Why choose an English QC to prosecute a case of alleged unlawful assembly? Unless accompanied by a breach of the peace, unlawful assembly is a relatively minor offence in the criminal calendar, usually the trial will be in a Magistrates Court or the District Court. Amongst the accused are a number of prominent supporters of democracy, including Martin Lee QC and the previous Legco representative for the Legal profession, Margaret Ng. On the more flamboyant side, there is also ‘Long Hair’ Leung and Jimmy Lai. The decision not to treat these accused people as ordinary defendants points very strongly to an intention to make it a “show trial”.