Hong Kong, 19 March 2025: Need inspiration? Conceptual artist Sir Michael Craig-Martin – “The Godfather of Brit Art” – has the answer with his sculpture Bright Idea, a four-metre-tall yellow lightbulb constructed from steel. It is one of a series of designs in which he challenges our perceptions of mundane objects by capturing their “formal beauty, functional integrity and cultural significance”. Quite. Considered one of Craig-Martin’s signature works, Bright Idea has been displayed in Hong Kong at least twice, hopefully unleashing the creative impulses of citizens in the process.
Melville Boase and I had our own lightbulb moment 40 years ago, deciding it was a good idea to start a law firm. Hailing from Falmouth in Cornwall, Mel came to Hong Kong in 1977 as a Crown Counsel for the government, entering private practice after completing his three-year tenure. Yours truly – or “Young Colin”, as he still refers to me – arrived from London in 1981. We had been work colleagues for a while and thought we would make a good team.
Our newly established firm – comprising just the two of us and some administrative help – set up shop on 3 June 1985 in Dominion Centre, Wanchai, where it remains to this day. Hard work, high standards and, naturally, a degree of luck were needed in those early months. The latter came courtesy of the biggest corporate corruption case in Hong Kong’s history. The Carrian Scandal saw a rags-to-riches conglomerate collapse with US$1 billion debts, taking with it a major banking subsidiary, amid revelations of fraud on an epic scale. I – or rather, we – happened to be in the right place at the right time, being asked to represent three fugitives who had fled abroad. Our firm’s involvement in the case and its fallout lasted almost a decade. During this time, as well, old acquaintance Gilbert Collins joined as Partner, completing the trinity.
To quote John Gardner, the fabled administrator who served under six US presidents: “History never looks like history when you’re living through it.” Wise words. In my time with Boase Cohen & Collins, this city has experienced immense change: the Handover, SARS, political upheaval, protests and the pandemic. I’m pleased to say our firm has been a constant reassuring presence. Mel and Gilbert have long since left the building but remain in fine fettle and enjoy their leisure time. We keep in touch. Me? I’m still in situ and relishing the cut and thrust of legal life, although the day-to-day running of the firm is now in the capable hands of my colleague Alex Liu. We will mark our 40th anniversary in appropriate style.
It is a double celebration as I recently turned 70. This means I can now claim the Old Age Allowance – otherwise known as fruit money – which amounts to HK$1,620 per month. To be eligible, you must be aged 70 or over (tick), resident in Hong Kong for seven years (tick) and not detained in legal custody (tick, for now). I already qualify for the public transport concessionary fare – a mere HK$2 for any journey – but finance minister Paul Chan plans to rein it in, capping it at 240 trips per month and only providing an 80% discount on fares exceeding HK$10. The administration believes the measure will save HK$6.2 billion over five years. Lawmaker Gary Zhang is unimpressed, arguing it undermines the government’s policy of encouraging more elderly people to work.
The row is part of a wider debate about the economic value – or burden – of our ageing population. Hong Kong has the highest life expectancy in the world and one of the lowest birthrates, meaning 22% of citizens are 65 or older. This will increase to more than a third by 2046. Critics accuse the government of reactive elderly support rather than proactive investment in their health and autonomy. The latter is fuelling the rise of “seenagers” – older citizens who remain active and financially independent. “Retirement does not mean there is nothing left to do,” insists ex-banker Daisy Cheng, 71, who works out, takes dance classes, helps out at two NGOs and travels up to three months each year.
A sure sign of growing older as a solicitor is that counsel start looking younger. None more so than the perpetually youthful José-Antonio Maurellet SC, newly elected chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association, who joins me for our latest Law & More podcast. In a wide-ranging discussion, José looks back on his student days at Oxford, early work as a barrister and the development of his practice in company and commercial law. He also talks about the work of the Bar Association and its important role in Hong Kong’s legal landscape. Please listen.
José is the modern face of an old tradition, a theme that echoes across our city. While seeking to be a world-class innovation and technology hub, Hong Kong is keen to honour its heritage. The South China Morning Post has published an excellent series on young artists giving a modern twist to traditional crafts such as Cantonese opera, Chinese medicine and Cantopop. Among those featured is neon-sign artisan Jive Lau, seeking to revive an industry battered by tightening government regulations and the influx of cheap LED alternatives. Some 15 years ago, our city glowed with 120,000 neon signs, now there are just 500.
Fortune favours the brave. Jive’s start-up Kowloneon has taken off, with clients including Louis Vuitton and local lifestyle brand G.O.D., a commission for London Fashion Week and six interns on a three-month training programme. Just reward for – literally – a bright idea.
Until next time, everybody!
Colin Cohen
Senior Partner
Boase Cohen & Collins
