kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Appointments to Law Reform Commission
31.12.2023

The following is issued on behalf of the Law Reform Commission: The Law Reform Commission (LRC) today (December 31) announced that Mr Michael Jackson has been appointed by the Chief Executive as a new member of the LRC for three years with effect from January 1, 2024. Mr Jackson, who is currently the Head of the Department of Law of the University of Hong Kong, will succeed Professor Fu Hualing, who has completed his three-year term as an LRC member. Being an acknowledged specialist in criminal law and procedure, Mr Jackson also has a keen interest in, for example, cybercrime and privacy and data protection law. Over the years, Mr Jackson has authored various legal publications on his areas of research. The LRC welcomes the appointment of Mr Jackson who is no stranger to law reform work as he served in the LRC's Sub-committee on Fraud between 1988 and 1992. In addition, Mr Stephen Hung Wan-shun has been reappointed by the Chief Executive as a member of the LRC for a second three-year term with effect from January 1, 2024. Mr Hung is a seasoned criminal law practitioner and was also the President of the Law Society of Hong Kong. He was first appointed to the LRC on January 1, 2021. The LRC believes that Mr Hung's expertise and commitment will continue to benefit the work of law reform in Hong Kong. The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, who is also the Chairman of the LRC, expressed his appreciation to Professor Fu and Mr Hung for their valuable contributions to the LRC's work over the past three years. With these latest appointments, the LRC comprises the following members: Secretary for Justice (Chairman) Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal (ex officio member) Law Draftsman (ex officio member) Mr Justice Johnson Lam Man-hon Ms Winnie Tam Wan-chi, SC Ms May Chan Suk-mei Professor Lutz-Christian Wolff Mr Stephen Hung Wan-shun Mrs Janice Choi Kwan Wing-kum Mr Chan Chak-ming Mrs Margaret Leung Ko May-yee Professor Alexander Loke Mr Michael Jackson Ends/Sunday, December 31, 2023 Issued at HKT 11:00 NNNN
Interim injunction relating to a song: Court of Appeal granted leave for additional grounds of appeal - publication of relevant documents
22.12.2023

On December 19, the Court of Appeal of the High Court granted leave for the Secretary for Justice to rely on additional grounds in his appeal against the Court of First Instance's refusal of an interim injunction in relation to a song. A copy of the said Order has been uploaded today (December 22) to the websites of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Department of Justice and the Hong Kong Police Force. Members of the public may access the following websites or scan the QR code (attached) to download the relevant documents: ． www.gov.hk/en/theme/courtorder/index5.htm ． www.doj.gov.hk/en/miscellaneous/hca855.html ． www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/03_police_message/hca855.html Ends/Friday, December 22, 2023 Issued at HKT 12:43 NNNN
HKSAR Government strongly disapproves of and firmly rejects issuing so-called "Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law" to Chow Hang-tung
13.12.2023

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (December 13) expressed its strong disapproval of and firm opposition to the ministries of foreign affairs of France and Germany for issuing the so-called "Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law" to Chow Hang-tung, who was charged for suspicion of committing offences under the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL). A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, "Chow Hang-tung is facing a criminal prosecution of 'incitement to subversion' and the case has been committed to the Court of First Instance of the High Court awaiting trial. The judicial proceedings of the case are still ongoing, but the ministries of foreign affairs of France and Germany have issued the so-called prize to Chow Hang-tung in the name of 'human rights' and the 'rule of law', which is obviously contrary to the spirit of respecting the rule of law. The HKSAR Government strongly urges these foreign countries to respect the spirit of the rule of law, abide by the international law and basic norms that govern international relations, and immediately stop interfering in the affairs of Hong Kong." "Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law and has always adhered to the principle that laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers held accountable, and is well recognised by international communities. The HKSAR law enforcement agencies take law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law against those who endanger national security. The Department of Justice of the HKSAR is in charge of criminal prosecutions under Article 63 of the Basic Law, with all prosecution decisions made based on an objective analysis of all admissible evidence and applicable laws. The Judiciary of the HKSAR exercises judicial power independently in accordance with the law, and everyone charged with a criminal offence has the right to a fair hearing," the spokesman emphasised. "Hong Kong residents have been enjoying the rights and freedoms under the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance and other relevant laws. The NSL also clearly stipulates that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, and the rights and freedoms that Hong Kong residents enjoy under the Basic Law, and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, shall be protected in accordance with the law. "The HKSAR will continue to resolutely discharge the responsibility of safeguarding national security, effectively prevent, suppress and punish acts and activities that endanger national security in accordance with the law, and safeguard the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people in accordance with the law at the same time," the spokesman reiterated. Ends/Wednesday, December 13, 2023 Issued at HKT 18:20 NNNN
SJ continues visit to Vietnam (with photos)
5.12.2023

