin Egerton, Kapil Kirpalani and Cordelia Yeung.

Special thanks go to Kapil and Cordelia for their enthusiasm and energy in setting up the Hong Kong Chapter.

I would also like to thank Slaughter and May Hong Kong for graciously hosting the reception for the launch event at their offices.”

The Honourable Mr Justice Andrew Macrae VP, the Chapter’s first President, commented:

"I have always found Durham students and graduates less rigid in their appreciation, and more practical in their application, of the law.  And, at the risk of sounding a cliché, more willing to think and look outside the box.  The distinctive Durham personality and character  had much to do with the size of the university, its geography, its collegiate system, its history, its Christian heritage, as well as the northern English character (as well as Scottish character for there were many Scots in my day) of being open, straightforward, receptive of different points of view and above all perhaps, wholly unpretentious.  It is a unique place and it was a unique experience."

Slaughter and May Hong Kong’s Senior Partner, Benita Yu, said:

“Slaughter and May is delighted to support the establishment of the Hong Kong Chapter of the Durham Law School Alumni Association. It was wonderful to see such a strong and diverse community coming together at the launch reception. As a firm committed to excellence and to developing the next generation of legal talent, we were delighted to see so many Durham Law alumni who share a passion in law and a deep sense of professionalism.”

David Patient, Chair of the Association’s Executive Committee said:

“This launch underscores the progress made by the Association since its establishment in September 2024, and the important role our internationally based alumni play in the promoting Durham University and the Law School across the globe.

I would like to add my thanks to those of Professor Roeben to the Chapter’s Founding Members, and to Slaughter and May, Hong Kong, for their generous support of this initiative.”

Kapil Kirpalani (who, along with Cordelia Yeung) is one of the two Establishing Members of the Kong Chapter) commented:

“At Durham, we learned to be great lawyers, with gratitude and humility. So many people have had a hand in our success; from both sides of the Bench we were taught to value everyone's contribution. So a sincere thank you, we will have an exciting first year ahead in Hong Kong."

Pictures from the launch event are available here.

Discover more about the Hong Kong Chapter here.

Membership of the Hong Kong Chapter is open to Durham University alumni based in Hong Kong who have a Law degree from Durham or who are pursuing a career in Law. The application form is here.

Notes:

The establishment of the Hong Kong Chapter, the first of the Association’s local chapters, was announced in November 2025 by the Vice-Chancellor and Warden of Durham University, Professor Karen O’Brien.

More about the Durham Law School Alumni Association is here.

More about Durham Law School is here.