Lawyer Lawrence Ma Said To Be "Linguistically Confused", "Disgraceful" and "Dishonourable"

http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1155632/if-you-must-curse-least-get-it-right?page=all

Lawrence Ma Yan-kwok, the barrister, denounced pan-democratic lawmaker "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung as "not a fucking Chinese" in the Legislative Council this week.

Now, "a fucking Chinese" is a phrase more likely to be uttered by an ignorant sinophobic foreigner or racist. Presumably, Ma is trying to say he is a proud Chinese, rather than a fucking one.

Let us take a look at the full sentence which he shouted out, strangely, in English: "I am a Chinese, you are not. You are not even a fucking Chinese!" Did Lawyer Lawrence Ma think there are normal Chinese and then fucking ones? I suggest he is linguistically confused.

You see, Counsel Lawrence Ma, even cursing has its own grammar. Perhaps no one taught you how to curse properly as you were too busy learning multi-syllabic legalese in law school.

Barrister Lawrence Ma was berating Leung for being without education and proper qualifications, unlike him, while they debated civil liberties. Leung could hardly complain, since he long since threw Legco etiquette out the window. Still, there might be children listening.

I shudder to think what school life would be like if they learned from Barrister Lawrence Y K Ma and all shouted: "We are fucking Chinese."
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http://hkba.org/the-bar/discipline/bdt/Decision%20on%20Sentence%2020140612.pdf

馬恩國大律師專業失當罪成停牌 - Barrister Lawrence Ma's Conduct "Disgraceful and Dishonourable", says the Barristers Disciplinary Tribunal

Barristers Disciplinary Tribunal - Counsel Lawrence Ma
Mr. Ma Yan Kwok (also known as Lawrence Y.K. Ma)

By a Decision on Sentence and an Order both dated 12 June 2014, a Barristers Disciplinary Tribunal found one (1) complaint of professional misconduct against Mr. Ma Yan Kwok (“Ma”) to have been proved and ordered, inter alia, that Ma be suspended from practising as a barrister in Hong Kong for a period of one (1) month.

The suspension ordered by the Barristers Disciplinary Tribunal takes effect from 4 July 2014 to 3 August 2014 (both dates inclusive).

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The seriousness of the misconduct

22. First, the misconduct was sufficiently serious (and very serious, if necessary) to warrant suspension, albeit for a short period, having regard to the circumstances:-

(1)  Mr. Ma used highly offensive language, repeatedly, on a formal occasion, in a public place. Such language included "You are not a bloody Chinese" and "You are not even a fucking Chinese". Such offensive language was not strictly "one­ off ", but took place over several minutes. He must have known that being in the Legislative Council, his words and conduct would be recorded and easily publicized and accessible by the public.

(2)  Although his misconduct was not in the course of his practice as he appeared in his capacity as the Vice Chairman of the Association of Hong Kong Professionals, it was apparent and he made clear, that he was a Hong Kong Barrister. The consequence of his highly unusual conduct was dearly to bring the profession of barrister (and himself) into disrepute, and to damage the public's trust in barristers. On the evidence, the Bar was "swamped with complaints", with at least 279 complaints lodged by members of the public.

The Bar's reputation depends on the dignity and high standing of its members. Mr. Ma's conduct was disgraceful and dishonourable. It was also aggravated by his highly patronizing language and demeanour which made clear that he considered himself superior because he was a barrister and had "credentials", unlike Mr. Leung...

39. For all the reasons above, in our discretion, this Tribunal orders as follows :-

(1)  Mr. Ma be suspended from practising as a barrister in Hong Kong for 1 month from the date immediately upon the expiry of the period of appeal against this Tribunal's decision and in the event of an appeal, from the date of disposal of the appeal...