kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
HKSAR Government and eBRAM sign MoU on Hong Kong Legal Cloud service provision (with photos)
22.12.2021

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chairman of the eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre, Dr Thomas So, to engage eBRAM as a service provider of the Hong Kong Legal Cloud services today (December 22). To enhance the capability of the legal profession to harness modern technology in the provision of legal and dispute resolution services and to encourage the local legal and dispute resolution communities to subscribe to the Hong Kong Legal Cloud services developed by a selected non-profit-making non-governmental body through public-private partnership, the Department of Justice will provide funding support of around $15.7 million (the Hong Kong Legal Cloud Fund) for this purpose. Eligible subscribers will be subsidised through the Hong Kong Legal Cloud Fund, which is administered by the Asian Academy of International Law on a pro bono basis and will in turn be used to finance the setup cost and initial operational and promotion costs through disbursement of subscription fees to the selected provider for up to three years. Upon careful consideration of the submissions and supplementary information provided by all the interested service providers in response to the relevant announcement by the department made in February 2021, eBRAM has been selected as the service provider of the Hong Kong Legal Cloud services. With support from the Hong Kong Legal Cloud Fund, eBRAM will develop an advanced and user-friendly online facility situated in Hong Kong to provide safe, secure and affordable data storage services for the local legal and dispute communities. Ms Cheng expressed her appreciation to eBRAM for supporting the department's latest lawtech initiatives to benefit a larger number of local legal and dispute resolution practitioners. For more details on the Hong Kong Legal Cloud, please visit the department's webpage . Ends/Wednesday, December 22, 2021 Issued at HKT 14:25 NNNN
Department of Justice releases "Prosecutions Hong Kong 2020"
22.12.2021

The Department of Justice (DoJ) today (December 22) published online "Prosecutions Hong Kong 2020" , which reviews the DoJ's prosecution work of last year. The DoJ is always committed to safeguarding the rule of law and judicial and prosecutorial independence, and to discharging the prosecutorial duties fearlessly, fairly and without prejudice. Noting that there were allegations in the past that the DoJ's prosecutorial decisions had been influenced by political considerations or pressure from parties outside the department, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms Maggie Yang, reiterated in the Director's Overview that all prosecutorial decisions made by the DoJ's prosecutors are based on applicable laws, the Prosecution Code and evidence. Prosecutions would be commenced only if there is sufficient admissible evidence to support a reasonable prospect of conviction and if it is in the public interest to do so. Apart from a detailed account of the key cases handled by each sub-division of the Prosecutions Division, this latest review also provides information on various outreach and training activities organised by the Division during the year. Ends/Wednesday, December 22, 2021 Issued at HKT 11:32 NNNN
Second GBA Legal Professional Examination to be held in June next year
15.12.2021

The Department of Justice (DoJ) welcomed the notice issued by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) yesterday (December 14) on the details of the 2022 GBA Legal Professional Examination. The examination will be held on June 11, 2022, in Shenzhen, Guangdong. Eligible applicants can apply to sit for the examination through the website of the MoJ from January 10 to 20, 2022. For more details, please visit: www.moj.gov.cn/pub/sfbgw/gwxw/xwyw/202112/t20211214_443709.html (in Chinese only). Hong Kong legal practitioners, including young 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 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) on specified civil and commercial legal matters to which the Mainland laws apply after passing the examination and obtaining the relevant lawyer's practice certificate. 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 Mainland law firms in the GBA. The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, said, "With the staunch support given by the Central Authority and the MoJ, we have successfully implemented the inaugural GBA Legal Professional Examination this year. With the announcement of 2022 examination details, the DoJ will continue to actively co-operate with the MoJ and the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province in implementing the examination. "To enhance their practical knowledge on handling of Mainland legal matters, Hong Kong legal practitioners who have passed the inaugural examination will participate in the intensive training and assessment arranged by the Guangdong Lawyers Association. I hope the Hong Kong legal services sector will seize the opportunities and join hands with their Mainland counterparts to provide the GBA enterprises with a one-stop shop for cross-border and cross-jurisdictional legal services, leading to a win-win situation." Ends/Wednesday, December 15, 2021 Issued at HKT 18:12 NNNN
SJ addresses more than 1 000 teachers on Basic Law and national security (with photos)
13.12.2021

