kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
SJ visits Shanghai to boost ties with Mainland legal sectors (with photos)
19.8.2019

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, began her visit in Shanghai today (August 19). Joined by a number of Hong Kong legal and dispute resolution practitioners, Ms Cheng met with officials of the Shanghai Government and representatives from the professional sectors in the Mainland. They also visited the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice and Mainland courts to exchange views on legal co-operation between Shanghai and Hong Kong. In the morning, they met with the Vice Mayor of the Shanghai Municipal Government, Mr Xu Kunlin. She gave an update on Hong Kong's legal services. The practitioners shared their experience and exchanged views with the Shanghai government officials at the meeting. Afterwards, they met with the Director of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice, Mr Lu Weidong, and representatives from Shanghai Bar Association to follow up on the issues relating to the "Co-operation Arrangement on Legal Matters between the Department of Justice of the HKSAR Government and the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice" signed last year. They also agreed to strengthen co-operations and exchanges on legal and dispute resolution services between the two places. In the afternoon, the group called on the President of Shanghai Maritime Court, Mr Wang Tong. The practitioners were given to have a better understanding of the latest developments of judicial artificial intelligence of the maritime court. They then visited the Court of Arbitration for Sport Shanghai Alternative Hearing Centre to meet with the Commissioner, Mr Chen Yiping. They also had a meeting with the Executive Vice President of China Shipowners' Association, Mr Zhang Shouguo, and the Director of China Classification Society Shanghai Branch, Mr Meng Lingyi. During the meeting, Ms Cheng gave an update on Hong Kong's latest developments as a major centre for maritime law and dispute resolution services, adding that the Department of Justice has been promoting maritime arbitration in Hong Kong. Ms Cheng and the practitioners also encouraged them to choose the law of Hong Kong as the applicable law and choose Hong Kong as the place for arbitral proceedings. Ms Cheng will return to Hong Kong tonight. Other delegates from the Department of Justice and the practitioners will continue the visit in Shanghai tomorrow (August 20). Ends/Monday, August 19, 2019 Issued at HKT 21:07 NNNN
Secretary for Justice to visit Shanghai
17.8.2019

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, will visit Shanghai from August 18 to 20. During the visit, Ms Cheng together with Hong Kong legal and dispute resolution practitioners will meet with officials of the Shanghai Government and visit Mainland courts. They will also meet with representatives from the professional sectors in the Mainland to exchange views on legal co-operation between Shanghai and Hong Kong and other matters of mutual interest. On August 20, they will attend the "Mediate First Pledge" Event, co-organised by the Department of Justice, the Shanghai Law Society and the Shanghai Commercial Mediation Centre, in Shanghai. This is the first time the series of "Mediate First Pledge" Event to be held outside Hong Kong. Ms Cheng will speak at the event to encourage greater understanding of the concept of "mediate first" and the use of mediation by different sectors to resolve different types of disputes, as well as promoting the mediation services of Hong Kong. Ms Cheng will return to Hong Kong on August 20. Ends/Saturday, August 17, 2019 Issued at HKT 16:41 NNNN
Statement by Department of Justice
7.8.2019

In response to a source quoted today (August 7) as someone saying that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has proposed to establish a so-called "independent prosecution committee", the Secretary for Justice and the DPP confirm that the report is totally unfounded and they are deeply disappointed over it. Ends/Wednesday, August 7, 2019 Issued at HKT 14:35 NNNN
DoJ's response to procession by members of legal profession
7.8.2019

