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香港普通法制度 Hong Kong Common Law System 中外機遇之世界級跳板 World-Class Springboard to China and Beyond
4–8 November 2024 Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
2023 Highlight
The annual flagship event of the Department of Justice – the Hong Kong Legal Week – will be held from 4 to 8 November 2024. With the theme of “Hong Kong Common Law System: World Class Springboard to China and Beyond”, the Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 provides an opportunity for participants to participate in a series of professional and insightful discussions and exchanges with prominent experts, practitioners, government officials and academics on a wide spectrum of topics from international law, developments in alternative dispute resolution, opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt & Road, to the rule of law in the region and beyond.

The Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 will kick off with the Asia-Pacific International Private Law Summit, co-organised with The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT). The Summit serves as the perfect occasion for experienced legal academics and practitioners world-wide to gather and discuss the pivotal role of international private law and technology in enhancing access to credit, investment, and sustainable development across the Asia-Pacific region.

Overview of Events

Day 1
4 Nov 2024
Day 2
5 Nov 2024
Day 3
6 Nov 2024
Day 4
7 Nov 2024
Day 5
8 Nov 2024

Asia-Pacific International Private Law Summit 2024

Springboard to Opportunities: Utilising International Private Law and Technology to Facilitate Access to Credit, Investment, and Sustainable Development in the Asia-Pacific Region
HKCEC N201
9:00 – 17:00
Hybrid (in person and virtual)
English (with simultaneous interpretation in Putonghua and Cantonese)
5.5 CPD points have been accredited by The Law Society of Hong Kong
1 General ALE point has been accredited by Hong Kong Bar Association. A pupil may obtain 1 General point for each day’s attendance, subject to a maximum of 2 points for the entire Hong Kong Legal Week.

Programme

Welcome Remarks

      Mr CUI Jianchun
      Commissioner
      Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
      The Hon Paul LAM Ting-kwok, SBS, SC, JP
      Secretary for Justice, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of The People's Republic of China
      Professor Ignacio TIRADO
      Secretary-General
      The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT)

Panel 1 – Harnessing Opportunities from Digital Assets, Tokenisation and Carbon Credits

      Mr Kevin LAU
      Former Legal Officer of The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT)
      Barrister-at-law, Des Voeux Chambers
      Professor Ignacio TIRADO
      Secretary-General
      The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT)
      Professor Kelvin LOW
      Member of the Working Group on the Legal Nature of Verified Carbon Credits of The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT)
      Professor of Private Law, The University of Hong Kong
      Mr Ernest HO
      Head of Digital Finance Division
      Hong Kong Monetary Authority

Break

Panel 2 – Unleashing Economic Potential through Secured Transaction Law Reforms in the Asia-Pacific Region

      Professor Anna VENEZIANO
      Deputy Secretary-General
      The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT)
      Mr Alberto NINIO
      General Counsel
      Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
      Professor Giuliano CASTELLANO
      Deputy Director, Asian Institute of International Financial Law
      Associate Professor, The University of Hong Kong
      Mr William BRYDIE-WATSON
      Senior Legal Officer
      The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT)

Lunch (for speakers and co-organisers only)

Panel 3 – Gateway to International Investment and Sustainability

      Professor Ignacio TIRADO
      Secretary-General
      The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT)
      Dr LI Miao
      Legal Director
      China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited
      Mr Antony CROCKETT
      Partner, Asia ESG Lead
      Herbert Smith Freehills
      Professor Anna VENEZIANO
      Deputy Secretary-General
      The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT)

Break

Panel 4 – Building Bridges by Strengthening Engagement in the Asia-Pacific Region

      Dr James DING, JP
      Chair, APEC Economic Committee
      The Law Officer (International Law), Department of Justice, HKSAR
      Ms Solongoo BAYARSAIKHAN
      First Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, The Government of Mongolia
      Professor Meiling HUANG
      Co-director
      UNIDROIT Asian Transnational Law Centre (ATLC)
      Mr William BRYDIE-WATSON
      Co-director
      UNIDROIT Asian Transnational Law Centre (ATLC)
      Professor ZHAO Yun, JP
      Representative, The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH)
      Associate Dean, Faculty of Law, The University of Hong Kong
      Dr Ling YANG
      Director, Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Office, Department of Justice, HKSAR

Closing Remarks

      The Hon CHEUNG Kwok-kwan, SBS, JP
      Deputy Secretary for Justice
      Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of The People’s Republic of China

The Second Legal Forum on Interconnectivity and Development

HKCEC N201
9:00 – 12:35
Hybrid (in person and virtual)
Putonghua and English (with simultaneous interpretation in Putonghua, Cantonese and English)
3 CPD points have been accredited by The Law Society of Hong Kong
1 General ALE point has been accredited by Hong Kong Bar Association. A pupil may obtain 1 General point for each day’s attendance, subject to a maximum of 2 points for the entire Hong Kong Legal Week.

