kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia sign Memorandum of Understanding of Cooperation on dispute avoidance and resolution (with photos)
22.4.2024

The Department of Justice (DoJ) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Ministry of Justice of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed a Memorandum of Understanding of Cooperation (MOU) today (April 22) to strengthen their co-operation on issues relating to dispute avoidance and resolution. The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, and the Minister of Justice of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr Waleed Mohammed Alsmani, signed the MOU at a ceremony held in the Hong Kong Legal Hub. The MOU provides a framework for the HKSAR and Saudi Arabia to strengthen collaboration, communication and co-operation between them on issues relating to dispute avoidance and resolution, and to facilitate development of the related services in the two jurisdictions. It is expected that both places will benefit from the enhanced co-operation under the MOU. This is the first MOU of the same nature that the HKSAR has with a Middle East jurisdiction, which signifies the commitment to enhance the growing ties between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, and foster closer relationships between legal and dispute resolution professions of both sides. The MOU is the fifth after Japan, Korea, Thailand and Brunei, which will further promote Hong Kong's status as a major centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region and foster exchanges in regions along the Belt and Road. The DoJ will continue to pursue and conclude co-operation or partnership arrangements with other jurisdictions and international organisations. The DoJ is planning to visit the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, next month to meet with local legal and business sectors, and to promote Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution services. Mr Lam indicated that the DoJ is now taking forward the establishment of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy which will provide a further platform for co-operation and exchanges between HKSAR and Saudi Arabia under the MOU. On the same day, the Minister of Justice of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and his delegation also visited the AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre and the International Organization for Mediation Preparatory Office at the Hong Kong Legal Hub. Ends/Monday, April 22, 2024 Issued at HKT 18:32 NNNN
Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Mediator Accreditation Rules (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) officially promulgated
28.3.2024

The Working Group on the Greater Bay Area Mediation Platform, comprising representatives from legal departments of Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region, was established in August 2021 to assist and support the operation of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Mediation Platform. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Mediator Accreditation Standards were promulgated by the GBA Mediation Platform, for reference of the legal departments of the three places when laying down the local accreditation rules. The third meeting of the Working Group was held on November 24, 2023. The discussion focused on their respective local accreditation rules for accreditation of GBA mediators formulated by each of the three places as well as the requirements for the GBA mediator training courses. At the Fifth Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Legal Departments Joint Conference on December 7, 2023, the three parties had in-depth discussions on topics including their respective local accreditation rules for accreditation of GBA mediators and taking forward the establishment of a GBA mediator panel, based on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Mediator Accreditation Standards. The three parties reached an agreement to promulgate and implement their respective local accreditation rules for accreditation of GBA mediators in the first quarter of this year. The Working Group on the Greater Bay Area Mediation Platform promulgated the local accreditation rules for accreditation of GBA mediators of the three places today (March 28). The Department of Justice of Hong Kong formulated the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Mediator Accreditation Rules (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) applicable to the accreditation through Hong Kong, based on the requirements of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Mediator Accreditation Standards. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Mediator Accreditation Rules (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) are available on the Department of Justice website . Ends/Thursday, March 28, 2024 Issued at HKT 10:15 NNNN
DSJ concludes visit to Switzerland (with photos)
21.3.2024

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, today (March 21, Geneva time) concluded his visit to Geneva, Switzerland. He attended the 55th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council and delivered a speech on March 20 (Geneva time). He said that legislation on Article 23 of the Basic Law has been passed by Hong Kong's legislature to discharge Hong Kong's long overdue constitutional duty to enact laws on its own to safeguard national security, stressing that the legislation will bring about a stable and prosperous future for Hong Kong with the rights and freedoms enjoyed in accordance with the law fully protected, as always. He pointed out that the legislation fully aligns with the principles of international laws and practices. The legislation clearly specifies that the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Basic Law, as well as the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, are to be protected in accordance with the law. This important principle forms a cornerstone of the legislation, and is literally written in the new law. He reiterated that each and every sovereign state has an inherent right to enact laws to safeguard its national security, including China, and many countries have enacted a host of national security laws based on their own national security risks and needs. "The Basic Law Article 23 legislation will better protect our country from genuine threats to national security in the increasingly intricate geopolitics of our time," he said. "The comments by some countries and organisations on this are made in complete disregard of basic jurisprudence and facts, and demonstrate nothing more than double standards and sophistry," he continued. He highlighted that the legislative exercise has gained very wide support from the Hong Kong community. Joining him for the meeting were representatives of the Department of Justice, the Security Bureau, and the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government officials attended the meeting as members of China's delegation. During his stay in Geneva, Mr Cheung also called on the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Mr Chen Xu. Mr Cheung expressed his deepest gratitude to Mr Chen for his support to Hong Kong in enhancing international understanding of the concerned legislative work. Mr Cheung said he hoped that this trip will help the world to understand the necessity, legitimacy and urgency of the legislation. Mr Cheung will leave Geneva for Hong Kong today. Ends/Thursday, March 21, 2024 Issued at HKT 20:35 NNNN
Speech by DSJ at UNHRC meeting (with photo)
21.3.2024

