kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Stage 2 application exercise for space in Legal Hub launched
29.10.2018

Applications from law-related organisations (LROs) are now invited under the Stage 2 exercise for using the space in the West Wing of the former Central Government Offices (CGO) and the former French Mission Building (FMB) for the provision of legal and dispute resolution services. A spokesman for the Department of Justice (DoJ) said today (October 29) that underpinning the policy objective of consolidating Hong Kong as a leading centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region, the Government will provide certain space to LROs in the West Wing of the former CGO and the former FMB for the provision of such services. Together with the DoJ offices in the Main Wing, the East Wing and part of West Wing of the former CGO, the whole area will become a Legal Hub at the heart of Hong Kong. Under the Stage 1 and Supplementary application exercises conducted earlier, based on assessment of the relative merits of the respective applications, the Committee on Provision of Space in the Legal Hub has recommended a total of 17 LROs for provision of space in the West Wing of the former CGO and the former FMB. These cover reputable local, regional and international LROs. As in the arrangement for the Stage 1 and Supplementary application exercises, applicants for the current Stage 2 exercise should be LROs which meet the following eligibility criteria: (a) the applicant should normally be a non-profit making or inter-governmental LRO which has been operating in the law-related or dispute resolution field in or outside Hong Kong; (b) the services to be provided on the premises should be compatible with the policy objective of enhancing Hong Kong's status as a leading hub for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region; and (c) the applicant should not have received a capital grant from the Government or any other sources for constructing or buying its own premises, or subsidy of any kind from any other sources for accommodation support. The application form and a guide to application can be downloaded from www.doj.gov.hk/eng/public/legalhub.html . The application deadline is December 28, 2018. Late applications will not be accepted. Enquiries about the application exercise can be made to the Special Duties Team of the DoJ on 2867 4590 or by email ( legalhub@doj.gov.hk ). The provision of space to LROs in the Legal Hub will enable those already in Hong Kong to further develop their services and create a favourable environment to attract more reputable international legal and dispute resolution institutions to provide services or set up offices in Hong Kong, which will further enhance the status and competitiveness of Hong Kong as a leading centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region. It is expected that space in the Legal Hub can be made available to international, regional and local LROs commencing around mid-2019. Ends/Monday, October 29, 2018 Issued at HKT 17:30 NNNN
Department of Justice co-organises Investment Law and Investor-State Mediator Training Course
16.10.2018

The Department of Justice (DoJ) is currently co-organising the Investment Law and Investor-State Mediator Training Course, the first investment law-cum-investment mediation training course in Asia, together with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and the Asian Academy of International Law. With the conclusion of the investment agreement under the framework of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) on June 28, 2017, which provides mediation as a means of dispute resolution, the training course is one of the DoJ's initiatives towards developing Hong Kong into an international investment law and international investment dispute resolution skills training base. The goal is to build up a team of investment mediators in Asia to handle international investment disputes. Topics covered in the training include the fundamentals of investment arbitration and its reform for investor-State dispute settlement, an analysis of main investment treaty cases and a study of mediation in the context of investor-State disputes. The training course also engages participants through role play in investment mediation, and explores topics such as mediation process consideration and stakeholder mapping analysis for case studies. The week-long training course, which concludes this Sunday (October 21), attracted enthusiastic responses. Some 50 participants from around the world, including government officials from Mainland China, ASEAN countries, the Middle East, Africa, South America and Hong Kong, as well as local and overseas legal and mediation practitioners, gathered for this Asia premiere of intellectual and professional exchange in these subject areas. The training course included a stellar line-up of participating trainers, comprising experts from the ICSID and the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution as well as experienced practitioners and academics in the field. As another initiative to promote the use of mediation in Hong Kong, the DoJ partnered with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – Hong Kong to bring the ICC mediation competition to Hong Kong and Asia for the first time. The inaugural ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition - Hong Kong drew the participation of 16 teams from universities of different jurisdictions to compete in simulated commercial mediations, who were judged by top-notch local and overseas mediators and judges. The City University of Hong Kong team outwitted all other teams and emerged victorious from the finals held on October 15. Ends/Tuesday, October 16, 2018 Issued at HKT 19:49 NNNN
Appointment to Law Reform Commission
27.9.2018