Speaking at a joint school teachers' professional development day for 33 primary schools and kindergartens in Tai Po district, which was attended by more than 1 000 on-site and online participants today (December 13), the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, highlighted the importance of the Constitution, the Basic Law, safeguarding national security and the improved electoral system to deepen the education sector's correct understanding on these aspects. Ms Cheng first pointed out that the Constitution is the fundamental law of the state with the highest legal effect. In accordance with the Constitution, the National People's Congress (NPC) is the highest organ of state power and has the authority to introduce laws and other legal instruments, including making decisions. The decision on the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the adoption of the Basic Law was made by the NPC in accordance with the Constitution on April 4, 1990. Mrs Cheng further said that Article 1 of the Basic Law stipulates that the HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China, and "one country" is thereby the basis of "two systems". The Basic Law also guarantees that the courts of the HKSAR shall exercise judicial power independently, and criminal prosecutions of the Department of Justice are free from any interference. Ms Cheng explained that should a gap in national security emerge in Hong Kong making it difficult for the HKSAR to complete on its own the legislation for safeguarding national security in the foreseeable future, the NPC has the right and duty under the Constitution and the Basic Law to introduce the National Security Law. This is to improve at the national level the legal framework and enforcement mechanisms for national security for the HKSAR, closing national security loopholes by effectively preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for any act that endangers national security. Stressing that political security is fundamental to national security, Ms Cheng highlighted the NPC's decision, taking into account the actual situation of Hong Kong, to improve the electoral system of the HKSAR on a solid legal basis, fully demonstrating broad representation, political tolerance, balanced participation and fair competition, thereby promoting the realisation of good governance in Hong Kong, which is conducive to the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems". Ms Cheng said that she expects teachers to impart correct knowledge on the Constitution, the Basic Law and the National Security Law to the students. Lastly, she encouraged all voters to cast their votes in the Legislative Council election on December 19, with a view to building a brighter future for Hong Kong together. Ends/Monday, December 13, 2021 Issued at HKT 16:05 NNNN
Third Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area Legal Departments Joint Conference held virtually (with photos)
10.12.2021

Following the success of the second Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area Legal Departments Joint Conference held online last year on December 11, the third Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area Legal Departments Joint Conference was also held online due to pandemic prevention this afternoon (December 10). Those attending the third Joint Conference included the Director-General of the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province, Mr Chen Xudong; the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC; and the Secretary for Administration and Justice of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Mr Cheong Weng Chon. At the meeting, the three parties endorsed both the GBA Mediator Accreditation Standards and the GBA Mediator Code of Conduct Best Practice. The three parties further agreed to follow up on the establishment of the GBA Mediation Rules at the working level. In addition, the three parties actively exchanged views regarding arbitration, the support of Hong Kong and Macao legal practitioners practicing as lawyers in the nine Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and exchange and mutual learning within the three legal departments. Speaking at the Joint Conference, Ms Cheng pointed out that the three parties should make good use of the Joint Conference infrastructure in order to facilitate the harmonisation of the systems and laws in the Greater Bay Area, which will then contribute to its high-quality development. Ms Cheng also encouraged Hong Kong legal practitioners who passed the GBA Legal Professional Examination to deliver their legal services to individuals and corporations in need competently and diligently, thereby dedicating their professionalism to serving the nation's needs. Ms Cheng expressed gratitude to the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province for setting up the third Joint Conference. She said she looked forward to the fourth Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area Legal Departments Joint Conference, which will be held in Hong Kong next year. She expected to personally meet delegates from the other two sides by then. Ends/Friday, December 10, 2021 Issued at HKT 18:50 NNNN
Eminent speakers offer insights at 59th AALCO Annual Session (with photos)
1.12.2021

