kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Inter-School Law Quiz Competition cultivates law-abiding spirit in new generation (with photos)
27.6.2022

The Grand Final of the Inter-School Law Quiz Competition for primary school students, organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ) and supported by the Education Bureau, was successfully held today (June 27) at the M+ museum. Five teams from different primary schools got into the Grand Final to compete with their knowledge and understanding of the Constitution, the Basic Law, the rule of law and Hong Kong's legal system. The competition was one of the rule of law education events under the DoJ's Vision 2030 for Rule of Law initiative, and is also one of the celebratory events for the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Addressing the event, the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, praised the outstanding performance of the students, and expressed her pride and full confidence in the younger generation. Ms Cheng said, "I hope that all of you will keep your passion and put in effort to study, contributing to society with the spirit of the rule of law." ​Students joining the competition have studied on their own the reference materials provided by the DoJ to grasp a better understanding of the rule of law, which in turn consolidated their law-abiding awareness. Competition was very keen in the Grand Final, in particular during the buzzer round, in which fully prepared students were eager for a chance to answer questions, demonstrating what they have learned and their knowledge on the subject. The champion prize went to Ying Wa Primary School, the second runner-up was Fuk Wing Street Government Primary School, and the third runner-up was Yuen Long Public Middle School Alumni Association Tang Ying Yip Primary School. Po Leung Kuk Luk Hing Too Primary School and Po Leung Kuk Hong Kong Taoist Association Yuen Yuen Primary School both won merit prizes. Leung Kui Kau Lutheran Primary School captured the best participation prize. The Law Quiz Competition Series, aiming to enhance students' law-abiding awareness and cultivate their law-abiding spirit, comprised two parts. Part I was the Online Law Quiz Game, which successfully concluded in November 2021, with a total participation of nearly 2 000 primary school students. Part II of the series, the Inter-School Law Quiz Competition, also received an enthusiastic response, with 42 teams from 39 schools participating. The DoJ has organised a number of activities for primary and secondary school students under the Vision 2030 for Rule of Law initiative. Other events include "Rule of Law through Drama" touring performances for schools, school talks, Rule of Law Journey and the "Key to the Future" Short Video Competition. The DoJ will continue to roll out different activities for schools and students to put into practice the department's motto "Rule of Law and Justice for All". For more details of the competition and to revisit the Grand Final, please visit the dedicated website for the Law Quiz Competition Series ( www.lawquizcompetition.hk ). Ends/Monday, June 27, 2022 Issued at HKT 18:10 NNNN
Department of Justice alerts public to fraudulent email
27.6.2022

The Department of Justice today (June 27) appealed to members of the public to stay alert to a fraudulent email claimed to have been sent by "Ms Teresa Cheng, GBM, GBS, SC, JP, Secretary for Justice" under the email account "joy4life711@gmail.com". The department has no connection with the fraudulent email and has reported the case to the Police for further investigation. Members of the public are reminded not to open any suspicious email. Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the email sender or clicked the link in the email is advised to contact the Police. Ends/Monday, June 27, 2022 Issued at HKT 16:00 NNNN
Transcript of remarks at press conference on Principal Official appointments (2) (with video)
19.6.2022

Reporter: My question is for Mr Cheuk. You were the Director of the Government's Dialogue Office amid the social unrest. Would you do anything to create chances for dialogues to mend the rift in the 2019 social unrest? Thanks. Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration (designate): Thank you for your question. I'm not sure that we want to look at communication with the public just only in terms of creation of dialogue sessions. As the Chief Executive(-elect) has just mentioned, I think we will adopt a multifaceted and all-out approach to reach out to our people. We will be visiting districts and I think, despite the question earlier put to the Chief Executive-elect that he is giving "exclusive" interviews to Ta Kung and Wen Wei, I think we don't just look at those two interviews. Actually, the Chief Executive-elect has spoken to the media at large at earlier stages, and I think his messages were put across very clearly. So I would like to approach this issue that way. Thank you. (to be continued.) Ends/Sunday, June 19, 2022 Issued at HKT 19:34 NNNN
International Organizations (Privileges and Immunities) (AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre) Order gazetted
17.6.2022