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, today (March 20, Geneva time) attended the 55th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, and delivered a speech on the Basic Law Article 23 legislation. Joining him for the meeting were representatives of the Department of Justice, the Security Bureau, and the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government officials attended the meeting as members of China's delegation. Following is the speech by Mr Cheung at the meeting today: Mr President, ​Legislation on Article 23 of the Basic Law has just been passed by Hong Kong's legislature, to discharge Hong Kong's long overdue constitutional duty to enact laws on its own to safeguard national security. First and foremost, each and every sovereign state has an inherent right to enact laws to safeguard its national security, including China. Many countries have enacted a host of national security laws based on their own national security risks and needs. The United States has at least 21 pieces of legislation; the United Kingdom has at least 14 pieces; Canada has at least 9 pieces; and Singapore has at least 6 pieces. The Basic Law Article 23 legislation will better protect our country from genuine threats to national security in the increasingly intricate geopolitics of our time. The legislation fully aligns with the principles of international laws and practices. The comments by some countries and organisations on this are made in complete disregard of basic jurisprudence and facts, and demonstrate nothing more than double standards and sophistry. Second, the legislation clearly specifies that the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Basic Law, as well as the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, are to be protected in accordance with the law. This important principle forms a cornerstone of the legislation, and is literally written in the new law. Our new legislation also strictly adheres to the principles of rule of law. The laws are certain and clear, and they come with appropriate exceptions and defences. There is no question of the general public inadvertently violating the law. Last but not least, the legislative exercise has gained very wide support from the Hong Kong community. Mr President, any attempt to discredit or undermine the legislation on Article 23 is misguided at best. We are confident that the legislation will bring about a stable and prosperous future for Hong Kong with the rights and freedoms enjoyed in accordance with the law fully protected, as always. Thank you. Ends/Thursday, March 21, 2024 Issued at HKT 0:10 NNNN
HKSAR Government delegates to attend UNHRC meeting
17.3.2024

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, will depart Hong Kong for Geneva, Switzerland, this afternoon (March 17) to attend the 55th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Mr Cheung will be joined by representatives of the Department of Justice, the Security Bureau and the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government officials will attend the meeting as members of China's delegation. Mr Cheung will leave Switzerland for Hong Kong on March 21. Ends/Sunday, March 17, 2024 Issued at HKT 11:30 NNNN
DSJ to lead legal sector delegation to attend Riyadh International Disputes Week in Saudi Arabia
3.3.2024

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, will lead a delegation of the legal sector to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia tomorrow (March 4) for the inaugural Riyadh International Disputes Week (RIDW) to promote Hong Kong's strengths in legal and dispute resolution services, enhance exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and the relevant regions, and strengthen Hong Kong's status as the centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region. This is the first time for the Department of Justice to lead a delegation to the Middle East to participate in an international legal and dispute resolution event, with a view to supporting the sector to explore opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative. Members of the delegation include representatives from the Law Society of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Bar Association, as well as the legal and dispute resolution industry. During the RIDW, Mr Cheung will address a thematic event and luncheon organised by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, and attend the Third International Conference and Exhibition organised by the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration. He will also visit the local office of an international law firm to strengthen exchanges and co-operation between the two places. Mr Cheung will return to Hong Kong on March 7. Ends/Sunday, March 3, 2024 Issued at HKT 14:00 NNNN
DoJ spokesman's response to media enquiries
2.3.2024