DoJ's response to procession by members of legal profession In response to the procession by certain members of the legal profession today (August 7), a spokesman for the Department of Justice (DoJ) issued the following statement: Prosecutors of the DoJ always uphold the constitutional duty under Article 63 of the Basic Law in handling all prosecution works in a fair and impartial manner. Article 63 of the Basic Law provides that "the DoJ of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall control criminal prosecutions, free from any interference". In making decisions of whether or not to prosecute in each case, the DoJ must make an objective and professional assessment of the available evidence and applicable law, and act in accordance with the Prosecution Code. The DoJ will not handle the cases differently due to the political beliefs or background of the persons involved. Any person suspected of breaking the law, including when acts of violence or vandalism are involved, the decision on prosecution and related charges will be made in accordance with the above principles and there is no political consideration. All investigations are conducted by law enforcement agencies which will, after completion of investigation and when necessary, refer the cases to the DoJ for making independent prosecutional decisions. The time required for making prosecutional decisions depends on a number of factors, including the time required for law enforcement agencies to conduct the investigation, the amount of evidence and the nature and complexity of the cases. The Secretary for Justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the prosecution team have all along been discharging their prosecutorial duties fairly and without prejudice or favour so as to safeguard criminal justice. In addition, the Secretary for Justice and DoJ colleagues have all along maintained communication with different parties in the legal and dispute resolution sectors. A number of meetings with representatives of these sectors to exchange views and suggestions on the present situation and the Policy Address have been held recently. The DoJ will continue to liaise with other members of these sectors to meet and is willing to listen to the views of the legal and dispute resolution sectors on appropriate occasions. Ends/Wednesday, August 7, 2019 Go to Top
Recruitment arrangement for Government Counsel applicants announced
2.8.2019

The Department of Justice today (August 2) reminded potential applicants for the post of Government Counsel (GC) that they are required to obtain a certain level of results in the Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) in order to qualify for the post. The GC recruitment exercise will be conducted around late August/early September this year. Similar to last year's recruitment exercise, applicants will be required to obtain a Level 2 result in the Use of English (UE) paper and a Level 1 result in the Use of Chinese (UC) paper of the CRE. In this connection, Level 5 or above in English Language in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSEE) or Grade C or above in Use of English in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) or Grade C or above in English Language in the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) are accepted as equivalent to Level 2 in the UE paper of the CRE. Furthermore, Level 4 in Chinese Language in the HKDSEE or Grade D in Chinese Language and Culture or Chinese Language and Literature in the HKALE are accepted as equivalent to Level 1 in the UC paper of the CRE. Other equivalent qualifications can also be found at www.csb.gov.hk/english/recruit/cre/949.html . Under exceptional circumstances a limited number of applicants who do not meet the requisite Chinese language requirement may be appointed, subject to the operational needs of the department. Since 2008, applicants for the GC post should also take a Basic Law Test (BLT). While not mandatory, the results of the BLT will be taken into account in considering the suitability of a candidate for appointment. The next CRE and BLT will be held on October 5 and 12, in Hong Kong. Prospective GC applicants without the requisite results in the CRE or equivalent and/or those who wish to take the BLT are invited to apply between August 2 and 15, for sitting the relevant examination and/or test. Further information on the CRE and BLT is available on the homepage of the Civil Service Bureau (under the ‘Recruitment’ section) at www.csb.gov.hk . Ends/Friday, August 2, 2019 Issued at HKT 15:30 NNNN
SJ explores legal collaboration in Greater Bay Area (with photos)
25.7.2019

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, arrived in Guangzhou today (July 25). She visited the High People's Court of Guangdong Province and the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province to exchange views on matters relating to legal and dispute resolution services in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and to look into opportunities for strengthening collaboration in the area. In the morning, Ms Cheng met with the President of the High People's Court of Guangdong Province, Mr Gong Jiali. They discussed the legal development in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and ways to encourage and facilitate relevant units in the Greater Bay Area to launch projects on legal aspects for mutual exchanges. Ms Cheng met with the Director-General of the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province, Mr Zeng Xianglu, in the afternoon. They discussed Guangdong Province's liberalisation measures in respect of legal services under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and further collaboration in the Greater Bay Area. Ms Cheng will return to Hong Kong in the evening. Ends/Thursday, July 25, 2019 Issued at HKT 16:00 NNNN
Secretary for Justice to visit Guangzhou
24.7.2019

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, will depart for Guangzhou tomorrow morning (July 25). She will visit the High People's Court and the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province to explore opportunities for further collaboration. Ms Cheng will return to Hong Kong in the evening on the same day. Ends/Wednesday, July 24, 2019 Issued at HKT 16:00 NNNN
SJ explores co-operation on dispute avoidance and resolution services with Mainland (with photos)
18.7.2019