The 59th Annual Session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO), which came to a close today (December 1), brought together high-ranking diplomats and legal experts representing the member states as well as observer delegations representing governments and international organisations from across the globe to discuss important international law topics. The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, was elected the President of the 59th Annual Session of AALCO at the Inaugural Session and chaired the three-day meeting. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Central People's Government and AALCO for the full support in hosting the Annual Session in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for the first time. "Securing international organisations to hold decision-making conferences in Hong Kong strengthens our position as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region. To this end, the Department of Justice will continue to actively foster international legal co-operation and exchange," Ms Cheng said. The immediate past Secretary-General of AALCO, Professor Kennedy Gastorn, said, "The decision by China and AALCO to establish the AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre is of great significance. It will help expand the influence of AALCO, enhance regional co-operation, build Hong Kong into a centre for international legal and dispute resolution in the Asia-Pacific region, and promote the HKSAR's development. "Adding to the five existing regional arbitration centres of AALCO, the regional arbitration centre in Hong Kong 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 and assisting in the enforcement of arbitration awards, and to also promote the growth and effective functioning of arbitration and other dispute resolution services, including online dispute resolution (ODR) services. "I am confident that this newly established AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre will further advance the growth of ODR in the region and beyond." The 59th Annual Session was conducted in a hybrid mode, with both online and physical participants, for the very first time in the history of AALCO. Successfully hosting internationally influential events is important for Hong Kong as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region. It fully reflects the staunch national support of "one country, two systems" for Hong Kong to preserve the existing legal system, and to support, strengthen and enhance Hong Kong's international competitiveness. Ends/Wednesday, December 1, 2021 Issued at HKT 19:43 NNNN
AALCO Annual Session promotes online dispute resolution (with photo)
30.11.2021

Before the commencement of the second day of the 59th Annual Session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO), a side event entitled "Dispute Settlement - Online Dispute Resolution" was held in the afternoon today (November 30). In delivering her opening remarks at the side event, the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, said that the AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre has been established with a view to promoting the growth and effective functioning of, among others, online dispute resolution (ODR). She stressed that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been fostering the development of ODR on various fronts, citing its opting into the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Collaborative Framework on ODR and the launch of the Inclusive Global Legal Innovation Platform on ODR as examples. Ms Cheng further introduced to the participants the Workshop on ODR for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) trade organised with the support of the ASEAN Secretariat during Hong Kong Legal Week 2021 earlier this month in which international experts met to discuss the importance of ODR for cross-border trade. A presentation was then given by the Chief Executive Officer of the eBRAM International ODR Centre, Ms Emmanuelle Ta, who highlighted the ODR platform and lawtech services provided by eBRAM that aim to meet the expanding demand for dispute resolution services across borders. It was followed by a video interview with the Vice-Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration, Professor Mohamed Abdel Wahab, who shared with the audience his invaluable insights and experiences on ODR. At the roundtable discussion, guest speakers from the legal and dispute resolution sectors had an in-depth discussion on issues related to the recourse and opportunities arising from ODR. In his closing remarks at the side event, the Secretary-General of AALCO, Professor Kennedy Gastorn, noted the potential for the use of ODR for AALCO member states, particularly with reference to the experience of eBRAM and its procedural rules developed in accordance with the relevant framework of APEC. He also expressed his confidence that the newly established AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre could further advance the growth of ODR in the region and beyond. Meetings of the AALCO member states' delegations have been held after the side event and will continue tomorrow (December 1), with important international law topics in the Asian and African regions including "Upholding International Law for a Community of Shared Future: the Role of Asian and African Countries" and "International Law in Cyberspace" to be discussed by high-ranking diplomats and legal experts representing the member states as well as observer delegations representing governments and international organisations from across the globe. Ends/Tuesday, November 30, 2021 Issued at HKT 16:59 NNNN
Establishment of AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre
29.11.2021