The following is issued on behalf of the Law Reform Commission: The Law Reform Commission (LRC) today (September 27) announced that Mr Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung, Chief Judge of the High Court, has been appointed by the Chief Executive as a new member of the LRC for three years with effect from October 1, 2018. Mr Justice Cheung will replace Mr Justice Robert Tang Kwok-ching, permanent judge of the Court of Final Appeal, who has completed two three-year terms as an LRC member. Mr Justice Cheung will also become a permanent judge of the Court of Final Appeal with effect from October 25, 2018. The LRC believes that his expertise and experience as a senior judge will benefit the LRC in law reform. The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, who is also Chairman of the LRC, thanked Mr Justice Tang for his valuable contribution and advice to the LRC over the years. With this latest appointment, the LRC will comprise the following members: Secretary for Justice (Chairman) 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 Mr Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung The Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal (ex-officio member) The Law Draftsman (ex-officio member) Ends/Thursday, September 27, 2018 Issued at HKT 15:00 NNNN
Secretary for Justice visits Wong Tai Sin District (with photos)
26.9.2018

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, visited Wong Tai Sin District today (September 26). She called at a primary school and a youth centre and met with District Council members. Accompanied by the Chairman of the Wong Tai Sin District Council, Mr Li Tak-hong, and the District Officer (Wong Tai Sin), Ms Annie Kong, Ms Cheng visited the Caritas Jockey Club Integrated Service for Young People - Wong Tai Sin to learn about the operation and facilities of the centre. During the visit, Ms Cheng chatted with youth members in the centre. She learned that the centre encourages young people to develop their potential and cultivates their sense of responsibility for the promotion of mutual care and social integration through understanding, caring, participating and commitment. Ms Cheng then went to Islamic Dharwood Pau Memorial Primary School, and was briefed by the school principal and student ambassadors on its educational philosophy and characteristics. She also chatted with teachers and students to understand how the school promotes local and Islamic cultural exchanges and the challenges faced by ethnic minority students. Before concluding her visit, Ms Cheng met with members of the Wong Tai Sin District Council and exchanged views on issues of concern. Ends/Wednesday, September 26, 2018 Issued at HKT 18:00 NNNN
Department of Justice co-organises Hong Kong Forum on 60th Anniversary of the New York Convention on international arbitration (with photo)
20.9.2018

The Hong Kong Forum: 60th Anniversary of the New York Convention was held today (September 20) to commemorate 60 years of the operation of the New York Convention. The Forum was jointly organised by the Department of Justice, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and the Asian Academy of International Law (AAIL). The event has gathered prominent experts on arbitration and mediation as well as distinguished judges coming from all four corners of the world. The Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, gave opening remarks at the Forum. Under the theme "Rejuvenating New York Convention in the 21st Century", the Forum reviewed the application of the New York Convention over the last six decades. The event also explored whether the Convention needs to be "modernised" to meet new challenges and complexities, and discussed the implications of investment mediation on the future of investment arbitration. Speaking at the Forum, the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, said that the New York Convention is an important legal infrastructure for international arbitration. Hong Kong has been actively providing training for judges in the application of the Convention. Under the New York Convention, arbitral awards made in Hong Kong can be enforced in 159 Contracting States and also in the Mainland, by way of a mutual arrangement. Hong Kong also plays an active role at international level to enhance its role as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services. Ends/Thursday, September 20, 2018 Issued at HKT 20:15 NNNN
Secretary for Justice to visit Beijing
13.9.2018

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, will visit Beijing from September 13 to 15. In Beijing, Ms Cheng will attend the annual working meeting with the Department of Treaty and Law of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She will also meet with officials of the Supreme People's Court. Ms Cheng will return to Hong Kong on September 15. Ends/Thursday, September 13, 2018 Issued at HKT 11:00 NNNN
Secretary for Justice attends Tsinghua World Forum on Rule of Law
9.9.2018

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, started her visit to Beijing today (September 9). She attended the Tsinghua World Forum on the Rule of Law, where she delivered a speech in the session on "Regional Economic Integration, Trade Disputes and the Construction of the Rule of Law" and participated in the panel discussion. In the speech, Ms Cheng said that Asia has become an active player in the development of international rule of law, especially in the field of international trade and investment. Using Hong Kong as an example of special economic zone, she highlighted the continuation of the common law system in Hong Kong under the "one country, two systems" policy. Under the theme "Global Economic Transition and Construction of the Rule of Law", the forum discussed issues including regional economic integration, trade disputes and construction of the rule of law, international investment opportunities and legal risk management, as well as legal responses to the advancements of information technologies. Ms Cheng will fly to Incheon, Korea this evening to attend the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Inter-sessional Regional Meeting on Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) Reform. She will speak on third party funding of arbitration and mediation and join the roundtable discussion. Ends/Sunday, September 9, 2018 Issued at HKT 19:00 NNNN
Secretary for Justice to visit Beijing and Korea
8.9.2018