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, continued his visit to Vietnam today (December 5) and met with representatives from the legal and commercial sectors of Vietnam. He also attended bilateral meetings between the Chinese delegation and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He will attend the 13th China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference tomorrow (December 6) and deliver a speech at a plenary session. Mr Lam first met with the Vietnam Bar Federation in the morning to learn about Vietnam's latest legal developments and needs in legal services, and to exchange views on legal co-operation and exchanges between the two places. He then attended a luncheon with representatives of the commercial sector of Vietnam to introduce to them Hong Kong's unique advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland while being closely connected to the world under "one country, two systems", as well as its position as an international centre for legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region. In the afternoon, as a member of the Chinese delegation, Mr Lam attended bilateral meetings between the delegation and ASEAN member states, namely Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar to exchange views with them on issues of mutual interest. Mr Lam will attend the 13th China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference tomorrow and deliver his speech at a plenary session hosted by the Prosecutor General of the Supreme People's Procuracy of Vietnam, Mr Le Minh Tri. Mr Lam will conclude his visit to Vietnam and return to Hong Kong in the evening tomorrow. Ends/Tuesday, December 5, 2023 Issued at HKT 22:01 NNNN
SJ to visit Vietnam
4.12.2023

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, will depart for a three-day visit to Vietnam this afternoon (December 4). During the visit, Mr Lam will attend the 13th China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference and deliver a speech at a plenary session. As a member of the Chinese delegation, he will attend bilateral meetings between the delegation and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. He will also meet with representatives from the legal and commercial sectors of Vietnam to exchange views with them on issues of mutual interest. Accompanying Mr Lam on the visit will include the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms Maggie Yang, and government counsel. Mr Lam will return to Hong Kong on December 6. During Mr Lam's absence, the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, will be the Acting Secretary for Justice. Ends/Monday, December 4, 2023 Issued at HKT 11:30 NNNN
SJ visits Macao to promote legal co-operation and exchanges between two places (with photos)
29.11.2023

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, started his two-day visit to Macao this afternoon (November 29). He met with the Secretary for Administration and Justice of the Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) Government and senior officials of the Public Prosecutions Office of the Macao SAR. He will also attend the 12th Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao legal seminar to be held by the Department of Justice (DoJ), the China Law Society and the Legal Affairs Bureau of Macao tomorrow (November 30) to promote legal co-operation and exchanges among the three places. Mr Lam first met with the Secretary for Administration and Justice of the Macao SAR, Mr Cheong Weng Chon, this afternoon to deepen the exchanges and collaboration of both sides and enhance their mutual understanding, with a view to facilitating the interface of legal systems and rules, as well as the nurturing of legal talents in the three places to contribute to the development of the rule of law in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). He took the opportunity to thank the Office of the Secretary for Administration and Justice of Macao for its continuous support to the DoJ, including co-organising a forum during the annual flagship event of the DoJ, Hong Kong Legal Week 2023, to jointly promote legal and dispute resolution services in the GBA. He also introduced the DoJ's preparation work for establishing the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, and looked forward to the Macao SAR's active participation and support to jointly contribute to the development of the country's capacity in the rule of law in foreign affairs. Mr Lam then visited the Public Prosecutions Office of the Macao SAR to meet with its Prosecutor General, Mr Ip Son Sang. They exchanged views on the application of technology in criminal cases to facilitate investigations and prosecution work, and explored strengthening the co-operation on legal assistance between both sides. Tomorrow morning (November 30), Mr Lam will attend the 12th Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao legal seminar and speak at the opening ceremony. First held in 2009, the seminar is an important platform for the legal sectors in the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao to exchange views on topics of mutual interest, including law-related hot topics and challenges in the three places. Accompanying Mr Lam on the visit includes relevant law officers and government counsel. Mr Lam will return to Hong Kong tomorrow afternoon (November 30). During Mr Lam's absence, the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, is the Acting Secretary for Justice. Ends/Wednesday, November 29, 2023 Issued at HKT 18:52 NNNN
Secretary for Justice reviews Fire Services passing-out parade (with photos)
17.11.2023

