kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Department of Justice releases "Prosecutions Hong Kong 2018"
19.12.2019

The Prosecutions Division of the Department of Justice today (December 19) released its annual report, "Prosecutions Hong Kong 2018", which reviews the Division's work and important cases of last year. In his letter presenting the report to the Secretary for Justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr David Leung, SC, described the year 2018 as "an eventful year for the Division". He said, "Throughout the year, prosecutors in the Division upheld their role as 'ministers of justice' in pursuance of fair and independent prosecution." In the Director's Overview, Mr Leung reiterated that he was saddened by the accusation of "political prosecution". He emphasised that "we do not seek to secure a conviction at all costs. Our role is to ensure that every defendant receives a fair trial ... We prosecute in the name of the public for the good of Hong Kong. We shall do so even though it is an increasingly thankless task. We shall do so amidst tides of criticisms and abuses. We shall brave the storm, together as a Division; and with dignity, fulfil our duty to uphold justice. We strive to do our best to maintain a high quality prosecution service." On assumption of his office on December 29, 2017, Mr Leung determined to make it a goal for prosecutors in the Division to gain more exposure in court work and to enhance their advocacy skills. To pursue this goal in 2018, more junior prosecutors were assigned to prosecute trials and appeals together with more experienced prosecutors. As stated in the annual report, the Division also continued to conduct seminars and sharing sessions covering topical issues frequently to keep prosecutors abreast of the latest developments in procedural and substantive law, and arranged different local and overseas training courses to hone prosecutors' knowledge and skills necessary for a more efficient discharge of their duties. "Prosecutions Hong Kong 2018" is available on the website of the Department of Justice ( www.doj.gov.hk/eng/public/yrreviewpd2018.html ). Ends/Thursday, December 19, 2019 Issued at HKT 15:00 NNNN
Secretary for Justice dismisses untrue claims
12.12.2019

In response to queries that the Secretary for Justice was forced to remain in her post, the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, today (December 12) made the following statement: Reacting to a news report alleging that the Secretary for Justice had wanted to resign, the Secretary had already denied the allegation and reiterated that she had no intention to resign. The Secretary stressed that she fully understood the challenges when she accepted her appointment, adding that it would be irresponsible to resign in this difficult time. Upon her return from Beijing on December 3, the Secretary for Justice spoke to the media at the airport about her injury. She explained that the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom had arranged for her return to Beijing where she had further check-ups and medical treatment at a hospital. The Secretary was discharged from the hospital on December 3 and returned to Hong Kong on the same day. Anyone who made unwarranted and groundless speculation is extremely irresponsible. In order to prevent further false statement, the Secretary for Justice reiterated that the so-called "forced to remain in her post" and other speculations were totally fallacious. Ends/Thursday, December 12, 2019 Issued at HKT 22:20 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by Secretary for Justice at media session
11.12.2019

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, at a media session after attending the Legislative Council meeting today (December 11): Reporter: Secretary, what do you think of the court's ruling on the mask ban? Now that officers can no longer enforce the law under the Emergency Regulations Ordinance, what do you think of that? Secretary for Justice: The case is still under its judicial process, and it is sub judice, and it would not be appropriate for me to comment. Reporter: Secretary, have you offered to resign from your post and stay in London? And are you expecting to be removed from your post any time soon? Second question regarding the arson attacks targeting the courts, the slogans painted on the buildings specifically say that they do not trust the rule of law here in Hong Kong. Do you think your department has any role to play in the loss of confidence in regards to the rule of law? Secretary for Justice: Arson is a very, very serious crime, and therefore no one should try and attempt to think that they can get away with arson lightly. It can attract a life sentence. Any arson act, which I think is not just before the court, but in various other places in Hong Kong, should not be allowed to continue and should be condemned. Insofar as the attack on the court is concerned, that is even more disgraceful, and it is very sad to see that people in Hong Kong are attacking our own court, which is truly independent and has been upholding the rule of law. We, in the Department of Justice, continue to support the judicial independence as well as the rule of law in Hong Kong. As to the speculation, which is a pure speculation that has been reported recently in some social media about resignations and all the rest of it, it is a pure speculation. I urge you all, as responsible media, to check the facts and to look at evidence rather than to just repeat what has been said. Thank you very much. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Wednesday, December 11, 2019 Issued at HKT 13:47 NNNN
Statement by Department of Justice
8.12.2019