The International Organizations (Privileges and Immunities) (AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre) Order was gazetted today (June 17). The Order seeks to recognise the legal status of the AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and implement the privileges and immunities as provided under the Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) on the Establishment of a Regional Centre for Arbitration in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, done at New York on November 10, 2021. The Order was made by the Chief Executive in Council under the International Organizations (Privileges and Immunities) Ordinance (Cap 558). A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said, "In order to implement the Agreement, we need to, among other things, declare that certain provisions of the Agreement relating to the status of the Centre and to the privileges and immunities of the Centre and its personnel have the force of law in Hong Kong." Regional arbitration centres under the auspices of AALCO function as international institutions with the objective of promoting international commercial arbitration in the Asian and African regions and providing for the conducting of international arbitration. Adding to the five existing regional arbitration centres of AALCO, the Centre will seek to integrate itself in the AALCO dispute settlement system and perform a variety of tasks, including providing facilities for alternative dispute resolution services, assisting in the enforcement of arbitral awards, and promoting the growth and effective functioning of arbitration and other dispute resolution services, including online dispute resolution services. "The establishment of the AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre constitutes a significant vote of confidence in the HKSAR's position as a leading centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region. Implementation of the Agreement will further enhance our status in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond," the spokesperson said. The Order will be tabled before the Legislative Council on June 22, 2022, for negative vetting, and will come into operation on November 17, 2022. Ends/Friday, June 17, 2022 Issued at HKT 11:00 NNNN
SJ pays home visits under Celebrations for All project in Eastern District (with photos/video)
14.6.2022

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, today (June 14) visited Eastern District to distribute gift packs in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), promoting the spirit of unity and inclusiveness in the community. After attending the launch ceremony of home visits under the Celebrations for All project in Eastern District at North Point Community Hall, Ms Cheng commenced the programme by visiting an elderly person living alone at Oi Tung Estate in Shau Kei Wan and an elderly doubleton household in Quarry Bay in the company of the District Officer (Eastern), Mr Simon Chan. She learnt about their daily life and also extended her warm regards by distributing gift packs to share with them the joy of the 25th anniversary celebrations. Ms Cheng said, "This year marks the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to our motherland, signifying the important milestone of the implementation of the Basic Law and 'one country, two systems' in the HKSAR for a quarter of a century. I hope to extend my warm regards to the elderly during the visits, and also share with them the happiness of the anniversary." She also thanked the community organisations and volunteers participating in the Celebrations for All project for continuing the home visits and gift pack distribution for the disadvantaged. The Celebrations for All project is one of the major events to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR. With funding from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the project has been implemented by the 18 District Offices under the Home Affairs Department together with non-governmental organisations and community organisations in the districts to spread the joy of the anniversary to the underprivileged. Ends/Tuesday, June 14, 2022 Issued at HKT 16:41 NNNN
Second GBA Legal Professional Examination successfully held
11.6.2022

The 2022 GBA Legal Professional Examination (GBA Exam) was successfully held in Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Zhuhai today (June 11). The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, said, "We are truly grateful to the Central Government's and the Ministry of Justice's full support for organising the second GBA Exam and the setting up of examination venue in Hong Kong again, thereby providing invaluable opportunities to Hong Kong legal practitioners. Through the GBA Exam, more Hong Kong legal practitioners familiar with the laws of both places will be available to provide professional services for the development of the Greater Bay Area (GBA), enabling them to have in-depth participation in the building up of the rule of law in the GBA, thereby achieving a win-win outcome." The GBA Exam, first held last year, is a liberalisation measure under the Agreement on Trade in Services to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement. After passing the examination and obtaining the relevant practice certificate, Hong Kong legal practitioners, including solicitors and barristers, with accumulated legal practice experience of five years or above, are allowed to provide legal services in the nine Mainland municipalities in the GBA on specified civil and commercial legal matters to which the Mainland laws apply. They will also enjoy the same privileges and be under the same obligations as Mainland lawyers. In the nine Mainland municipalities in the GBA, they can be retained by Mainland law firms and partnership associations of Mainland law firms and Hong Kong or Macao law firms, and can also become partners of partnership law firms. The Ministry of Justice and the Department of Justice signed a memorandum of understanding in June 2021 on the relevant work relating to the GBA Exam to be held in Hong Kong. The DoJ is responsible for co-ordinating with the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority in handling examination-related work. Ends/Saturday, June 11, 2022 Issued at HKT 17:33 NNNN
SJ receives fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine (with photo)
6.6.2022

