kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Inaugural GBA Legal Professional Examination to be held next January
20.11.2020

The Department of Justice (DoJ) welcomed the notice recently issued by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) on the details of the 2021 GBA Legal Professional Examination. A briefing, co-hosted by the DoJ, the Bureau of Lawyers' Work of the MoJ, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the MoJ, the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province and the Legal Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, was held yesterday (November 19) for the legal sector to have a better understanding of the relevant policies as well as, the current position and development opportunities for legal services in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The briefing attracted enthusiastic responses with over 700 online participants. Pursuant to the decision adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on authorising the State Council to implement the pilot programme regarding the GBA Legal Examination, as well as the pilot measures released by the General Office of the State Council on Hong Kong and Macao legal practitioners to obtain Mainland practice qualifications and to practise as lawyers in the nine Pearl River Delta municipalities in the GBA, the MoJ issued the notice recently on the details of the examination. 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 Pearl River Delta municipalities in the GBA on specified civil and commercial matters (including litigation and non-litigation matters) to which the Mainland laws apply after passing the examination and obtaining a lawyer's practice certificate (Greater Bay Area). The GBA Legal Professional Examination offers significant opportunities for the Hong Kong legal services sector to provide Mainland legal services in the GBA, as well as provide diversified legal services and safeguards to clients in the GBA, including wholly-owned Hong Kong enterprises. The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, said, "I am truly grateful to the MoJ for its staunch support all along. This examination is a measure which has responded to the suggestions and aspirations of the Hong Kong legal sector by lowering the threshold for Hong Kong legal practitioners to practise Mainland law in the GBA. It will no doubt provide a huge stage for the sector's development in the Mainland." The examination will be held on January 30, 2021. Eligible applicants can apply through the website of the MoJ on or before November 26. For more details, please visit: gba.examos.cn/lawyertop/login.html . Ends/Friday, November 20, 2020 Issued at HKT 19:59 NNNN
Basic Law 30th Anniversary Legal Summit to be held tomorrow
16.11.2020

The Basic Law 30th Anniversary Legal Summit with the theme "Back to Basics", organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ), will be held tomorrow (November 17). This year marks the 30th anniversary of the promulgation of the Basic Law. To foster exchanges between the legal professions in Hong Kong and the Mainland and share the experiences of successful implementation of the Basic Law, the DoJ will host the first legal summit on the promulgation of the Basic Law. The summit also aims to promote public understanding of "one country, two systems" and the relationship between the Constitution and the Basic Law. Renowned local and Mainland legal professionals, Basic Law experts and academics will join the summit to share their insights and experiences on "one country, two systems", the Constitution and the Basic Law. The summit will be held virtually via live webcast. For more information and details on the event and the live webcast, please visit the dedicated website at www.legalhub.gov.hk/events_detail.php?l=en&a=115# . Ends/Monday, November 16, 2020 Issued at HKT 14:00 NNNN
Hong Kong Legal Week 2020 launched today (with photo)
2.11.2020

The opening of the Hong Kong Legal Week 2020 was held today (November 2) at the former French Mission Building. Today also marked the opening of the Hong Kong Legal Hub and the official launch of the "Vision 2030 for Rule of Law" ("Vision 2030"). This remarkable event signified an important milestone in the Department of Justice's work on enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international legal hub for legal, deal-making and dispute resolution services, as well as promoting and strengthening the rule of law. The Hong Kong Legal Hub comprises the offices of the Department of Justice housed in the historical building of the former Central Government Offices, the former French Mission Building which is a declared monument and part of Two Exchange Square. By consolidating top-notch local, regional and international law-related organisations in the heart of the central business district, the Hong Kong Legal Hub will attract global legal and dispute resolution talents to Hong Kong, providing a platform for the provision of premier legal services which will significantly contribute to business and economic growth in this region and beyond ( www.legalhub.gov.hk ). "Vision 2030" is a 10-year visionary initiative which seeks to promote the proper understanding and recognition of the rule of law through professional exchanges, research and capacity building with stakeholders including youths, legal practitioners and academics, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of inclusive and rule-based societies at both the local and international levels. The Hong Kong Legal Week is an annual flagship event of the Department of Justice. In response to the challenges posed by COVID-19, for the first time, the opening ceremony and a series of webinars will be broadcast live from November 2 to 6. As part of the "Vision 2030" initiative and in support of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Inaugural Rule of Law Congress, with the theme "Towards 2030: A Decade of Action for Rule of Law" will be held tomorrow (November 3). Renowned local and international legal professionals, academics and experts will share their insights and experiences on legal and dispute resolution issues of current times through an array of webinars during the week. For more information and details, please visit the dedicated website at www.legalweek.hk . Ends/Monday, November 2, 2020 Issued at HKT 18:56 NNNN
Injunction to restrain doxxing against Judicial Officers granted
30.10.2020

