Fireside Chat with Dato’ Mary LIM Thiam Suan

Dato’ Mary Lim Thiam Suan, retired judge of the Federal Court of Malaysia, was the guest at the Fireside Chat organized by the Hong Kong Commercial and Maritime Law Centre on 23 March 2026. Dato’ Mary Lim shared her journey from growing up in a large family to becoming a distinguished judge. She spoke about her educational path, including her decision to study law, as well as her professional experience in both public service and private practice. She also recalled a memorable case involving the validity of religious conversion of a child.

Drawing on her extensive experience, Dato’ Mary Lim discussed the distinct roles of judges, lawyers, and arbitrators across different jurisdictions, highlighting the unique skills required of each. She encouraged the young generation to embrace courage in their pursuits, acknowledging that while the first step may be imperfect or challenging, staying humble and staying connected to reality will help guide the way forward.

The fireside chat was moderated by Prof. Animasahun Sijuade Thakib and Prof. Rebecca Ong from the School of Law. Prof. Alexander Loke and Prof. Christopher To were also in attendance. The Q&A session elicited many questions. They provided Dato’ Mary Lim the opportunity to share her perspectives on the interpretation of arbitration clauses and the potential impact of GenAI on legal services.