In response to media enquiries about the recent resignation of a prosecutor from the Department of Justice (DoJ), a spokesman for the DoJ said today (March 2): The DoJ has noticed a piece of news circulating on social media about the recent resignation of a DoJ prosecutor, deliberately mentioning that the prosecutor had appeared on a so-called list of "sanctions" made by members of the United States Congress out of intimidation on November 1 last year. The DoJ usually does not comment on movement of individual officers, however, in order to set the record straight, the DoJ would like to point out that the officer concerned had submitted the resignation in September last year (that is, before the release of the above so-called list). The DoJ reiterates that all colleagues will continue to perform their duties without fear and uphold the rule of law in Hong Kong. Foreign politicians' threats of sanctions against DoJ colleagues, which are in violation of the international law, will only make colleagues all the more determined to discharge their obligations and responsibilities in safeguarding national security. Ends/Saturday, March 2, 2024 Issued at HKT 17:19 NNNN
Reappointment to Law Reform Commission
29.2.2024

The following is issued on behalf of the Law Reform Commission: The Law Reform Commission (LRC) today (February 29) announced that Mrs Janice Choi Kwan Wing-kum has been reappointed by the Chief Executive as a member of the LRC for a second three-year term with effect from March 1, 2024. Mrs Choi is the Advisor and Legal Director of Sunwah Group and a current Standing Committee Member of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong. The LRC expresses its appreciation to Mrs Choi for her valuable contributions to the LRC's work over the past three years, and believes that her legal background and extensive experience in the commercial sector will continue to sustain the LRC's broad expertise in delivering effective law reform. With this latest appointment, the LRC comprises the following members: Secretary for Justice (Chairman) Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal (ex officio member) Law Draftsman (ex officio member) Mr Justice Johnson Lam Man-hon Ms Winnie Tam Wan-chi, SC Ms May Chan Suk-mei Professor Lutz-Christian Wolff Mr Stephen Hung Wan-shun Mrs Janice Choi Kwan Wing-kum Mr Chan Chak-ming Mrs Margaret Leung Ko May-yee Professor Alexander Loke Mr Michael Jackson Ends/Thursday, February 29, 2024 Issued at HKT 11:00 NNNN
Fourth GBA Legal Professional Examination to be held in June
27.2.2024

The Department of Justice (DoJ) welcomed the notice issued by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) yesterday (February 26) on the details of the 2024 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Legal Professional Examination (GBA Examination). The examination will be held on June 29 in Shenzhen and Zhuhai, Guangdong. Eligible applicants can apply to sit for the examination through the website of the MoJ from March 1 to 10. For more details, please visit: www.moj.gov.cn/pub/sfbgw/zwxxgk/fdzdgknr/fdzdgknrtzwj/202402/t20240226_495031.html (in Chinese only). The GBA Examination was successfully held three times. Currently, over 380 Hong Kong and Macao legal practitioners have passed the examination and obtained the Lawyer's License (Guangdong-Hongkong-Macao Greater Bay Area) to provide legal services in the nine Mainland municipalities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) on specified civil and commercial matters to which the Mainland laws apply. The period of the pilot scheme for Hong Kong and Macao legal practitioners to practise in the nine Mainland municipalities in the GBA was for a period of three years and would originally have expired on October 4 last year. The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress passed a decision in September last year to extend the period of the pilot scheme until October 4, 2026. The General Office of the State Council also revised the relevant pilot measures and lowered the practice experience threshold for enrolment in the GBA Examination from five years to three years. The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, said, "I am thankful to the MoJ for their tremendous efforts in implementing the fourth GBA Examination. With the benefit of the lowered practice experience threshold, more Hong Kong and Macao legal practitioners will be eligible to enrol in the GBA Examination this year. I wish to encourage young Hong Kong barristers and solicitors to actively enrol in the examination, obtain dual qualification on the Mainland and Hong Kong, and seize the unlimited opportunities brought by the developments in the GBA as soon as possible." The DoJ will continue to work closely with authorities including the MoJ and the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province in their work to implement the fourth GBA Examination. Ends/Tuesday, February 27, 2024 Issued at HKT 19:32 NNNN
Civil and Commercial Arrangement between Mainland and Hong Kong comes into operation (with photos)
29.1.2024