The Court of First Instance of the High Court today (October 30) granted an interim injunction to restrain persons from unlawfully and wilfully conducting doxxing activities against Judicial Officers and their family members, or intimidating, harassing or threatening the same. The interim injunction will remain in force up to and including Friday, November 13, 2020 at 10.30am when the application returns to Court. The Secretary for Justice as guardian of public interest applied to the Court for an ex parte injunction to restrain persons from unlawfully and willfully conducting themselves in those acts. Since November 2019, there have been numerous doxxing activities against Judicial Officers and their families on social media platforms, and such activities continue to emerge in recent months. These doxxing activities are simply not acceptable. As pointed out by the Court in its recent decision in a contempt of court application, doxxing itself is capable of constituting criminal activity. Any law breaking behaviour against members of the Judiciary and their families will not be condoned. It is the responsibility of the Secretary for Justice as the guardian of public interest to take appropriate steps to safeguard the due administration of justice and uphold the rule of law. Any person who violates the interim injunction order may be held in contempt of court, and is liable to imprisonment or a fine. Ends/Friday, October 30, 2020 Issued at HKT 22:45 NNNN
Hong Kong legal practitioners allowed to practise in the Mainland upon passing examination
23.10.2020

The Department of Justice (DoJ) welcomed the document released by the General Office of the State Council yesterday (October 22) containing guidelines on the pilot programme for Hong Kong and Macao legal practitioners to obtain Mainland practice qualifications and to practise law in the nine Pearl River Delta municipalities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The document specified the requirements for the legal professional qualifying examination, the scope of business and more. It would enable the expansion of professional service by the local practising solicitors and barristers in the Greater Bay Area after obtaining their Mainland practice qualifications. Since the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress passed the decision on authorising the State Council on the implementation of pilot programme on August 11, the DoJ has maintained close communication with relevant Mainland authorities to reflect views and expectations of the department and Hong Kong legal sector on areas including eligibility for the examination, training methods and the scope of business. The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, said, "I am delighted to learn that under the guidelines, the solicitors and barristers with five years of post-qualification experience are allowed to apply for the examination. As such, young legal practitioners are enabled to grasp the opportunities in the Greater Bay Area. I also thank the Ministry of Justice for organising relevant legal training to prepare and equip Hong Kong's legal practitioners for the examination." Ms Cheng believed that the arrangement by the Central Authorities for Hong Kong solicitors and barristers to provide legal services regarding specified civil and commercial affairs (including litigation and non-litigation businesses) using the Mainland's applicable laws in the Greater Bay Area, as well as to enjoy the same privileges and under the same obligations as Mainland lawyers, will foster the mutually complementary co-operation relationship between Hong Kong and Guangdong. Legal practitioners from Hong Kong will join hands with those in the Mainland to provide legal services to enterprises (including Hong Kong enterprises) in the Greater Bay Area. She encouraged practising solicitors and barristers to capitalise on the development of the Greater Bay Area and further enhance Hong Kong's legal service. Ms Cheng noted the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as an important national strategy, and pointed out that Hong Kong must seize the precious opportunity brought by the Greater Bay Area, leverage in the advantages and enhance business co-operation among the three places, so as to meet the goal of enhancing the cross-boundary co-operative mechanism on the rule of law aspect and the robust international legal service and dispute resolutions mechanism. Ends/Friday, October 23, 2020 Issued at HKT 21:40 NNNN
Public services of DoJ to resume as normal from September 14
13.9.2020

