攝影：廖卓安
（with English version below）
香港樹仁大學
第四十四屆畢業典禮
贊 辭
袁國強資深大律師
榮譽法學博士
以下贊辭由龔志強博士翻譯
胡副校監 閣下，本人深感榮幸，有機會引介袁國強先生接受榮譽法學博士學位。
袁國強先生卓爾不凡的事業，是由「專業精神」及「誠信」這兩個簡單卻可敬的價值觀所塑造。他持守這些價值觀，在法律界嶄露鋒芒，展現他是一位兼具才能、創意和影響力的律師。但他最廣為人知的貢獻，是在2012年7月1日至2018年1月5日擔任香港特別行政區律政司司長一職。
他在任五年半期間，律政司面對一連串重大的挑戰，司長則以他強韌而有成效的領導能力，堅定不移地維護法治。他任內部門面對不少前所未有的工作，有些更極之棘手。除了要處理律政司司長一般職務外，他還要應付一些敏感的事件，這些事件不單涉及法律，也是極具政治、社會和道德意味的議題。這段日子也正是本港近代史上迫切須要維護法治的時期。
袁國強先生卸任後，特首林鄭月娥稱讚他過往是一位極具承擔和專業精神的司長，又讚許他「一直致力維護香港的法治」，並且「法律根基深厚，分析力強」。
2017年袁先生獲頒授大紫荊勳章，以表揚他在政府及社會忠誠而傑出的公職服務，特別是他在2012至2017年間肩負律政司司長一職。
袁國強先生可說是徹頭徹尾的「香港仔」。1964年他在香港出生，其後於伊利沙伯官立中學受教育。他先後在1986及1987年獲香港大學法律學士學位(LLB)及法學專業證書(PCLL)。1987年取得香港大律師資格，隨後在2003年獲委任為資深大律師。1995年他也在新加坡取得律師資格。為了加深對內地法律的認識，他於同年繼續深造，並於1997年獲香港城市大學頒授法學碩士學位。
袁國強先生的執業範疇甚為廣泛，他擔當民事及商貿爭議的訟裁員、調解員，以及提供相關法律意見和處理法院訴訟。他廣博的經驗和強大的領導力深受賞識，因此曾擔任多項職務：2006年他獲委任為香港特區高等法院原訟庭特委法官；2007年獲選為大律師公會主席，連任至2009年。他又被委任為交通諮詢委員會主席(2010 – 2012年)，以及強制性公積金計劃管理局非執行董事(2010 – 2012年)。
袁先生平易近人，從他身上可看到很多可貴的素質。他雖然成就超卓，卻不失謙遜。他告訴我自己不是學術料子，中學時代熱衷於天文知識及運動多於學術科目。他最回味在港大與同輩交往的日子，認為在聖約翰堂當宿生是他其中一個最正確的決定。在那裡有機會與不同學系的宿友交流，令他眼界大開，也擴闊自己的社交圈子，獲益匪淺。
多年來，袁國強先生對樹仁大學法律與商業學系的支持不遺餘力。他擔任律政司司長期間，儘管工作極其忙碌，仍繼續支持我們，先後於2013及2017年抽空在系內的高桌晚宴中擔任講員。那怕公務纒身，這位貴賓仍一絲不苟地預備講辭。2017年他勉勵同學時指出，優質教育也包含品格的塑造、誠信的培育，同學要以誠實、嚴謹、客觀的治學態度探索真相，也要有正義感、懂得尊重別人，並且積極面對人生。他並非言而不行，他的成就正印證他能以身作則，樹立美好榜樣。
袁先生今年4月重返Temple Chambers執業後，仍繼續以不同身分服務香港。他目前擔任內地最高人民法院國際商事專家委員會專家委員、香港國際仲裁中心理事和外匯基金諮詢委員會委員。
邱吉爾曾言：「我們靠獲取來維持生計，靠施予去創建人生。」這種情操、這份服務社會的無私奉獻，正貫穿於袁國強先生卓越的專業中。
本人謹請胡副校監 閣下頒授榮譽法學博士學位予袁國強先生。
HONG KONG SHUE YAN UNIVERSITY
The 44th Graduation Ceremony
Citation
Mr. YUEN Kwok-Keung, Rimsky GBM, SC, JP
Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
A citation delivered by Dr. Claire WILSON
It is my honour to present Mr. YUEN Kwok-Keung, Rimsky for the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.