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will not tolerate any illegal or violent acts. The arsons outside the Court of Final Appeal and High Court Building today (December 8) not only disrupted social peace, but also undermined Hong Kong’s reputation as a city governed by the rule of law. Arson is a serious offence which poses a threat to the lives and properties of the public. The maximum penalty upon conviction is life imprisonment. Members of the public are urged not to break the law. The Department of Justice appeals to the public to respect the rule of law. The Government will not condone any acts of sabotage against the Judiciary or damage to the rule of law. Ends/Sunday, December 8, 2019 Issued at HKT 21:06 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by Secretary for Justice at media session
3.12.2019

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, at a media session at the Hong Kong International Airport today (December 3): Reporter: How is your arm? How are you recovering so far? Maybe you have noticed there is some criticism that even the Sai Wan Ho boy who was shot has been released from the hospital, why did you stay so long in London? And my second question is what are your views on the pan-Democrats' private bill to slash the jail term for rioting charges from 10 to three years? Secretary for Justice: I have already described my injury. My injury from the left wrist is a certain bone fracture around the wrist and with partial dislocation of the wrist. The hand is of course painful, but it is more painful at the heart to see Hong Kong is still at the state that we are in. This disorderly behavior to me is even more painful than my arm. I have done the operation in London and when the Embassy arranged my return to the country, I arrived in Beijing and went to the Beijing hospital for further check-ups and medical treatment. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, December 3, 2019 Issued at HKT 20:25 NNNN
Appointments to Committee on Provision of Space in the Legal Hub
1.12.2019

The Department of Justice (DoJ) announced today (December 1) re-appointments to the Committee on Provision of Space in the Legal Hub for 13 months from December 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020. Pursuant to the policy objective of enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international legal and dispute resolution centre in the Asia Pacific region, the Government has committed to provide certain space in the West Wing of the former Central Government Offices (CGO) and the former French Mission Building to law-related organisations. Together with the DoJ's offices in the Main Wing, East Wing and part of the West Wing of the former CGO, the area is intended to form a Legal Hub at the heart of Hong Kong. The Committee, chaired by the Secretary for Justice, was set up in December 2014 to consider the arrangements in relation to the provision of space in the Legal Hub and to accordingly advise the Secretary for Justice on other implementation details. The Committee comprises non-official members from the legal, business and other relevant sectors, as well as representatives from relevant Government departments. Taking into account the progress of the Legal Hub project, members of the Committee are re-appointed for 13 months to continue to advise on the project's development. The membership of the Committee is as follows (with effect from December 1, 2019): Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, Secretary for Justice (Chairman) Mr Chan Chak-ming Mr Stephen Lai Yuk-fai Dr Eddy Li Sau-hung Mr Stephen Liang Ms Kim M Rooney Representatives of the Chief Secretary for Administration's Office, the Architectural Services Department and the DoJ Ends/Sunday, December 1, 2019 Issued at HKT 15:00 NNNN
Statement by SJ
18.11.2019

A spokesman for the Department of Justice today (November 18) said that the Secretary for Justice has not yet recovered and required further treatment following the assault in London. She would provide an update as and when necessary after consulting medical advice. During this period, the Secretary will continue to handle her work as usual. She also expressed gratitude to all who send their kind wishes. Ends/Monday, November 18, 2019 Issued at HKT 19:46 NNNN
Secretary for Justice castigates the violent mob in London
15.11.2019

The Secretary for Justice castigates the violent mob in London today (November 14, London time) causing her serious bodily harm on her way to an event venue. The Secretary immediately made a report to the London Police and requested the Police to take the case seriously and put the culprits to justice. The Secretary denounces all forms of violence and radicalism depriving others' legitimate rights in the pretext of pursuing their political ideals, which would never be in the interest of Hong Kong and any civilised society. Ends/Friday, November 15, 2019 Issued at HKT 3:47 NNNN
Secretary for Justice to visit London
12.11.2019

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, will depart for London tomorrow night (November 13). She will meet with key figures in the UK business and legal sectors to promote Hong Kong's role as a dispute resolution and deal-making hub. Ms Cheng will deliver a speech entitled "The Search for Order within Chaos in the Evolution of ISDS" at the Alexander Lecture 2019 organised by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators on November 14. She will meet with key business leaders and senior legal practitioners to introduce the Department of Justice's latest initiatives in strengthening Hong Kong as a dispute resolution and deal-making hub, and update them on the latest legal developments in Hong Kong. She will also call on the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, Mr Liu Xiaoming. Ms Cheng will arrive in Hong Kong in the morning on November 18. Ends/Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Issued at HKT 18:00 NNNN
SJ to visit Guangzhou and Macao
8.11.2019

