Legal Resistance under Authoritarianism: The Struggle for the Rule of Law in Hong Kong [Hardcover]

Legal Resistance Under Authoritarianism: The Struggle for the Rule of Law in Hong Kong examines the decline of Hong Kongs rule of law under Chinas expanding authoritarian influence. While the imposition of the National Security Law in 2020 is seen as a turning point, this book argues that threats to Hong Kongs rule of law began with the 1997 sovereignty transfer. Drawing on comprehensive fieldwork, Yan-ho Lai explores the tensions between legal profession, political authorities and the states broader authoritarian project between the 2014 Umbrella Movement and the 2019 Anti-extradition Bill Movement. Highlighting resistance strategies employed by a critical minority of legal professionals, Lai reveals how their efforts played a crucial role in countering state encroachment. A compelling study of legal transplantation, legal resistance and the rule of law, this book sheds light on Chinas influence beyond its jurisdiction, and Hong Kongs uniqueness in global anti-authoritarian struggles.This book examines the decline of Hong Kongs rule of law under Chinas expanding authoritarian influence.Yan-ho Lai, PhD, is a research fellow at the Center for Asian Law, Georgetown University Law Center. He studies and writes on law and society, judicial politics, human rights and national security in hybrid and authoritarian regimes. Legal Resistance Under Authoritarianism is his third book and first research monograph.Abstract, Acknowledgements, List of Figures, Images and Tables, 1. Introduction: Defending the Rule of Law in the Rise of Authoritarianism, 2. China's Authoritarian Legal Transplantation in Hong Kong, 3. The United Front Work in Hong Kong's Legal Community, 4. Professional Rule of Law Discourse under State-Bar Relations, 5. Organised Lawyers in Civil Society Empowerment, 6. Defending Access to Justice in Social Movements, 7. Leadership Contestation in the Bar, 8. Political Awakening in the Law Society's Elections, 9. Conclul6