Rimsky YUEN’s distinguished career has been shaped by two simple yet admirable values – professionalism and integrity. Standing by these values, he has pursued a successful career in the law, demonstrating his abilities as an accomplished, creative and influential lawyer. Rimsky YUEN, is however, more widely known for his exemplary service as the Secretary for Justice of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region from 1 July 2012 to 5 January 2018.
Throughout his five and a half-year term of office, the Department of Justice faced a series of major challenges during which Rimsky YUEN provided strong and effective leadership demonstrating an unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law. The tasks that the Department faced during Rimsky YUEN’s tenure were unprecedented and at times extremely demanding. In addition to performing the usual duties commensurate with the role of Secretary for Justice, he was required to deal with a number of sensitive matters which involved legal as well as highly political, social, ethical and other issues. This was a period in Hong Kong’s recent history when the preservation of the rule of law was vital.
Rimsky YUEN was later praised by the Chief Executive, Carrie LAM, for the high level of commitment and professionalism that he maintained whilst in office. He was described as a “pillar of strength in upholding the rule of law” and was applauded for his “profound legal knowledge and excellent analytical power”.
In 2017, he was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in recognition of his dedicated and distinguished public service to the Government and the Hong Kong community, particularly in his capacity as Secretary for Justice between 2012 and 2017.
Rimsky YUEN is a Hong Konger through and through. He was born in Hong Kong in 1964 and was educated at Queen Elizabeth School before receiving the LLB and PCLL from the University of Hong Kong in 1986 and 1987 respectively. In 1987, he was admitted to the Hong Kong Bar and, in 2003, appointed Senior Counsel. In 1995, he was also admitted as an advocate and solicitor of Singapore. That same year he decided to undertake further studies to acquire a better understanding of Chinese law. He graduated with a Master of Laws degree from the City University of Hong Kong in 1997.
Rimsky YUEN’s practice includes a broad range of civil and commercial matters in which he acts as advocate, mediator and arbitrator. His breadth of experience and strong leadership are widely recognized and have brought him a number of positions of responsibility. He was appointed Recorder of the High Court in 2006; he served as Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association from 2007 to 2009; was Chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee from 2010 to 2012; and performed the duties of non-executive director of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority from 2010 to 2012.
Rimsky YUEN is highly personable and embodies many admirable qualities. Despite his numerous accomplishments, he remains modest. He tells me that he was not academically gifted, and in fact, at secondary school he preferred to spend his time in non-academic pursuits such as astronomy and athletics. During his time at the University of Hong Kong, he enjoyed interacting with his peers and reflects that one of the best decisions that he made was to reside at St John’s College. It was there that he had the opportunity to meet students from other disciplines, which broadened his outlook on life and enriched his circle of friends.
For many years Rimsky YUEN has provided a great deal of support and assistance to the Department of Law and Business at our University. This support continued even during his tenure as Secretary for Justice. While in office, Rimsky YUEN selflessly found the time to attend our departmental High Table Dinner as our distinguished guest speaker on two occasions – in 2013 and again in 2017. Despite his busy schedule he thoughtfully prepared detailed speeches, and in 2017 he told our students that “quality education is also about character building, integrity, intellectual honesty and objectivity, a sense of justice, respect for others, as well as a positive attitude towards life.” These are not empty words. It is clear from his own accomplishments that Rimsky Yuen is a man who truly leads by example.
Since returning to practice as a barrister at Temple Chambers in April 2018, Rimsky YUEN continues to serve Hong Kong in many ways. He is currently a Member of the International Commercial Expert Committee of the Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, a Council Member of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, and also a Member of the Exchange Fund Advisory Committee.
It was once stated by Winston CHURCHILL
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”
Throughout his own prominent career Rimsky YUEN has personified those sentiments and remains dedicated to selflessly serving the community of Hong Kong.
Professor HU, I commend to you Mr. Rimsky YUEN for the award of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.
