Woo Pak-chuen

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Woo Pak-chuen (Chinese: 胡百全; 10 January 1910 – 30 April 2008) was a Hong Kong lawyer and politician who played a major role in the city’s public life. He served as an unofficial member of both the Executive Council (1972–1976) and the Legislative Council (1964–1973), becoming the Senior Unofficial Member of the Legislative Council from 1972 to 1973.

Education and early career
- Born in Hong Kong, Woo attended St. Joseph’s College (graduating in 1928) and the University of London, where he earned a PhD in Law in 1939, becoming the first Chinese to receive a PhD in Law from that faculty. He was the only practising lawyer in Hong Kong with a British PhD in Law.

Legal and political career
- In 1945 he founded the law firm P C Woo & Co Solicitors and later served as President of the Law Society of Hong Kong (1959–1960).
- In 1953 he stood for four elected Urban Council seats with the Reform Club, was reelected for several terms, and was eventually defeated by Hilton Cheong-Leen.
- He was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1964, reappointed in 1972, and served as Senior Unofficial Member from 1972 to 1973. He joined the Executive Council from 1972 to 1976.

Contributions to education and public service
- Woo helped oversee the establishment of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, contributing to its Ordinance and serving on its Provisional and Life Councils. He was also a member of the Hong Kong Board of Education and a Life Court Member of the University of Hong Kong (since 1988).
- In 1974 he received an honorary Doctor of Law from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Public company roles
- He held numerous directorships, including Independent Non-Executive Director of Liu Chong Hing Bank (1972–2004), director of Sun Hung Kai Financial, and chairman of Kowloon Motor Bus Company and Hong Kong Yakult.

Family and background
- Woo was the son of the wealthy merchant Woo Hay-tong. His brother Woo Pak-foo was also an Urban Councillor, and he was connected to the Li family network. He was married to Laura Pun Fong Fung and had five children: Patricia, Lana, Patrick, Rosalind, and Alma.