kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Hong Kong e-Legislation set to be only government legislation website
25.5.2018

Hong Kong e-Legislation (HKeL) will be the only government legislation website from July 1, 2018, following the discontinuation of the previous Bilingual Laws Information System (BLIS) website on the same date, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice (DoJ) said today (May 25). HKeL was launched in February 2017. To facilitate the transition from BLIS to HKeL, the two websites have been running in parallel. After consulting the HKeL Liaison Group and considering the views of the legal profession, it has been decided that BLIS will discontinue service on July 1, 2018. The spokesperson said, "We have been giving advance notice on the decommissioning of BLIS through various channels since December 2017. To assist our users in transitioning to the HKeL regime, we have published user's guides on how to perform basic BLIS functions in HKeL and how to maintain printed copies of legislation. Briefing sessions on HKeL and its advance functionalities have also been arranged for members of the legal profession. "We are committed to improving and enhancing the functionality and user-friendliness of HKeL. Since its launch, we have introduced a number of enhancements, for example, the Chapter Number Index was enhanced so that users could conveniently download PDF copies of different chapters using the Index. A progress bar was also added to the 'view legislation' page to show users the loading progress of a chapter. "Further enhancements will be introduced in the coming months to facilitate quicker and easier access to legislation." The spokesperson added that the HKeL website marks a new milestone in the Government's efforts to facilitate public access to information on legislation. The Government will continue to listen to the views of users to enhance HKeL for the benefit of the general public and the legal profession. Ends/Friday, May 25, 2018 Issued at HKT 15:30 NNNN
Secretary for Justice attends dispute resolution roundtable meetings in Beijing (with photos)
11.5.2018

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, continued her visit in Beijing today (May 11). In the morning, Ms Cheng met with Assistant Minister of Commerce, Mr Li Chenggang. They discussed ways to build a communication platform for legal and dispute resolution professionals in Hong Kong to participate in Belt and Road Initiative in a more concrete way. She then met with Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission Mr Ning Jizhe, on the development opportunities in the Mainland for Hong Kong legal and dispute resolution professionals under the Belt and Road Initiative and the Bay Area development plan. In the afternoon, Ms Cheng joined the Hong Kong legal and dispute resolution practitioners to attend two roundtable meetings and exchanged views with representatives of the arbitration and business sectors in the Mainland. The first one was held by Beijing Arbitration Commission with focus on the participation of enterprises in the Belt and Road projects and the related legal risk prevention and dispute resolution. They then joined the second meeting organised by the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission to discuss issues including pragmatic co-operation and exchanges between enterprises, legal and arbitration sectors in the Mainland and Hong Kong legal professionals, as well as ways to link Hong Kong’s legal advantages and Mainland enterprises' needs when seizing opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative. Ms Cheng will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (May 12) afternoon. Ends/Friday, May 11, 2018 Issued at HKT 21:02 NNNN
Secretary for Justice starts visit in Beijing (with photos)
10.5.2018

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, started her visit in Beijing today (May 10). Ms Cheng called on the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Le Yucheng, in the morning. She introduced Hong Kong's measures to enhance its competitiveness as the international legal and disputes resolution services centre, which was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the afternoon, Ms Cheng and the legal and disputes resolution practitioners from Hong Kong met with the Vice Chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, Mr Weng Jieming. During the meeting, the practitioners introduced Hong Kong's strengths in international legal and dispute resolution services which could complement the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area development. They also suggested Mainland enterprises to fully use Hong Kong's international legal and dispute resolution services and recommended to explore to build a platform to further exchanges with Mainland enterprises. Ms Cheng and the practitioners from Hong Kong then met with the Chief Justice of the People's Republic of China and President of the Supreme People's Court (SPC), Mr Zhou Qiang. SPC actively supported Hong Kong's efforts to promote mutual legal assistance between the two jurisdictions. The practitioners also discussed with SPC on their needs and suggestions on legal co-operation, as well as ways to enhance the existing mechanism. Ms Cheng and the Executive Vice President of SPC, Mr Shen Deyong, also signed a minutes of meeting in respect of strengthening mutual legal assistance between the Mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Ms Cheng will continue her visit tomorrow by calling on the Ministry of Commerce and the National Development and Reform Commission. She will also join the practitioners from Hong Kong to attend two roundtable meetings host by representatives of the Mainland arbitration and business sector. Ends/Thursday, May 10, 2018 Issued at HKT 21:23 NNNN
Secretary for Justice to visit Beijing
8.5.2018

