On November 18 2024, a Distinguished Guest Lecture was successfully held at the Lecture Hall of Cultural Building, jointly organized by the Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (IAS) of the University of Macau and the Faculty of Law (FLL).
The theme of this lecture was “Understanding the Legal Profession through Oral History.” It was convened by Professor Sida Liu, Professor at the University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Law. Professor Di Wang, Chair Professor of the Department of History of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Macau, Associate Director of IAS, was invited as the discussant. Professor Zhe Li, Associate Professor of the Faculty of Law at the University of Macau, served as the moderator.
Professor Liu pointed out that traditional studies often rely on social science methods, while oral history provides a unique and underutilized perspective. He introduced two ongoing oral history projects focused on the legal professions in Hong Kong and Macau, aimed at capturing the personal narratives of senior alumni. Through these narratives, the projects examine experiences in legal education, career development, and public service roles, revealing the close ties between the legal profession and the histories of Hong Kong and Macau. Professor Liu noted that many participants’ stories reflect significant changes in Hong Kong over the past half century, including the 1997 handover and recent social upheavals.
Professor Wang commented that it would provide invaluable first-hand accounts for understanding the legal history of Hong Kong and Macau. In the summary, Professor Li emphasized that oral history is not only a reflection on the legal profession but also a profound commentary on societal changes, which is crucial for law students to consider.
Following the lecture, the audience engaged in a lively Q&A session, discussing the applications and challenges of oral history in legal research. Professor Liu acknowledged the methodological challenges posed by subjectivity and sampling bias but emphasized that a diverse range of interviewees and interdisciplinary approaches could yield a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of legal careers.
This lecture not only offered new insights into legal research but also provided valuable lessons for the future of legal education. Professor Liu hopes that these oral histories will serve as a resource for current law students and future legal professionals, helping them better understand the challenges and opportunities within the legal profession.