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, today (June 6) received her fourth dose of the Sinovac vaccine at the Community Vaccination Centre at Java Road Sports Centre. "As the protection by vaccine may wane with time, I appeal to those who are eligible to receive their fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine in a timely manner, and those who have yet to be vaccinated to act now. It is of utmost importance to build up immunity against the pandemic," said Ms Cheng. She also thanked the healthcare workers and staff members of the centre and encouraged the public to make reservations for vaccination through the designated COVID-19 Vaccination Programme webpage . Ends/Monday, June 6, 2022 Issued at HKT 11:36 NNNN
Legal and financial experts review and discuss National Security Law at legal forum (with photos)
28.5.2022

The National Security Law (NSL) Legal Forum under the theme "Thrive with Security", organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ), was held today (May 28) to commemorate the second anniversary of the Decision of the National People's Congress (NPC) on Establishing and Improving the Legal System and Enforcement Mechanisms for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to Safeguard National Security ("528 Decision"). Senior government officials, world-renowned legal and financial experts and academics were invited to share their insights on the NSL and national security issues to enhance the public's understanding of the concept of national security. The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam; Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Mr Wang Linggui; and Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Mr Luo Yonggang delivered their welcome remarks at the opening ceremony. Deputy Director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the NPC Mr Zhang Yong; the Head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Mr Zheng Yanxiong; the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR, Mr Liu Guangyuan; former Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Mr Deng Zhonghua; and the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, delivered their keynote speeches at the forum, speaking on the legal basis and significance of the "528 Decision", reviewing the development of the legal system in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR after the enactment and implementation of the NSL, as well as exploring the way forward for further establishment and improvement of the legal system in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. Ms Cheng highlighted that national security is the cornerstone for promoting national prosperity and strength, assuring a good life for the people, maintaining social harmony and stability, and realising "Security brings Prosperity" and "Thrive with Security". She said that the NSL has brought Hong Kong back on track and created a favourable environment for the development of international businesses, trade and finance, legal services, etc. At the three panel sessions, legal and financial experts and academics as well as government officials had in-depth discussions on the comparative study of cases under the NSL and national security cases in foreign jurisdictions, frontier issues in safeguarding national security, and refining the legal framework of the HKSAR on safeguarding national security, sharing their invaluable views and insights on the subjects. This is the second NSL legal forum organised by the DoJ, following the success of the one entitled "Security Brings Prosperity" held last year. Ends/Saturday, May 28, 2022 Issued at HKT 19:10 NNNN
HKSAR Government and UNIDROIT sign memorandum of understanding for collaboration relating to private international law and international commercial law (with photos)
27.5.2022

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC and the President of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT), Professor Maria Chiara Malaguti, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the administrative arrangements for collaboration relating to private international law and international commercial law at a virtual signing ceremony today (May 27). This is the second MoU concluded between the Department of Justice (DoJ) and UNIDROIT, following the signing of the first MoU in May 2021, which put in place the arrangements for the secondment of Hong Kong legal professionals to the Secretariat of UNIDROIT. Ms Cheng said in her opening remarks that the signing of the MoU opened a new chapter in the close co-operation between the DoJ and UNIDROIT, and laid the foundation for the enhanced collaboration between the two parties in the field of private international law. Ms Cheng also announced that, under the MoU, the DoJ and UNIDROIT will be jointly launching the inaugural Asia-Pacific Private International Law Summit in Hong Kong in November this year as one of the flagship events of Hong Kong Legal Week 2022. Ms Cheng expressed her deep gratitude to UNIDROIT for their continuing trust in and support to the DoJ, as well as to the Central People's Government for their staunch support in the conclusion of the MoU. The virtual signing ceremony was technically supported by the technical partner, eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre. Ends/Friday, May 27, 2022 Issued at HKT 18:13 NNNN
Vision 2030 for Rule of Law International Symposium promotes understanding among different jurisdictions (with photos)
26.5.2022