Programme

Welcome Remarks

      Mr CUI Jianchun
      Commissioner
      Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Group Photo Session

Keynote Speech :
Promoting Good Governance and High-quality Development under International Law

      Mr Alberto NINIO
      General Counsel
      Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

Session (1)
Interconnectivity of Rules: The Role of Hong Kong in the Country’s Institutional Opening-up

      Mr Roden Man Lung TONG
      President, The Law Society of Hong Kong
      Dr Anthony NEOH, SC, JP
      Co-Chairman, Asian Academy of International Law
      Topic: Practice and Experience of Hong Kong in Connecting with High-standard International Commercial and Trade Rules
      Ms AU-YEUNG Wai Yu Peggy
      Principal Government Counsel, Legal Enhancement and Development Office, Department of Justice, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
      Topic: Linkage of Rules in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area: Progress and Prospects
      Mr Philip Liang Yee YANG
      Honorary Chairperson of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC)
      Topic: HKSAR's International Arbitration Regime in Providing Unique Services to the Country’s Institutional Opening-up

Q&A

Break

Session (2)
Rule of Law as a Risk Management Mechanism to Safeguard Hong Kong’s and National Sustainable Development

      Mr Victor DAWES, BBS, SC
      Chairman of The Hong Kong Bar Association
      Professor SHEN Wei
      Professor, Koguan School of Law, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
      Topic: New Developments in Financial Sanctions and Anti-sanctions
      Professor Ian Grenville CROSS, GBS, SC
      Honorary Professor, Faculty of Law, The University of Hong Kong
      Topic: Legislative Trends on Anti-interference in Major Western Countries
      Professor LIANG Zheng
      Vice Dean, Institute for AI International Governance, Tsinghua University
      Topic: Recent Developments in the Global Regulation and Governance of Artificial Intelligence

Q&A

Closing Remarks

      The Hon Paul LAM Ting-kwok, SBS, SC, JP
      Secretary for Justice, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of The People's Republic of China

Beyond Litigation: The Vibrant Landscape of Alternative Dispute Resolution of Hong Kong

HKCEC N201
10:00 – 17:15
Hybrid (in person and virtual)
Putonghua / Cantonese / English (with simultaneous interpretation)
5 CPD points have been accredited by The Law Society of Hong Kong
5 CPD points have been accredited by Hong Kong Mediation Accreditation Association Limited (HKMAAL)
1 General ALE point has been accredited by Hong Kong Bar Association. A pupil may obtain 1 General point for each day’s attendance, subject to a maximum of 2 points for the entire Hong Kong Legal Week.

Programme

Opening Session

      The Hon Paul LAM Ting-kwok, SBS, SC, JP
      Secretary for Justice, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of The People's Republic of China

Panel Discussion : Mediation in Action : Harmony and Peace for All

Mediation can be used to effectively resolve conflicts in various sectors of the community and foster a culture that embraces mutual support, respect, harmony and inclusiveness. Our speakers will cover how mediation can help build a harmonious and stable society.
      Mr IU Ting-kwok, MH
      Founder / Director of Asia Conflict Resolution Institute; Adjunct Professor of the Department of Law of HKU and the School of Law of CityU
      Mr Patrick CHUNG
      Senior Coordinator (Mediation Services), Hong Kong Family Welfare Society (Mediation Centre)
      Ms Mimi HO
      Mediation Co-ordinator, Integrated Mediation Office (West Kowloon)
      Professor Dr LAW Wai Hung, Francis
      President, Hong Kong Mediation Centre
      Mr Kenny TANG
      Chief Investigation Officer, Office of The Ombudsman

Keynote Speech by Director-General, International Organization for Mediation Preparatory Office

      Dr SUN Jin
      Director-General, International Organization for Mediation Preparatory Office

Panel Discussion – AI-Powered ADR : Exploring the Transformative Potential in Conflict Resolution

AI powered ADR represents a significant advancement in conflict resolution. In the panel discussion, our speakers will cover the opportunities with the use of artificial intelligence in alternative dispute resolution. Our speakers will also discuss the adoption of lawtech from different perspectives and how lawtech improves legal services in Hong Kong.
      Dr Thomas SO, JP
      Chairman, eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre
      Ms Stephanie SIU
      Strategic Legal Solutions Manager, APAC, Thomson Reuters
      Mr Brian TANG
      Founding Executive Director of Law, Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Lab (LITE Lab) University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Law
      Mr Christopher YU
      Partner, Howse Williams