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, will depart for Guangzhou tomorrow afternoon (November 9) to attend the China Forum on International Legal Cooperation organised by the China Law Society the following day. She will deliver a speech at the plenary session of the Forum. Ms Cheng will arrive in Macao in the evening on November 11. She will attend a seminar on external legal affairs in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region the following day. Ms Cheng will return to Hong Kong on November 12. Ends/Friday, November 8, 2019 Issued at HKT 18:00 NNNN
Statement in response to report released by UK House of Commons
6.11.2019

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (November 6) vehemently rejects the allegation against the HKSAR in a report released by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom. Since the return to the Motherland, the HKSAR has been exercising a high degree of autonomy pursuant to the Basic Law. The "one country, two systems" principle has been fully and successfully implemented. Hong Kong has its own legal system and exercises independent judicial power, including the power of final adjudication, through its own courts. The judicial independence is constitutionally protected, as are the fundamental rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents, including the freedom of speech and the right of peaceful assembly, which are routinely exercised by them. Recent events have seen protestors deviated from peaceful means by resorting to escalating violence. The Government is committed to stopping violence which is fundamental in protecting the life and property of innocent people. Since its establishment on July 1, 1997, the Court of Final Appeal in almost all its full appeals has invited a judge from an overseas common law jurisdiction to sit on the Court. The judgments by the Court of Final Appeal, including that have been written by the common law non-permanent judges, are always widely recognised by local and overseas legal sector. We take strong exception to any attempt to politicise judicial appointments which are made by the Chief Executive on the recommendation of an independent Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission on the basis of their judicial and professional qualities. The core element of judicial independence should be sternly safeguarded by all jurisdictions which respect the rule of law. The HKSAR treasures judicial independence and the rule of law. We are confident that our system of inviting judges from other common law jurisdictions to sit on the Court of Final Appeal will continue to work well. Ends/Wednesday, November 6, 2019 Issued at HKT 21:47 NNNN
DoJ signed two MOUs at 3rd UNCITRAL Asia Pacific Judicial Summit (with photos)
4.11.2019

The Department of Justice (DoJ) signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Thailand and the United Nations (UN) respectively today (November 4) at the 3rd UNCITRAL Asia Pacific Judicial Summit (the Summit). The signing ceremony was witnessed by more than 150 guests who attended the Summit today from various international organisations and over 25 jurisdictions from all over the world. The MOUs signified an encouraging step in legal co-operation with international organisations and foreign jurisdictions. They were the third and the fourth instruments on enhancing exchanges signed by the DoJ this year, following the ones with Japan in January and Korea in September. To strengthen communication, collaboration and co-operation between Hong Kong and Thailand on issues relating to dispute avoidance and resolution, an MOU was signed by the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, and the Secretary-General of the Office of the Judiciary of Thailand, Mr Sarawut Benjakul, at the Summit. The MOU provides a general administrative framework for co-operation and facilitates development of the related services in both places. The second MOU was signed by the Secretary for Justice and the Director of International Trade Law Division of the UN, Ms Anna Joubin-Bret, for collaboration in the field of international trade law, and to promote the use of arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution to resolve disputes in international trade, commerce and investments. Signing of the MOUs will further promote Hong Kong's status as the leading centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region. The DoJ will continue to pursue and conclude co-operation or partnership arrangements with other jurisdictions and international organisations to raise the international profile of Hong Kong in deal making and dispute resolution. The Summit, co-organised by the Department of Justice, the UNCITRAL Regional Centre for Asia and the Pacific, and the Asian Academy of International Law, was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today. It is one of the events under the Hong Kong Legal Week 2019. Ends/Monday, November 4, 2019 Issued at HKT 17:28 NNNN
Investment Law and Investor-State Mediator Training Course co-organised by DoJ concluded successfully (with photos)
3.11.2019

World-renowned trainers in the international investment law and investor-state mediation were invited to share their knowledge and expertise at a one-week training course co-organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ), the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and the Asian Academy of International Law. The training course concluded successfully today (November 3). Following the success of the inaugural round last year, the Investment Law and Investor-State Mediator Training Course was held again this year commencing on October 28. At the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, said that the DoJ is devoted to developing Hong Kong into an international investment law and investment dispute resolution skills training base with a view to building up a team of investment mediators specialised in handling international investment disputes in Asia. Topics covered in this year's training include the fundamentals of international investment law, and topical issues raised in international investment disputes and dispute resolution process. The training course also engages participants through role play in investment mediation, and explores topics such as mediation process consideration and stakeholder mapping analysis for case studies. The training course attracted enthusiastic responses. About 40 participants from around the world, including government officials as well as legal and mediation practitioners from the Mainland, Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries, the Middle East, Africa and Hong Kong, gathered in Hong Kong for intellectual and professional exchange in these subject areas. The training course included a stellar line-up of participating trainers, comprising experts from the ICSID, International Energy Charter and the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution as well as experienced practitioners and academics in the field. With the conclusion of the investment agreement under the framework of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement on June 28, 2017, which provides mediation as a means of dispute resolution, the training course is one of the DoJ's related initiatives. Ends/Sunday, November 3, 2019 Issued at HKT 20:29 NNNN
Statement by SJ on announcement of retirement of Chief Justice
31.10.2019