The public services provided by the Department of Justice will resume as normal from September 14. The opening hours of the reception counters of the Prosecutions Division and Civil Division, as well as the shroff office of the Civil Division are as follows: * Reception counters Prosecutions Division - 12/F, West Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central Monday to Friday: 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm Civil Division - 6/F, East Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central Monday to Friday: 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm * Shroff office Civil Division - 8/F, West Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central Monday to Friday: 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm In order to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19, a body temperature check has been arranged for all persons, including staff and visitors, entering the Justice Place through any of its entrances. Anyone found to have fever will be advised to refrain from entering the Justice Place. Body temperature measurements may need to be taken more than once when commuting within the premises. Ends/Sunday, September 13, 2020 Issued at HKT 16:00 NNNN
oJ continues to provide basic and essential services
21.8.2020

In view of the latest developments of COVID-19, the Department of Justice announced today (August 21) that the following basic and essential services will continue to be provided from August 24 onwards: * Reception Counters Prosecutions Division - 12/F, West Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm Civil Division - 6/F, East Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm * Shroff Office Civil Division - 8/F, West Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central Tuesday and Thursday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm Members of the public and the legal profession can continue to serve or submit court documents and other correspondence in matters handled by the two Divisions to the respective counters and make payment to the Shroff Office. While the documents will be processed as quickly as possible, the response time may be longer than usual. The Department of Justice will keep the provision of various public services under review and make preparations for the gradual resumption of normal services. Ends/Friday, August 21, 2020 Issued at HKT 16:00 NNNN
Special work arrangements for DoJ from August 17 to 21
14.8.2020

To align with the special work arrangements announced by the Government to stop COVID-19 from further spreading in the community, the Department of Justice announced today (August 14) that the following basic and essential services will be provided: * Reception Counters Prosecutions Division - 12/F, West Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central August 17 to 21, 2020 (Monday to Friday) 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm Civil Division - 6/F, East Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central August 17 to 21, 2020 (Monday to Friday) 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm * Shroff Office Civil Division - 8/F, West Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central August 18 and 20, 2020 (Tuesday and Thursday) 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm Members of the public and the legal profession can continue to serve or submit court documents and other correspondence in matters handled by the two Divisions to the respective counters and make payment to the Shroff Office. While the documents will be processed as quickly as possible, the response time may be longer than usual. The Department of Justice will keep the provision of various public services under review and make preparations for the gradual resumption of normal services. Ends/Friday, August 14, 2020 Issued at HKT 16:00 NNNN
Recruitment arrangement for Government Counsel applicants announced
14.8.2020

The Department of Justice today (August 14) 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 Department is planning to conduct the GC recruitment exercise 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. Applicants for the GC post should also take a Basic Law Test (BLT). The results of the BLT, while not mandatory, will be taken into account in considering the suitability of a candidate for appointment. The next CRE and BLT will be held in Hong Kong on October 10 and 17 or another date in October if necessary. 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 7 to 20, 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 14, 2020 Issued at HKT 11:35 NNNN
Special work arrangements for DoJ from August 10 to 14
7.8.2020

To align with the special work arrangements announced by the Government to stop COVID-19 from further spreading in the community, the Department of Justice announced today (August 7) that the following basic and essential services will be provided: * Reception Counters Prosecutions Division - 12/F, West Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central August 10 to 14, 2020 (Monday to Friday) 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm Civil Division - 6/F, East Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central August 10 to 14, 2020 (Monday to Friday) 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm * Shroff Office Civil Division - 8/F, West Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central August 11, 2020 (Tuesday) and August 13, 2020 (Thursday) 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm Members of the public and the legal profession can continue to serve or submit court documents and other correspondence in matters handled by the two Divisions to the respective counters and make payments to the Shroff Office. While the documents will be processed as quickly as possible, the response time may be longer than usual. Ends/Friday, August 7, 2020 Issued at HKT 16:00 NNNN
Special work arrangements for DoJ from August 3 to 7
31.7.2020