Fireside Chat – Experience Sharing of Resolving Sports Disputes

In Hong Kong, with its burgeoning sports scene and strong legal infrastructure, the time is becoming ripe for the establishment of a dedicated sports arbitration system to ensure the vitality of sport in the region. In this session, our speakers will share experience and insights regarding the demand, application, effectiveness and challenges of sports alternative dispute resolution.
      Mr Nick CHAN, BBS, MH, JP
      Director, AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre
      The Hon Kenneth K. K. FOK, JP
      Vice-President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China
      Mr HEW, Yang-Wahn
      Chairperson, Sports Law Committee, Hong Kong Bar Association
      Mr Ronald SUM, JP
      Council member and Chairman of Sports Law Committee,
      The Law Society of Hong Kong

2024 Hong Kong Mediation Lecture

Mediation and Sustainable Development along the Belt and Road
23rd Floor, Gloucester Tower, 15 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong
1 CPD point is applied for (pending approval of The Law Society of Hong Kong)
1 CPD point is applied for (pending approval of Hong Kong Mediation Accreditation Association Limited (HKMAAL))

Programme

2024 Hong Kong Mediation Lecture
Mediation and Sustainable Development along the Belt and Road

As a mediator with the World Bank and the Energy Community Panel, Prof. Ali will explore the unique challenges and opportunities involved in the use of mediation in deals relating to natural resources particularly in the Belt and Road Initiatives (B&R).
      Professor Shahla ALI
      Professor of Law and Associate Dean (International), University of Hong Kong Faculty of Law
      Director, LLM Program in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution, University of Hong Kong Faculty of Law

Joint Contribution to the Construction of Rule of Law in the GBA

HKCEC N201
9:30– 17:00
Hybrid (in person and virtual)
Putonghua / Cantonese / English (with simultaneous interpretation)
5.5 CPD points have been accredited by The Law Society of Hong Kong
5.5 CPD points have been accredited by Hong Kong Mediation Accreditation Association Limited (HKMAAL)
1 General ALE point has been accredited by Hong Kong Bar Association. A pupil may obtain 1 General point for each day’s attendance, subject to a maximum of 2 points for the entire Hong Kong Legal Week.

Programme

Opening Session

      The Hon Paul LAM Ting-kwok, SBS, SC, JP
      Secretary for Justice, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of The People's Republic of China
      Mr CHEN Xudong
      Director-General
      Department of Justice of Guangdong Province
      Ms LEONG Weng In, Coco
      Director of the Legal Affairs Bureau of the Government of the Macao SAR

Keynote speech: Practical Experience Sharing on the Judicial Implementation of Proof of Foreign Law

Thematic Dialogue : Proof of Hong Kong Law in Mainland Courts

Discussing the practice on the proof of Hong Kong law in Mainland courts and how to further enhance its effectiveness.
      Ms AU-YEUNG Wai Yu, Peggy
      Principal Government Counsel,
      Legal Enhancement and Development Office,
      Department of Justice,
      The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
      Mr Neville CHENG
      Partner, CAN Lawyers
      Mr Stephen WONG
      Senior Partner, Beijing DOCVIT Law Firm (Shenzhen Office)

Break

Legal services and juridical relations – Contributing to the construction of the rule of law in the Greater Bay Area and providing greater convenience and stronger legal protection for trade and economic activities and social interactions between Hong Kong and the Mainland

Keynote Speech: A Judicial Officer’s perspective on the operation of the arrangements on mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters between Hong Kong and the Mainland

Hong Kong and the Mainland have so far concluded a total of nine arrangements on mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters, covering procedural assistance, arbitration matters, and mutual recognition and enforcement of judgments relating to matrimonial and family cases, bankruptcy or winding-up proceedings and other civil and commercial matters. This highly targeted yet comprehensive mutual legal assistance regime is one of the key contributing factors to Hong Kong’s unique competitiveness in legal and dispute resolution services, giving Hong Kong an advantage that is unavailable to other jurisdictions. These arrangements fully demonstrate the effective implementation of the fundamental policy of "one country, two systems", and at the same time further consolidates Hong Kong's competitiveness as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services. A representative from the Judiciary will discuss the current mutual legal assistance arrangements, as well as share the practical operation and legal protection of relevant arrangements from the perspective of the Judiciary and the Court’s experience in handling relevant cases.
      Mr Simon KWANG Cheok-weung
      Registrar of the High Court, The Judiciary of the HKSAR

Panel Discussion : Legal Services and Juridical Relations – Contributing to the Construction of Rule of Law in the Greater Bay Area and Providing Greater Convenience and Stronger Legal Protection for Trade and Economic Activities and Social Interactions between Hong Kong and the Mainland