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, will visit Beijing from May 9 to 12 to pay courtesy visits and promote Hong Kong's strengths as a legal and dispute resolution services centre with dispute resolution practitioners from Hong Kong. While in Beijing, Ms Cheng will call on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce and the National Development and Reform Commission. She will also visit the Supreme People's Court and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council with the practitioners from Hong Kong to exchange views on opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area development. Ms Cheng will join the practitioners to attend two roundtable meetings with representatives of the arbitration and business sector in the Mainland to explore ways to enhance co-operation and use of Hong Kong’s legal and dispute resolution services. She will depart for Beijing in the evening on May 9 and return to Hong Kong in the afternoon on May 12. Ends/Tuesday, May 8, 2018 Issued at HKT 18:30 NNNN
Secretary for Justice continues visit in Beijing
28.4.2018

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, continued her visit in Beijing today (April 28). Ms Cheng met with Minister of Justice, Mr Fu Zhenghua and Vice Minister of Justice, Mr Xiong Xuanguo this morning and exchanged views on topics including enhancing co-operation between the legal sectors of the two places. They also discussed the opportunities brought forward by the development of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area, as well as Hong Kong's strengths as an international law and dispute resolution services centre. She also took the opportunity to meet with representatives of the arbitration sector in the Mainland, including members of the Beijing Arbitration Commission and the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, to strengthen co-operations and exchanges of legal and arbitration services between Hong Kong and the Mainland. Ms Cheng will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (April 29). Ends/Saturday, April 28, 2018 Issued at HKT 19:03 NNNN
Secretary for Justice begins visit to Beijing
27.4.2018

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, started her duty visit in Beijing today (April 27). Ms Cheng first called on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) of the State Council. She met with the Director of the HKMAO, Mr Zhang Xiaoming, and discussed ways to continue enhancing the exchanges among law students and legal practitioners between the two places, as well as the opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area development. Ms Cheng then met with the Chairperson of the Legislative Affairs Commission and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Mr Shen Chunyao, to discuss issues of mutual concern. Ms Cheng will continue her visit tomorrow by calling on the Ministry of Justice. She will meet with the representatives from the Mainland arbitration sectors. Ends/Friday, April 27, 2018 Issued at HKT 22:40 NNNN
Secretary for Justice to visit Beijing
25.4.2018

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, will depart on a duty visit to Beijing tomorrow evening (April 26). While in Beijing, Ms Cheng will pay courtesy calls on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Legislative Affairs Commission and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress as well as the Ministry of Justice. She will also take the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Mainland arbitration sector to enhance exchanges on legal and arbitration services. Ms Cheng will return to Hong Kong on April 29. Ends/Wednesday, April 25, 2018 Issued at HKT 18:30 NNNN
Transcript of media session by Secretary for Justice
16.4.2018

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, at a media session after attending the special meeting of Finance Committee of the Legislative Council today (April 16): Reporter: Mr Wang (Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Wang Zhimin) said Hong Kong's system is flawed regarding upholding national security. Do you think he is putting pressure on the Government to enact Article 23? Secretary for Justice: Enacting Article 23 is a constitutional duty of the Hong Kong SAR Government, so that is something to be done. But the important thing is, when it is to be done, it is a matter that the Chief Executive has said a number of times, she will find the appropriate moment that the society and the circumstances would be suitable before this is being looked at. So, at the moment, I would like you all to bear that in mind, and then we will find the appropriate time to discuss the content and how we are going to deal with it. Thank you very much. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Monday, April 16, 2018 Issued at HKT 17:48 NNNN
Government appoints members to Advisory Committee on Promotion of Arbitration
27.3.2018

The Department of Justice (DoJ) today (March 27) announced that members have been appointed to a new term of three years of the Advisory Committee on Promotion of Arbitration. The Committee, chaired by the Secretary for Justice, includes representatives from the DoJ and members of the legal, arbitration and relevant sectors in Hong Kong. The Committee advises and assists the DoJ in respect of the promotion of arbitration in Hong Kong, including but not limited to: (a) considering, advising on and co-ordinating ongoing and new initiatives and overall strategies for the promotion of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)'s arbitration services in and outside Hong Kong; (b) serving as a forum for discussing such issues as may be raised by the legal and dispute resolution sectors concerning the promotion of the HKSAR as a leading centre for arbitration services in the Asia-Pacific region; and (c) such matters as may be incidental to the matters stated in (a) and (b) above (including, but not limited to, the conduct of research or studies relating to arbitration). The membership of the Committee is as follows: Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, Secretary for Justice (Chairperson) Mr Nicholas Chan Mr Justin D'Agostino Ms Jenny Koo Mr Adrian Lai Mr Andrew Liao, SC Mr Danny Mok Ms Sylvia Siu Mr Ronald Sum Ms Mary Thomson Dr Wang Wenying Dr William Wong, SC Ms Shirley Yuen Mr Steven Yip Representatives of the DoJ Ends/Tuesday, March 27, 2018 Issued at HKT 17:00 NNNN
Appointment to Law Reform Commission
22.3.2018