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, reviewed the Fire Services passing-out parade for 22 station officers, 146 firemen and 50 ambulancemen at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy today (November 17). Speaking at the parade, Mr Lam commended the Fire Services Department (FSD) for forming the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region search and rescue team with members from other government departments to carry out search and rescue work in quake-stricken areas in Türkiye in February and successfully rescuing four survivors. The team was awarded the inaugural Chief Executive's Award for Exemplary Performance in July. Hong Kong people took pride in the team's selfless devotion, which has also enhanced Hong Kong's international reputation. He said, "To strengthen the graduates' understanding of the country, the FSD organised the National Studies Course in which the graduates were given an opportunity to exchange views with the Fire and Rescue Corps of Guangdong Province and learn about the Mainland's advanced equipment and new technologies. Graduates are encouraged to continue to actively participate in the exchange sessions organised for fire and ambulance personnel of both Hong Kong and Guangdong Province to foster closer co-operation between the both sides. Such sessions would also enhance the professional and technical standards of both sides, and further contribute to strengthening the emergency response and rescue capabilities of the Greater Bay Area." Mr Lam pointed out that the FSD has been actively taking part in the education on the rule of law, including instilling positive values and law-abiding spirit among the youth through the Fire and Ambulance Services Teen Connect and social media platforms. He added that to safeguard national security and prevent terrorist attacks, the FSD has formulated operation strategies and conducted joint operations and interdepartmental counter-terrorism exercises with other relevant departments in order to enhance emergency response capabilities. The parade was followed by a demonstration of firefighting and rescue techniques by the graduates. The 218 graduates will be posted to various fire stations and ambulance depots. Ends/Friday, November 17, 2023 Issued at HKT 17:05 NNNN
DSJ to lead delegation of young lawyers to visit Shenzhen and Foshan (with photo)
15.11.2023

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, will lead a delegation of young lawyers comprising more than 30 members to visit two cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Shenzhen and Foshan, tomorrow (November 16). Comprising young representatives of the Law Society of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Bar Association, young government counsel of the Department of Justice (DoJ), and students from the three law schools, the delegation will visit a court, law-related authorities and institutions, top-notch enterprises and a start-up incubation base for youth, to have a better understanding of the GBA's need for cross-jurisdictional legal services, the significance of innovation and technology on legal services as well as the importance of Hong Kong as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region. Mr Cheung said that young people are the future of Hong Kong. This visit follows the one to Huizhou, conducted by the DoJ with young lawyers in September, to continue to engage proactively with youth. The Department endeavours to support Hong Kong's new generation of the legal sector, including law students, by providing them with opportunities to acquire a deeper and wider understanding of the country's development, and encouraging them to better integrate into the overall national development and contribute to the rule of law development of the country proactively at an earlier stage. The destinations of the visit, Shenzhen and Foshan, are also the most preferred destinations for the Hong Kong legal sector to expand businesses in the GBA. Mr Cheung and the delegation will return to Hong Kong on November 18. Ends/Wednesday, November 15, 2023 Issued at HKT 17:45 NNNN
DSJ to attend GBA legal forum in Shenzhen and Global Economic Development and Security Forum of Boao Forum for Asia in Changsha
26.10.2023

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, will attend large-scale forums in Shenzhen and Changsha to promote Hong Kong's status as the centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region. Tomorrow (October 27) in Shenzhen, Mr Cheung will first attend the 2023 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Legal Forum (Shenzhen), and deliver a speech on the latest initiatives on the development of the GBA in the Policy Address before returning to Hong Kong in the afternoon. Bringing together professionals from the political, legal and business sectors, the forum will focus on enhancing the "soft connectivity" of cross-border legal services to further support the integration of Hong Kong and Macao's legal services into the overall development of the country and promote the deepening of co-operation in legal services. Next, he will depart for Changsha on October 29 for the 2nd Conference of Global Economic Development and Security Forum of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA-GEDS). He will return to Hong Kong on October 30. With the theme of "Global Development and Shared Security" this year, the BFA-GEDS is an important platform for forging consensus on global economic development and security. Mr Cheung said that one of the key initiatives in this year's Policy Address is to enhance the development of the "eight centres" to dovetail with national strategies for creating strong impetus for growth. Noting that security is the foundation of high-quality economic development, he added that the forum will facilitate delegations from Hong Kong and other places to focus on "Global Development" and "Shared Security", and to conduct high-level, in-depth and cross-disciplinary discussions on a number of hot topics. Ends/Thursday, October 26, 2023 Issued at HKT 17:30 NNNN
University students savour first taste of bilingual law drafting in Law Drafting Competition 2023 (with photos)
28.9.2023