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, will visit Beijing and Incheon, Korea, from tomorrow (September 9) to September 11. In Beijing, Ms Cheng will attend the Tsinghua World Forum on the Rule of Law, where she will deliver a speech and participate in panel discussions. Ms Cheng will then fly to Incheon, Korea in the evening on September 9 to attend the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Inter-sessional Regional Meeting on Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) Reform. She will speak on third party funding and join the roundtable discussion. She will return to Hong Kong in the evening on September 11. Ends/Saturday, September 8, 2018 Issued at HKT 13:00 NNNN
Secretary for Justice to visit Guangzhou and Shenzhen
3.9.2018

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, will visit Guangzhou and Shenzhen from tomorrow (September 4) to September 6. In Guangzhou, Ms Cheng will officiate at the opening of the fifth Hong Kong Legal Services Forum. The Forum has been held on a biennial basis in different cities on the Mainland since 2010. The theme of the Forum this year is "From Bay Area to International Arena". The Forum aims to promote the legal and dispute resolution services of Hong Kong to enterprises and other service users in the Mainland. It is part of the ongoing efforts of the Department of Justice to consolidate Hong Kong's status as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region. During her visit, Ms Cheng will also meet with officials of Guangdong Province and visit court facilities in Shenzhen. Ends/Monday, September 3, 2018 Issued at HKT 17:00 NNNN
Public consultation on proposed code of practice on third party funding of arbitration and mediation starts today
30.8.2018

The Department of Justice (DoJ) today (August 30) launched a two-month public consultation to seek views on the draft Code of Practice for Third Party Funding of Arbitration and Mediation (Code). A spokesman for the DoJ said, “The draft Code sets out the practices and standards with which third party funders of arbitration under the Arbitration Ordinance (Cap 609) and mediation under the Mediation Ordinance (Cap 620) are ordinarily expected to comply in carrying on activities in connection with third party funding of arbitration and mediation in Hong Kong.” The provisions in relation to third party funding of arbitration and mediation were enacted by the Arbitration and Mediation Legislation (Third Party Funding) (Amendment) Ordinance 2017 (Amendment Ordinance). The Amendment Ordinance is largely based on the recommendations made by the Law Reform Commission of Hong Kong in the Report of Third Party Funding of Arbitration and published in October 2016. Amongst other things, the Amendment Ordinance provides for an authorised body to be appointed and for the authorised body to issue the Code pursuant to Part 10A of the Arbitration Ordinance and section 7A of the Mediation Ordinance to issue the Code. On May 18, 2018, the Secretary for Justice was appointed as the authorised body under section 98X(2) of the Arbitration Ordinance. Before issuing the Code, the authorised body is required to consult members of the public. The Amendment Ordinance will be brought into operation after the Code is issued by the authorised body. Pursuant to section 98X(1) of the Arbitration Ordinance, Mr Anthony Chow, Mr Robert Y H Pang, SC, and Mr Victor Dawes, SC, were appointed as members of an advisory body on August 24, 2018. The advisory body will be responsible for monitoring and reviewing the operation of the provisions on third party funding of arbitration and mediation, including the implementation of the Code. The spokesman added, "It is expected that the advisory body would issue a report reviewing the operation of the Code after it has been in operation for three years and make recommendations on the way forward." The draft Code is now available on the DoJ website ( www.doj.gov.hk/eng/public/pdf/2018/tpfcode_e.pdf ). The consultation will end on October 30, 2018. Members of the public are invited to submit their comments on the draft Code 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 tpfcode@doj.gov.hk . Ends/Thursday, August 30, 2018 Issued at HKT 15:00 NNNN
Secretary for Justice visits Kwai Tsing District (with photos)
15.8.2018

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, visited Kwai Tsing District today (August 15) to keep abreast of the provision of youth services in the district and met with Kwai Tsing District Council members. Accompanied by the Chairman of the Kwai Tsing District Council, Mr Law King-shing, and the District Officer (Kwai Tsing), Mr Kenneth Cheng, Ms Cheng visited the Youth Crime Prevention Centre run by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups to learn about the operation of the centre, which provides support services for young people aged 10 to 24 who have been arrested and under police investigation, victims of the cases and their families. During the visit, Ms Cheng learned that the centre offers preventive education, crisis intervention and assessment, and counselling services. She was also briefed on an online platform, Youth Law, which provides the public with information on juvenile crime prevention and support services available. Ms Cheng then went to the Salvation Army Tai Wo Hau Children and Youth Centre, where she was introduced to services promoting the personal development of children and young people. She also exchanged views with several groups of youngsters joining summer activities in the centre. Ms Cheng said she was pleased to note that the centre serves as a neighbourhood location for connecting youngsters in the community and promoting their growth and development. Before concluding her visit, Ms Cheng met with members of the Kwai Tsing District Council and exchanged views on issues of concern. Ends/Wednesday, August 15, 2018 Issued at HKT 19:20 NNNN
Recruitment arrangement for Government Counsel applicants announced
3.8.2018

