Responding to media enquiries on the sentencing of former media mogul Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, the Hong Kong Bar Association (HKBA) on Monday issued a statement expressing confidence in the independence of the city’s courts.

It said national security legislation is an important facet of criminal law in Hong Kong and a feature of the “one country, two systems” principle.

A common law approach to interpreting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region National Security Law has consistently been, and will continue to be, applied in verdicts and sentencing, the HKBA added, with precedents built up over time to provide guidance in future cases.

In the statement, the HKBA said it had trust in Hong Kong’s courts operating independently, apolitically and without being affected by any external influence or interference, in both the adjudication of verdicts and sentencing.