The following is issued on behalf of the Law Reform Commission: The Law Reform Commission (LRC) today (March 22) announced that Ms Melissa Wu has been appointed by the Chief Executive as a new member of the LRC. Ms Wu, who has substantial experience in providing audit services to multinational companies and listed clients in Hong Kong and the Mainland, replaces Ms Angela Lee following Ms Lee's completion of two three-year terms as an LRC member. The Commission believes that the expertise and extensive experience of Ms Wu in providing audit services, as well as her diverse experience of public service, would benefit the LRC in law reform. The appointment is for three years with effect from March 15, 2018. The Commission also thanks Ms Lee for her valuable contribution and advice to the LRC over the years. With this latest appointment, the LRC now comprises the following members: Secretary for Justice (Chairman) Mr Justice Robert Tang Kwok-ching Mr Eugene Fung, SC Professor Lin Feng Ms Christine Fang Mr Robert Y H Pang, SC Professor Michael Hor Professor Christopher Gane Mr Allan Leung Ms Alexandra Lo Ms Melissa Wu The Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal (ex-officio member) The Law Draftsman (ex-officio member) Ends/Thursday, March 22, 2018 Issued at HKT 16:00 NNNN
Consultation period on proposed legislation on continuing powers of attorney extended to April 28
21.2.2018

The Department of Justice (DoJ) announced today (February 21) that the deadline for submission of views on the consultation paper on the proposed continuing powers of attorney legislation has been extended by two months to April 28, 2018. A spokesman for the DoJ said, "Having considered requests made by different groups interested in this matter, we have decided to extend the consultation period so that the public could have more time to submit their written views on the consultation paper." The consultation paper was published on December 28, 2017 to seek views from the public on this matter. According to the existing Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA) Ordinance (Cap. 501), an EPA is a legal instrument which allows its donor (i.e. the person who gives a power of attorney in favour of someone), while he or she is still mentally capable, to appoint attorney(s) to take care of the donor's affairs in the event that he or she subsequently becomes mentally incapacitated. At present, the powers which may be delegated under an EPA in Hong Kong are limited to decisions in relation to the property and financial affairs of the donor. The Law Reform Commission of Hong Kong (LRC) published the report on "Enduring Powers of Attorney: Personal Care" (2011 Report) in July 2011. The report recommended the extension of the scope of an EPA to cover also decisions on a donor's personal care. Subsequently, the DoJ established an inter-departmental working group (IWG) to study the 2011 Report. "After careful consideration of the views and recommendations of the LRC and those provided by members of the IWG, the DoJ has prepared the proposed Continuing Powers of Attorney Bill (the Bill) with a view to implementing the relevant recommendations in the 2011 Report. "It is proposed that the new Continuing Powers of Attorney Ordinance be enacted to replace the existing EPA scheme. More specifically, the Bill seeks to provide a statutory framework, under which the donor confers on the attorney authority to act for (including making decisions for) the donor on any matters relating to the personal care, and property or financial affairs, of the donor," the spokesman said. The Consultation Paper on the Continuing Powers of Attorney Bill is now available on the website ( www.doj.gov.hk/eng/public/pdf/2017/cpa_consulte.pdf ). Members of the public are invited to submit their views to the Legal Policy Division of the Department of Justice by mail to 5/F, East Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong, or by email to cpa@doj.gov.hk on or before April 28, 2018. Ends/Wednesday, February 21, 2018 Issued at HKT 17:00 NNNN
Transcript of media session by Secretary for Justice
29.1.2018