The establishment of the AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre was officially announced today (November 29) at the 59th Annual Session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO), followed by an unveiling ceremony which marked a major milestone in the development and promotion of Hong Kong as an international legal and dispute resolution services hub. Regional arbitration centres under the auspices of the AALCO function as international institutions with the objective of promoting international commercial arbitration in the Asian-African regions and providing for the conducting of international arbitrations. Further to the AALCO's work plan approved in 2018 in relation to the establishment of another arbitration centre, the Secretary-General of the AALCO and the Government of the People's Republic of China have agreed on the establishment of the regional arbitration centre in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). It is with major support from the Central People's Government and the AALCO that the Hong Kong regional arbitration centre can be established. Adding to the five existing regional arbitration centres of the AALCO, the regional arbitration centre in Hong Kong 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 and assisting in the enforcement of arbitral awards, and to also promote the growth and effective functioning of arbitration and other dispute resolution services, including online dispute resolution services. Having an abundance of legal and dispute resolution talents as well as a mature and robust legal system and legal infrastructure, the HKSAR has all the components to bring out the best in the new regional arbitration centre. Ends/Monday, November 29, 2021 Issued at HKT 19:20 NNNN
Intimidation against judges stringently followed up
23.11.2021

In response to threatening letters received by the Judiciary, the Department of Justice issued the following statement today (November 23): Intimidation against judges and judicial officers is despicable and heinous. Recently, the situation has become serious. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government strongly deplores such illegal acts which are blatant defiance of the law and undermine the rule of law. Law enforcement agencies will leave no stone unturned in bringing the culprit to justice. Article 85 of the Basic Law guarantees that the courts of the HKSAR shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference. In exercising their judicial power, judges must take into account the applicable law and evidence. Their judgments set out the full reasons for arriving at the decision. This is in accord with the basic principle that judges are to decide cases according to the law impartially and independently. Those who turn a blind eye to the reasons of the court's rulings, and act unlawfully with an attempt to exert undue influence on judges based merely on their own likings on the outcomes of cases not only reveal their ignorance, cowardice and disregard of the law, but will also be in futile. Criminal intimidation against judges and judicial officers is a serious offence. Members of the public should not break the law. Offenders have to bear legal consequences. Ends/Tuesday, November 23, 2021 Issued at HKT 20:10 NNNN
SJ receives third dose of COVID-19 vaccine (with photos)
18.11.2021

​The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, today (November 18) received her third dose of the Sinovac vaccine at the Community Vaccination Centre at Java Road Sports Centre. Ms Cheng said, "In view of COVID-19 continuing to ravage the world, I urge members of the public to take the first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible and eligible persons under certain groups to receive their third dose of a vaccine on time to protect themselves, their family members and the community. It is the best measure for Hong Kong to recover from the pandemic, enabling the public to resume normal daily lives as soon as possible." Ms Cheng also expressed her appreciation to the staff members for their effort in fighting the pandemic. Ends/Thursday, November 18, 2021 Issued at HKT 12:22 NNNN
Government strongly deplores intimidation against judicial officers
16.11.2021

In response to threatening letters received by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts and the Shatin Magistrates' Courts, the Department of Justice (DoJ) issued the following statement today (November 16): Intimidation against judges and judicial officers is unacceptable to Hong Kong as a society which observes the rule of law. In any event that unlawful means is used with an aim to exert influence over court proceedings, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will take the case seriously and spare no effort in bringing the culprit to justice in order to safeguard the due administration of the judicial process and public peace. In exercising judicial power, judges are required to handle cases strictly in accordance with the applicable law and evidence. Article 85 of the Basic Law guarantees that the courts of the HKSAR shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference. The DoJ strongly deplores recent cases of criminal intimidation against judges. Offenders will be brought to justice. Under section 24 of the Crimes Ordinance, anyone who threatens any other person with injury to him/her shall be guilty and liable on conviction upon indictment to imprisonment for five years. Ends/Tuesday, November 16, 2021 Issued at HKT 16:33 NNNN
Intimidation against judicial officers intolerable
11.11.2021

In response to the threatening letter against a judicial officer, the Department of Justice (DoJ) issued the following statement today (November 11): Article 85 of the Basic Law clearly states that the courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference. Judges should handle cases in accordance with law and evidence. The HKSAR Government reiterated that intimidation against judges, who are performing judicial duties, will never be tolerated. Such illegal acts not only disregard the law but also undermine the rule of law. Police will follow up on the matter seriously. The DoJ warned that, under section 24 of the Crimes Ordinance, anyone who threatens any other person with injury to him/her shall be guilty and liable on conviction upon indictment to imprisonment for five years. Members of the public should not break the law. Ends/Thursday, November 11, 2021 Issued at HKT 22:20 NNNN