The Department of Justice today (August 3) reminded potential applicants for the post of Government Counsel (GC) that they are required to obtain a certain level of results in the Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) in order to be qualified for the post. The GC recruitment exercise will be conducted in around late August/early September this year. Similar to last year's recruitment exercise, applicants will be required to obtain a Level 2 result in the Use of English (UE) paper and a Level 1 result in the Use of Chinese (UC) paper of the CRE. In this connection, Level 5 or above in English Language in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSEE) or Grade C or above in Use of English in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) or Grade C or above in English Language in the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) are accepted as equivalent to Level 2 in the UE paper of the CRE. Furthermore, Level 4 in Chinese Language in the HKDSEE or Grade D in Chinese Language and Culture or Chinese Language and Literature in the HKALE are accepted as equivalent to Level 1 in the UC paper of the CRE. Other equivalent qualifications can also be found at www.csb.gov.hk/english/recruit/cre/949.html . Under exceptional circumstances a limited number of applicants who do not meet the requisite Chinese language requirement may be appointed subject to the operational needs of the department. Since 2008, applicants for the GC post should also take a Basic Law Test (BLT). While not mandatory, the results of the BLT will be taken into account in considering the suitability of a candidate for appointment. The next CRE and BLT will be held on October 6 and 13, in Hong Kong. Prospective GC applicants without the requisite results in the CRE or equivalent and/or those who wish to take the BLT are invited to apply between August 3 and 16, for sitting the relevant examination and/or test. Further information on the CRE and BLT is available on the homepage of the Civil Service Bureau (under the "Recruitment" section) at www.csb.gov.hk . Ends/Friday, August 3, 2018 Issued at HKT 15:30 NNNN
Views sought on proposed arrangement on reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters between Hong Kong and the Mainland
31.7.2018

The Department of Justice (DoJ) today (July 31) issued a consultation paper on the proposed arrangement between Hong Kong and the Mainland on reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters (Proposed Arrangement). Members of the community, including the legal profession, business organisations and other interested parties, are invited to submit their views on the Proposed Arrangement on or before September 24. A spokesman for the DoJ said, "The Proposed Arrangement seeks to provide a mechanism for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments (REJ) between the two places in a wider range of civil and commercial matters, reducing the need for re-litigation and offering better protection to the parties' rights." Hong Kong has so far concluded five arrangements with the Mainland concerning various aspects of mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters. Two of these arrangements provide for REJ between the two places in civil and commercial matters. The first REJ arrangement, signed in 2006, applies to money judgments made by the courts of either side where the parties to a commercial contract have agreed in writing that the court of one side will have exclusive jurisdiction to determine a dispute arising from that contract (Choice of Court Arrangement). The second arrangement, signed last year, provides for REJ in matrimonial or family matters (Matrimonial Arrangement). Given the specific scope of application of these two Arrangements, they are not able to fully address the need for a comprehensive REJ mechanism arising from the increasingly close interaction and co-operation between the two places in terms of trade and economic activities as well as social interactions. The Proposed Arrangement will provide a more comprehensive legal framework for REJ with the Mainland covering civil and commercial judgments beyond the scope of application of the Choice of Court Arrangement and the Matrimonial Arrangement. The Proposed Arrangement will set out the scope of application, requirements for reciprocal recognition and enforcement, grounds for refusal and the relevant procedural matters. The DoJ invites views and comments on various aspects of the Proposed Arrangement as well as its relationship with the Choice of Court Arrangement. All views should be submitted on or before September 24, 2018, to the China Law Unit of the Legal Policy Division of the DoJ by mail (5/F, East Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong), by fax (3918 4799) or by email ( rej@doj.gov.hk ). The consultation paper can be accessed on the DoJ's website ( www.doj.gov.hk/eng/public/2018ConsultationPaper_LPD.html ). Ends/Tuesday, July 31, 2018 Issued at HKT 17:05 NNNN