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, started her visit in Beijing today (July 18) by meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Supreme People's Court to promote Hong Kong's legal as well as dispute avoidance and resolution services. She also exchanged views with Mainland counterparts on the latest development of the related issues internationally and in the Mainland (including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area). She said she was pleased to learn that the Central Government supports Hong Kong as a centre for arbitration and mediation in the Asia-Pacific region. In the morning, Ms Cheng met with the Vice Minister of Justice, Mr Xiong Xuanguo, to explore opportunities for further bilateral collaboration in respect of legal services under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and the Greater Bay Area. She then met with the Director-General of the Department of Treaty and Law of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Jia Guide. They exchanged views on the dispute avoidance and resolution services under the Belt and Road Initiative. Ms Cheng called on the Vice-president of the Supreme People's Court, Mr Yang Wanming, followed by a visit to the Beijing Internet Court and the Beijing Intellectual Property Court in the afternoon, to have a better understanding of the use of modern technology to resolve disputes. Both sides exchanged views on the development of dispute avoidance and resolution services in the Greater Bay Area. Accompanying Ms Cheng on the visit included the Commissioner of the Inclusive Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Office and government counsel from the Civil Division, the Legal Policy Division and the International Law Division of the Department of Justice. Ms Cheng will attend the second Belt and Road Joint Conference with other government officials and representatives tomorrow (July 19), to discuss matters relating to Hong Kong's participation in and contribution to the Belt and Road Initiative. Ms Cheng will return to Hong Kong in the morning on July 20. Ends/Thursday, July 18, 2019 Issued at HKT 18:45 NNNN
Secretary for Justice to visit Beijing
16.7.2019

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, will leave for Beijing tomorrow afternoon (July 17). During her stay, Ms Cheng will meet with representatives from the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Supreme People's Court and visit the Beijing Internet Court. She will also attend the second Belt and Road Joint Conference. Ms Cheng will return to Hong Kong on the morning of July 20. Ends/Tuesday, July 16, 2019 Issued at HKT 17:00 NNNN
Secondment agreement between DoJ and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank signed
30.6.2021

The Department of Justice (DoJ) signed a secondment agreement with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) yesterday (June 29) for the secondment of a DoJ legal officer to the legal department of AIIB for 12 months commencing on August 23. Through participating in the work of international organisations, local legal talent will expand their knowledge of the operation of international organisations and broaden their horizons through learning from international law experts. It will also facilitate the sustainable development of the Hong Kong legal community and the development of Hong Kong's position as a leading international legal and dispute resolution services centre. The department is grateful to the AIIB, a multilateral development bank with members from all over the world, for providing the secondee a valuable opportunity to work in and learn from its operation. Meanwhile, the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) has also confirmed the arrangement for one counsel from the DoJ and one lawyer from the private sector to commence their six-month secondment programme in September 2021 and February 2022 respectively, under the memorandum of understanding between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the HCCH signed in December last year. The DoJ has also put in place programmes to second local legal talents to the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, and it is expected that the respective secondment will commence in the near future. The department will continue to explore with other renowned international organisations to provide Hong Kong legal professionals in both the public and private sectors with more secondment opportunities. Ends/Wednesday, June 30, 2021 Issued at HKT 16:30 NNNN
National Security Law Legal Forum to be held on July 5
29.6.2021

The National Security Law Legal Forum entitled "Security Brings Prosperity", organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ), will be held on July 5. The Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (National Security Law), which was promulgated and took effect on June 30, 2020, has been implemented for almost a year. To enhance understanding and awareness of the National Security Law, the DoJ will hold a legal forum bringing together legal experts and academics to discuss and exchange views on the application and interpretation of the National Security Law. The Legal Forum comprises a series of keynote speeches given by distinguished speakers, and three panel discussions which will examine the substantive and procedural aspects of the National Security Law and deliver a comparative study of national security laws of other jurisdictions. The National Security Law Legal Forum will be held online. For more information on the event and the live webcast arrangements, please visit the dedicated website . Ends/Tuesday, June 29, 2021 Issued at HKT 12:00 NNNN
"Why Hong Kong" webinar series successfully concluded (with photos)
25.6.2021