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, at a media session after attending the Legislative Council's Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services special meeting on policy initiatives of the Department of Justice today (January 29): Reporter: Ms Cheng, how will you respond to the statement issued by members of the legal subsector of the Election Committee that the disqualification of Agnes Chow is an infringement of her political right to stand for election, and how would you address the public worries that one might be barred from standing for an election just because of their political opinion or political affiliation? Secretary for Justice: Hong Kong has always respected the freedom of expression, the freedom to be elected, as well as the freedom to elect, and I think those rights are very carefully balanced. And of course, in relation to the decision of the Registration (should be Returning) Officer (RO), those are the matters that the RO will have to make himself or herself in order to come to the view as to the validity. When making those decisions, the RO will of course have to apply the law, and the law would include those relating to the election, the Legislative Council, as well as the Basic Law. So the legal opinion provide those matters, but then, the RO will have to apply the facts and information that was available to him or her in order to come to those decisions. So it is entirely in accordance with the law that the RO will be exercising his or her decision in relation to this particular matter. Reporter: Ms Cheng, how can Hong Kong people trust you to have the ability to lead Hong Kong’s justice department, if you yourself did not even know you have broken the law? Secretary for Justice: The decision, when I made, the decision to take up the post as the Secretary for Justice, I have made very careful and serious consideration in order to give up and put down what I have in hand in order to serve Hong Kong. The conviction and my commitment to serve Hong Kong is a confirmed and a very serious one. I wish to use my experience in resolving disputes, my experience in handling transnational as well as local matters in law in order to help Hong Kong to develop even further. It is my determination to serve Hong Kong, to uphold the rule of law as well as our judicial independence. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Monday, January 29, 2018 Issued at HKT 21:39 NNNN
Secretary for Justice responds to media enquiries on illegal structures at her properties
22.1.2018

In response to media enquiries on the illegal structures at her properties, the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, issued the following response yesterday (January 21). "The following is a progress report from the Authorized Person (AP) commissioned by the Secretary on following up on the illegal structures at her properties: - Regarding the illegal structures in the property in Tuen Mun, the Buildings Department (BD) replied and approved some rectification works to be carried out. The contractor will immediately commence works in accordance with the approval. The AP will continue to follow up with the BD on the works that are pending approval; - Inspections on the other properties owned by the Secretary have been completed. Among them, three alterations, without record of registration, were found in the property in South District on Hong Kong Island. All these alterations were already there when she bought the property. The AP recommended to carry out rectification in accordance with the original building plan. The AP has also on behalf of the Secretary reported the findings to the BD and parts of the rectification works will commence as soon as possible. Two of the rectifications involved the exterior walls and works are pending approval of the property management committee. - Further, for the two properties in Sha Tin, the AP, after inspections, considered that no rectification is needed. However, there are some doubts about the fire rating of the kitchen door of the residential property, and it was recommended that it be changed. The Secretary understands public concerns over the issue and will keep the public informed of the latest development when appropriate." Ends/Monday, January 22, 2018 Issued at HKT 0:18 NNNN
Transcript of media session by Secretary for Justice
21.1.2018

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, at a media session after attending a radio programme today (January 21): Reporter: What do you think of the reports said that you may have known the former owner of the house, you may have colluded with him? Secondly, do you have other properties that have illegal structures? What do you think of the NPC's (National People's Congress's) Decision, do you think that can be challenged in court? Secretary for Justice: I do not know the former owner. There is no collusion and I don't want to comment on such speculation that has been made, which is baseless. The second question is about other properties. Yes, there are other properties. I have already said just now that I have already engaged Authorized Person to look into them and being dealt with. As to the NPC's (Standing Committee of the NPC's) Decision, the Decision that was made at the end of the year, that is a matter that has been made. It has been made under the PRC (People's Republic of China) constitution law. This is a matter that is subject to certain judicial review proceedings, so it is not appropriate for me to comment any further on that. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Sunday, January 21, 2018 Issued at HKT 12:25 NNNN
Response of HKSAR Government on co-location arrangement
18.1.2018

The HKSAR Government takes note of the Law Society of Hong Kong's statement today (January 18) on the co-location arrangement. Throughout the consultations on co-location arrangement, the HKSAR and the Mainland have always agreed that the co-location arrangement must be consistent with "one country, two systems" and must not contravene the Basic Law. The "Three-step Process" was agreed by the two sides following in-depth study to implement the co-location arrangement. The HKSAR Government will continue to carefully consider the views of members of the community, including the Law Society of Hong Kong, and see how best to address public concerns when taking appropriate follow-up action in proceeding with the work in relation to the co-location arrangement. Ends/Thursday, January 18, 2018 Issued at HKT 20:54 NNNN