To align with the special work arrangements announced by the Government to stop COVID-19 from further spreading in the community, the Department of Justice announced today (July 31) that the following basic and essential services will be provided: * Reception Counters Prosecutions Division - 12/F, West Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central August 3 to 7, 2020 (Monday to Friday) 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm Civil Division - 6/F, East Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central August 3 to 7, 2020 (Monday to Friday) 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm * Shroff Office Civil Division - 8/F, West Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central August 4, 2020 (Tuesday) and August 6, 2020 (Thursday) 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm Members of the public and the legal profession can continue to serve or submit court documents and other correspondence in matters handled by the two Divisions to the respective counters and make payments to the Shroff Office. While the documents will be processed as quickly as possible, the response time may be longer than usual. Ends/Friday, July 31, 2020 Issued at HKT 16:00 NNNN
Special work arrangements for DoJ from July 27 to 31 and postponement of interviews for Court Prosecutor Recruitment Exercise
24.7.2020

To align with the special work arrangements announced by the Government to stop COVID-19 from further spreading in the community, the Department of Justice announced today (July 24) that the following basic and essential services will be provided: * Reception Counters Prosecutions Division - 12/F, West Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central July 27 to 31, 2020 (Monday to Friday) 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm Civil Division - 6/F, East Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central July 27 to 31, 2020 (Monday to Friday) 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm * Shroff Office Civil Division - 8/F, West Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central July 28, 2020 (Tuesday) and July 30, 2020 (Thursday) 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm Members of the public and the legal profession can continue to serve or submit court documents and other correspondence in matters handled by the two Divisions to the respective counters and make payment to the Shroff Office. While the documents will be processed as quickly as possible, the response time may be longer than usual. Meanwhile, the selection interviews for the Court Prosecutor Recruitment Exercise scheduled for July 27 to 30 will be postponed until further notice. Ends/Friday, July 24, 2020 Issued at HKT 16:00 NNNN
Further extension of application period for LawTech Fund
24.7.2020

In view of the latest epidemic developments, the deadline for application for the LawTech Fund (the Fund), established by the Government under the second round of the Anti-epidemic Fund, will be extended for six weeks to September 6 to allow more time for eligible law firms and chambers to prepare for the applications. The Fund has been open for applications since April and aims to assist some small and medium-size law firms and barristers' chambers in procuring and upgrading information technology systems and arranging for their staff to attend lawtech training courses. Law firms or chambers which have five or fewer practising lawyers as at April 8, 2020 (the date of announcing the establishment of the Fund), and at the time of granting the subsidy, will be eligible for reimbursement for an amount of up to $50,000. Around 400 applications have been received so far. The Law Society of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Bar Association have established a Joint Committee to process and assess the applications for the Fund, as well as to arrange the disbursement of the funding. The application form and the guidance notes are available at the homepages of the Law Society of Hong Kong ( www.hklawsoc.org.hk ) and the Hong Kong Bar Association ( www.hkba.org/covid-19/lawtech-fund ). The Government encourages around 700 eligible law firms and chambers in Hong Kong to fully utilise the subsidy under the Fund to enhance their technological capabilities, so as to keep up with the Judiciary's development in remote hearings and make good use of technology to provide legal services to clients amidst social distancing measures. Ends/Friday, July 24, 2020 Issued at HKT 12:00 NNNN
Special work arrangements for DoJ between July 20 and 24 and postponement of interview for Court Prosecutor Recruitment Exercise
19.7.2020

To align with the special work arrangements announced by the Government to stop COVID-19 from further spreading in the community, the Department of Justice announced today (July 19) that the following basic and essential services will be provided: * Reception Counters Prosecutions Division - 12/F, West Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central July 20 to 24, 2020 (Monday to Friday) 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm Civil Division - 6/F, East Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central July 20 to 24, 2020 (Monday to Friday) 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm * Shroff Office Civil Division - 8/F, West Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central July 21, 2020 (Tuesday) and July 23, 2020 (Thursday) 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm Members of the public and the legal profession can continue to serve or submit court documents and other correspondence in matters handled by the two Divisions to the respective counters and make payment to the Shroff Office. While the documents will be processed as quickly as possible, the response time may be longer than usual. Meanwhile, the selection interview for the Court Prosecutor Recruitment Exercise scheduled for July 20 to 24 will be postponed until further notice. A further announcement will be made later this week for the selection interview scheduled for July 27 to 30. Ends/Sunday, July 19, 2020 Issued at HKT 20:00 NNNN