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, today (October 31) made the following statement on the announcement of retirement of the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Geoffrey Ma Tao-li: I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, for his invaluable contribution to the Judiciary over the years in upholding the judicial independence, enhancing its transparency and service efficiency. Chief Justice Ma is dedicated to perfecting the judicial system of the Special Administrative Region. As the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Chief Justice Ma has spared no effort in explaining the way justice is administered in Hong Kong, thereby enhancing the public awareness of our legal system which is the key to its continuing utility and acceptance. Under his leadership, the Court of Final Appeal moved into the old Supreme Court located on Jackson Road in 2015, signifying a milestone in the history of the Judiciary. The completion of the West Kowloon Law Courts Building in 2016 also provided much needed space for the effective operation of courts. Chief Justice Ma is endeavoured to maintain the best quality judges in the Hong Kong Judiciary. He proposed to extend the retirement ages of judges at all levels of court to retain talents and attract candidates with professional qualities to join the Judiciary. During his tenure, non-permanent judges from other common law jurisdictions of the Court of Final Appeal are of eminent reputation. The Right Honourable the Baroness Brenda Hale of Richmond and the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, PC, are the first two female judges appointed to the Court of Final Appeal. Their appointment marked a historic moment in Hong Kong. Chief Justice Ma is well respected by the local legal sector and among the international community. He was appointed a Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court in 2001, and then appointed a Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court until he was appointed the Chief Judge of the High Court in 2003 to lead the High Court both judicially and administratively. He also implemented and promoted the Civil Justice Reform. He was subsequently appointed the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal in September 2010. Chief Justice Ma is acknowledged as a model exemplifying the highest standard of professionalism by administering justice in a fair and impartial manner. With his charming personality, Chief Justice Ma is well liked by the legal sector and his colleagues in the Judiciary. On behalf of the Department of Justice, I convey our sincere appreciation to Chief Justice Ma and wish him a happy retirement. Ends/Thursday, October 31, 2019 Issued at HKT 20:34 NNNN
SJ to attend 4th Qianhai Legal Intelligence Forum
31.10.2019

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, will depart for Shenzhen tomorrow afternoon (November 1) to attend the 4th Qianhai Legal Intelligence Forum on November 2 and a mock hearing activity under the "Seminars on Adjudicating with Common Law Concepts" series on November 3. The forum, jointly organised by the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court, the Bureau of Justice of Shenzhen Municipality, the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality (Qianhai Authority) and the Shenzhen Law Society, carries the theme "International Commercial Mediation: International Experience and Chinese Practice". At the forum, Ms Cheng will deliver a speech on "Recent Developments and Practical Experiences of International Commercial Mediation", and attend the "Mediate First" Pledge Ceremony co-organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ) together with the Bureau of Justice of Shenzhen Municipality and the Qianhai Authority. The "Mediate First" Pledge campaign was launched by the DoJ to promote the use of mediation to resolve disputes. This will be the second "Mediate First" Pledge event held by the DoJ outside Hong Kong, following the first in August this year successfully held in Shanghai. In the morning on November 3, Ms Cheng will attend a mock hearing activity under the "Seminars on Adjudicating with Common Law Concepts" series, jointly organised by the DoJ and the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court. This is another event organised under the Framework Arrangement on legal exchange and mutual learning signed by the DoJ and the High People's Court of Guangdong Province in September this year. Hong Kong legal practitioners are invited to demonstrate a mock hearing to enhance Mainland judges' understanding of Hong Kong's court proceedings and to promote exchange between the legal community of the Mainland and Hong Kong. Upon her arrival in Shenzhen tomorrow, Ms Cheng will attend a dinner hosted by the Shenzhen Municipal Government in the evening. Ms Cheng will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon on November 3. Ends/Thursday, October 31, 2019 Issued at HKT 18:00 NNNN