The Vision 2030 for Rule of Law International Symposium, co-organised by the Department of Justice, the Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council and the Asian Academy of International Law, was held today (May 26) in a hybrid format, bringing together officials and renowned legal experts and academics from all over the world to examine the understanding and practice of the rule of law under various jurisdictions. The Vision 2030 Task Force Report was also launched at the Symposium. The Symposium, also one of the celebratory events for the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), was launched by the welcoming remarks made by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, followed by an opening speech by the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR, Mr Liu Guangyuan. Judge Xue Hanqin of the International Court of Justice and the Chairman of the Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council and former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Professor Surakiart Sathirathai, also delivered their keynote speeches. At the three panel sessions, eminent speakers from varied fields shared their valuable experience and insights on three seminal issues: (1) rule of law under international law; (2) fundamental elements of the rule of law; and (3) practice of the rule of law in different cultural contexts, thereby facilitating mutual exchanges on the understanding and practice of the rule of law among different jurisdictions. In her closing remarks, the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, said that the Vision 2030 for Rule of Law (Vision 2030) initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2020 was inspired by the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and in particular its Goal 16 which advocates "promoting the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensuring equal access of justice for all". She said that as an international city with a strong rule of law tradition, Hong Kong is most willing to contribute to Goal 16, hoping that not only Hong Kong but those jurisdictions with which the city interacts will further strengthen the development and practice of the rule of law. Ms Cheng also officiated at the launch of the Vision 2030 Task Force Report, which details the fruits of the Department of Justice's and the Task Force's intensive work since the launch of Vision 2030 in devising a methodology for objectively reviewing the development and practice of the rule of law as well as on promoting the proper understanding and recognition of the rule of law, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of inclusive and fair societies at both the local and international levels. For more information on the Vision 2030 for Rule of Law International Symposium, please visit www.legalhub.gov.hk . For the full text of the Vision 2030 Task Force Report, please visit www.v2030.hk . Ends/Thursday, May 26, 2022 Issued at HKT 18:15 NNNN
Submissions from NGOs invited for study and further work relating to reviewing practice of rule of law in region and beyond
26.5.2022

The Department of Justice (DoJ) today (May 26) invited non-profit making non-governmental organisations (NGOs) based in Hong Kong to make submissions to take forward the study and further work relating to reviewing the practice of rule of law in the region and beyond through public-private partnership. The DoJ launched the Vision 2030 for Rule of Law initiative in 2020 to promote the proper understanding and recognition of the rule of law, thereby contributing to sustainable development of inclusive and fair societies at both the domestic and international levels. To advance the work for effective implementation of the initiative, the Task Force on Vision 2030 for Rule of Law comprising internationally renowned experts and academics was established to advise the Government on its proposal to achieve the intended policy objective. Under the guidance of the Task Force, the DoJ launched a rule of law database, which sets out a proposed methodology for reviewing the practice of rule of law based on objective data and information, in November 2021. The Task Force advised that it is necessary to take into account the uniqueness of different jurisdictions' rule of law practices such as their cultural, geographical, socio-political, economic and legal tradition, and hence further development and refinement to the database would be necessary. Further explanation and illustration of the methodology are set out in the Vision 2030 Task Force Report launched today during the Vision 2030 for Rule of Law International Symposium. In addition, the Task Force also supported various regional and international capacity building activities taken forward by the DoJ. To continue taking forward the study and further work in relation to the above through public-private partnership, independent NGOs based in Hong Kong with relevant background and expertise in the promotion and study of reviewing the practice of rule of law in Hong Kong and in the region and beyond are invited to make a submission to the DoJ. The DoJ will use its best endeavours to provide the necessary support for the study and work by the selected entity. Interested entities should make a submission (including all necessary supporting information and documents demonstrating inter alia, their relevant experience and expertise, and the level of commitment and appreciation of the above initiatives as well as the business plan required to take forward the relevant study and work) on or before June 16, 2022, to the Inclusive Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Office, Department of Justice, 7/F, Main Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong, for consideration. The DoJ may also request supplementary information as necessary. For more details, please visit the DoJ's website . Ends/Thursday, May 26, 2022 Issued at HKT 18:33 NNNN