The Mainland Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters (Reciprocal Enforcement) Ordinance (Cap. 645) and the Arrangement on Reciprocal Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters by the Courts of the Mainland and of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) (Civil and Commercial Arrangement) came into operation today (January 29). Under the new mechanism of the Civil and Commercial Arrangement, the courts of the two places may recognise and enforce reciprocally effective judgments in civil and commercial matters that are made by the courts of the other place and are covered by the Civil and Commercial Arrangement. This reduces the need for parties to re-litigate the same dispute in the Mainland and Hong Kong courts respectively, thereby reducing the risks, legal costs, and time usually associated with the cross-boundary enforcement of such judgments. The Ordinance was enacted for the purpose of implementing the Civil and Commercial Arrangement in the HKSAR through local legislation. The new mechanism applies to judgments given by Hong Kong or Mainland courts from today onwards in cases covered by the Civil and Commercial Arrangement. The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, remarked, "The Civil and Commercial Arrangement showcases the unique advantages enjoyed by Hong Kong under 'one country, two systems'. Hong Kong is the only jurisdiction to have an arrangement with the Mainland on reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments with such a wide coverage. The Civil and Commercial Arrangement helps consolidate Hong Kong's status as a regional intellectual property trading centre as well as a regional centre for international legal and dispute resolution services as outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan." Mr Lam and Vice-president of the Supreme People's Court (SPC) Mr Yang Wanming gave an opening speech at a seminar, "New Mechanism for Reciprocal Recognition and Enforcement of Civil and Commercial Judgments between the Courts of Mainland and the HKSAR", co-organised by the SPC and the Department of Justice today. The seminar, attracting about 300 participants on-site, explains the Civil and Commercial Arrangement as well as the Ordinance, including the applicable rules and specific procedures. Members of the public may also visit the thematic website or read the promotional leaflet on the Ordinance for more details. Ends/Monday, January 29, 2024 Issued at HKT 13:33 NNNN
DSJ leads Hong Kong delegation to participate in Xinjiang forum on China-Uzbekistan co-operation (with photos)
22.1.2024

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, led a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) delegation to participate in a forum on China-Uzbekistan co-operation in Urumqi, Xinjiang, today (January 22) to demonstrate Hong Kong's commitment to contribute to the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative as advocated by the country, as well as to promote Hong Kong's ties and exchanges with both Xinjiang and Uzbekistan, with a view to exploring collaboration opportunities. Mr Cheung joined a group meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Mr Jamshid Khodjayev, followed by a banquet yesterday (January 21). He said that Uzbekistan is one of Hong Kong's most important trading partners in Central Asia, with bilateral merchandise trade in 2022 amounting to HK$6 billion, a nearly 17-fold increase over 2021, showing a strong momentum for growth. This morning, Mr Cheung visited an Uzbekistan product fair, and attended the opening ceremony of the forum thereafter together with the delegation. Members of the delegation also participated in a business-matching symposium. This afternoon, Mr Cheung called on the member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regional Committee and the Executive Vice Chairman of the People's Government of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Mr Chen Weijun. Mr Cheung said that regional co-operation is an integral part of the concerted effort to develop the Belt and Road Initiative. Hong Kong, with its distinctive advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under the "one country, two systems" principle, has been playing the role of both a "super connector" and a "super value-adder" for the Belt and Road countries and regions. He pointed out that as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre practising common law, one of the most preferred seats for arbitration worldwide and also a key link for the Belt and Road Initiative, Hong Kong is well positioned to build with other regions a system of fair, reasonable and transparent international trade rules. He mentioned that the HKSAR has, to date, signed nine mutual legal assistance arrangements with the Mainland on various matters, including the Mainland Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters (Reciprocal Enforcement) Ordinance which will come into force by the end of this month. It will be conducive to businesses choosing Hong Kong as the seat of arbitration, and adopting Hong Kong law as the applicable law for their contracts, enabling Hong Kong to better contribute to the national development. Looking ahead, Hong Kong is set to further leverage on its unique advantages to play a more active role in the collective aspects of the Belt and Road Initiative. Mr Cheung will return to Hong Kong tonight. Ends/Monday, January 22, 2024 Issued at HKT 16:30 NNNN
DSJ to attend forum on China-Uzbekistan co-operation in Xinjiang
19.1.2024

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, in his capacity as the head of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) delegation, will depart for Urumqi, Xinjiang, tomorrow (January 20) to attend a forum on China-Uzbekistan co-operation. Mr Cheung said that it was an honour to lead the HKSAR delegation to attend the forum. Hong Kong's participation in the forum under the country's support fully demonstrates the city's commitment to contribute to the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative as advocated by the country. The HKSAR delegation includes representatives from the Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the business sector. Mr Cheung will return to Hong Kong on January 22. Ends/Friday, January 19, 2024 Issued at HKT 17:30 NNNN