The "Why Invest in Hong Kong - A Look to the Future" webinar was held successfully today (June 25). The event is the last session of the "Why Hong Kong" webinar series, co-organised by the Department of Justice, the Asian Academy of International Law and Invest Hong Kong, to showcase Hong Kong's strength and to illustrate Hong Kong's irreplaceable role to the international community. The webinar was attended by prominent legal professionals and renowned business leaders who deliberated on various promising prospects of investing in Hong Kong - the indispensable nexus between China and the world. Chairman of Fung Group and 2022 Foundation, Dr Victor Fung, delivered the keynote speech on "Window of Opportunity: The Greater Bay Area - Creating Hong Kong's Long-Term Competitiveness". He remarked that with the sturdy foundation of Hong Kong as a global financial centre and an international legal hub for deal-making and dispute resolution, it is beyond doubt that yet more investors around the world shall be drawn to this vibrant city. The three panel discussions at the webinar addressed the pivotal topics of "Investing in and through Hong Kong", "Investment Infrastructure in Hong Kong - New Initiatives in Legal and Finance" and "Hong Kong Going Forward in the Wake of China's Future Development". The discussions provided valuable insights as to how Hong Kong could grasp the opportunities brought about by the 14th Five-year Plan and the Greater Bay Area. The "Why Hong Kong" series comprising four webinars answered some "Why Hong Kong" questions, and further promoted the international community's understanding of Hong Kong's unique advantages, which in turn strengthens confidence in Hong Kong's long-term economic development and competitiveness. The full event will be uploaded later to the dedicated website . Ends/Friday, June 25, 2021 Issued at HKT 19:05 NNNN
HKSAR Government and Law Society sign MoU on Legal Talent Recruitment Scheme (Trainee Solicitors) (with photos)
25.6.2021

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, signed a memorandum of understanding with the President of the Law Society of Hong Kong, Ms Melissa Pang, on the administration of the Legal Talent Recruitment Scheme (Trainee Solicitors) today (June 25). Funded by the Anti-epidemic Fund, the Scheme provides a monthly salary subsidy of $6,800 for a maximum of 12 months to each eligible law firm for one newly created job opening for a trainee solicitor, with up to 130 new job openings for trainee solicitors in total. The Scheme will not only create new job opportunities during the time of the pandemic, but will also ensure a steady and sufficient supply of legal talents in alignment with Government's policy objectives to nurture legal talents to advance the rule of law and strengthen Hong Kong's development as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services under the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development plan. The Scheme will be open for application from July 5 to November 5, 2021. The Law Society of Hong Kong will be responsible for administering the Scheme, including processing and assessing the applications, as well as arranging disbursement of the subsidy. For more details on the Scheme, please visit the homepage of the Law Society of Hong Kong . Ms Cheng expressed her appreciation to the Law Society of Hong Kong for developing and administering the Scheme, which is expected to benefit young professionals and the legal sector in general. Ends/Friday, June 25, 2021 Issued at HKT 13:23 NNNN
Inaugural GBA Legal Professional Examination to be held on July 31 with examination venues set up in Hong Kong
24.6.2021

The Department of Justice (DoJ) welcomed the notice issued today (June 24) by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) on the GBA Legal Professional Examination (GBA Examination). The inaugural GBA Examination was originally scheduled to be held on January 30, 2021, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The MoJ announced that the GBA Examination would be held on July 31, with new examination venues set up in Hong Kong in addition to those in Shenzhen and Zhuhai. For more details, please visit: www.moj.gov.cn/pub/sfbgw/zwxxgk/fdzdgknr/fdzdgknrtzwj/202106/t20210624_428578.html (in Chinese only). Legal practitioners who have previously enrolled in the GBA Examination should select an examination location and pay the relevant examination fees as early as possible through the website of the MoJ between July 2 and July 11. Candidates should adopt protective measures against COVID-19 and observe personal hygiene, and are strongly encouraged to receive a COVID-19 vaccination before taking the examination. On June 18, the MoJ and the DoJ signed a memorandum of understanding on the relevant work relating to the GBA Examination to be held in Hong Kong. The DoJ will co-ordinate with the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority to handle examination-related work. The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, said, "I am truly grateful to the MoJ for its effort all along on the implementation of the GBA Examination. The setting up of new examination venues in Hong Kong in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has brought great convenience to Hong Kong candidates. The DoJ will actively facilitate the organisation and implementation of the examination to be held in Hong Kong, with a view to running the examination smoothly." Ends/Thursday, June 24, 2021 Issued at HKT 18:36 NNNN