The Law Drafting Competition 2023 organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ) was a success and ended on a high note today (September 28) with a prize presentation ceremony. Addressing the ceremony, the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, said that the competition was inaugurated by the DoJ to encourage people to know more about law drafting, and it represented an innovative attempt by the DoJ to take forward the education and promotion of the rule of law in a proactive and diversified way. Mr Lam noted that the event was content-rich and challenging, and he congratulated the select few students who won in the competition. Also present to share the joy of the winning students were the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, and former Law Draftsman Mr Tony Yen. Both were members of the competition's adjudicating panel, the other being Legislative Council Member and Committee for the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress member Dr Priscilla Leung. Launched with the slogan "Write Laws for Good", the competition encouraged university students to devise legislative proposals and draft proposed bills on their own, so that they could understand the importance of good legislation to the rule of law, and appreciate the unique advantages of Hong Kong being the only common law jurisdiction in China and the only place in the world that has a legal system operating in both English and Chinese languages. The competition received an encouraging response, with a total of 19 teams (35 students) completing all the challenges. Every participating team was required to choose between the topics of "Private Information on the Internet" and "Homicide Offences". The teams had to formulate legislative proposals based on their choice and draft proposed bills in both English and Chinese. In February this year, the Law Drafting Division organised two sessions of a Law Drafting Workshop for the teams, covering the origins of statute law in Hong Kong, structure of bills, plain language drafting, and features of bilingual drafting. The winner and first and second runners-up of the competition were, respectively, Mr Chen Zhongyu (Postgraduate Certificate in Laws, City University of Hong Kong), Ms Tsoi Cheuk-ling (Bachelor of Laws (Year 3), City University of Hong Kong) and the team formed by Ms Amanda Huang Wan-ning (Bachelor of Laws (Year 3), the University of Hong Kong) and Mr Oscar Wong Tsz-shing (Bachelor of Social Sciences (Government and Laws) and Bachelor of Laws (Year 4), the University of Hong Kong). For details of the competition and submissions of the winning teams, please visit the competition's dedicated webpage: www.doj.gov.hk/en/ldd/law_drafting_competition.html . Ends/Thursday, September 28, 2023 Issued at HKT 19:55 NNNN
Speech by DSJ at reception of 93rd National Day of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (English only) (with photo)
22.9.2023

Following is the speech by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at the reception of 93rd National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, today (September 22): Consul General, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Good evening. It is my great pleasure to join you to celebrate the 93rd National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On behalf of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, I extend to you, Consul General, and the people of Saudi Arabia, our warmest congratulations. I had the great pleasure of visiting Saudi Arabia earlier this year and enjoying the wonderful Saudi hospitality. It was a very memorable and fruitful trip. Our official visit back in February was led by our Chief Executive and included a high-level business delegation. It helped set Hong Kong's relations with Saudi Arabia, and indeed the wider Middle East region, on a new and exciting growth track. Saudi Arabia is also an important link in the far-reaching Belt & Road Initiative. Last week, we held the 8th Belt and Road Summit, which included, for the first time, a special session on Middle East opportunities, and a speech by a distinguished speaker from Saudi Arabia. A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed to strengthen the commercial and economic ties between Hong Kong and the Middle East. We are also very pleased that Saudi Arabia's Future Investment Initiative Institute will host its first PRIORITY Asia Summit in our city this December. We are honoured to be the first place in Asia to host this annual flagship event for the Middle East. In 2022, Saudi Arabia ranked our second-largest trading partner in the Gulf Cooperation Council. On the legal front, I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight our city's advantages as an international legal and dispute resolution hub. In particular, Hong Kong's tried and tested common law system provides a solid platform for business and investment in and through Hong Kong. But our focus is not just on commercial relations. We also welcome more cultural collaborations with our Saudi friends. I am pleased to know that, with support from the Consulate-General in Hong Kong, Saudi traditions, customs and cultural artefacts will be featured in the 2023 edition of the "Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances" event to be held in November. And I know that sports fans are looking forward to watching some of the world's best women golfers in action when the Aramco Team Series makes its debut at the Hong Kong Golf Club next month. Whether through business and finance, or arts, culture and sports, we highly value people-to-people exchanges with our Saudi friends. As we celebrate your National Day, I sincerely wish the people of Saudi Arabia a happy, peaceful and prosperous year ahead. Please join me in a toast: "To the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". Thank you. Ends/Friday, September 22, 2023 Issued at HKT 22:23 NNNN