In this session, speakers from the legal profession, including barristers and solicitors who have passed the Greater Bay Area Legal Professional Examination, through sharing their experiences of practising in the GBA, discuss the construction of the rule of law in the GBA. Speakers will also share their practical experiences on the various arrangements, in particular on insolvency matters including their scope of application and how they benefit the flow of trade and welfare between Hong Kong and the Mainland. This session seeks to allow the legal and business sectors to develop a greater understanding of the opportunities, one-stop shop of cross-border and cross-jurisdictional legal services and the use of the arrangements, in turn facilitating legal development in the GBA.
      Mr Richard KHAW, SC
      Barrister, Temple Chambers
      Mr HO Look-Chan
      Barrister, Des Voeux Chambers
      Ms Careen H.Y. WONG
      Founding Partner of Shum Wong & Co., Solicitors
      Mr Henry YU
      Partner, L & Y Law Office

Lunch (for speakers and selected guests)

Greater Bay Area Mediation - Effectively Coordinating “One Country, Two Systems and Three Jurisdictions”

Mock Mediation Demonstration

The aim of this Mock Mediation session is to demonstrate effective dispute resolution by mediation through the staging of a mock mediation conducted by Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao mediators, followed by panel discussion to analyse the differences in the approach or procedures on mediation between the three jurisdictions in the GBA, and understand cross-boundary disputes, cultural co-ordination and communication, technology and online mediation.
      Ms Josephine MA
      Vice-Chairperson, Hong Kong Mediation Council Limited (HKMCL)
      Ms Mylene CHAN
      Member, Hong Kong Mediation Council Limited (HKMCL)
      Mr Eric XU
      Associate, Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP
      Mr YAO Junyi
      Deputy Secretary-General of CCPIT Mediation Center
      Ms CAI Chenfeng
      Director-General, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Commercial Legal Service Center
      Ms YUAN Rui
      Case Manager of CCPIT Mediation Center
      Ms LO Pui Kei
      Accredited Mediator, World Trade Center Macau Arbitration Center
      Ms FONG Mei Lin
      Accredited Mediator, World Trade Center Macau Arbitration Center
      Ms LAM Ka Vai
      Accredited Mediator, World Trade Center Macau Arbitration Center

Greater Bay Area Mediation - Effectively coordinating “One Country, Two Systems and Three Jurisdictions”

Discussion and Explanation of the GBA Mediation Platform

In this session, participants from the three jurisdictions in the GBA in the mock mediation will discuss the differences in the approach or procedures on mediation and how the three jurisdictions are co-operating to foster the professional development of the mediators and mediation in the GBA. A representative of the DOJ as the drafter of the two mediation standards and the Model Rules will introduce its key features and highlight how they could reflect the unique characteristics of “One Country, Two Systems and Three Jurisdictions”.
      Mr Samuel LEE
      Deputy Law Officer (Civil Law), Civil Division, Department of Justice
      Ms Josephine MA
      Vice-Chairperson, Hong Kong Mediation Council Limited (HKMCL)
      Ms Rosita VONG
      Secretary-General, World Trade Center Macau Arbitration Center
      Mr Jianlong YU
      Vice Chairman, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT)
      Chairman, Mediation Center of CCPIT

Closing Remarks

      The Hon CHEUNG Kwok-kwan, SBS, JP
      Deputy Secretary for Justice
      Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of The People’s Republic of China

GBA Lawyers Exchange Reception [Full]

Venue : Former French Mission Building (1 Battery Path, Central)

(With drinks and light refreshments)
(By invitation)

Rule of Law: The Best Business Environment

HKCEC N201
9:30 – 16:30
Hybrid (in person and virtual)
Putonghua / Cantonese / English (with simultaneous interpretation)
4.5 CPD points have been accredited by The Law Society of Hong Kong
1 General ALE point has been accredited by Hong Kong Bar Association. A pupil may obtain 1 General point for each day’s attendance, subject to a maximum of 2 points for the entire Hong Kong Legal Week.

Programme

Opening Session

      The Hon John LEE Ka-chiu, GBM, SBS, PDSM, PMSM
      Chief Executive, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of The People’s Republic of China
      The Hon Andrew CHEUNG Kui-nung, GBM
      The Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of The People’s Republic of China
      The Hon Paul LAM Ting-kwok, SBS, SC, JP
      Secretary for Justice, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of The People's Republic of China

Keynote Speech: Developments in our Nation’s Rule of Law and the Role of Hong Kong’s Legal Services Profession

Break

Panel Discussion – A Comprehensive Regime Provides a Stable Environment for Businesses to Grow

Hong Kong's robust legal and judicial system, stringent anti-corruption and IP protection framework is essential to sustaining its business-friendly environment. The city's transparent mechanisms for dispute resolution, uncompromising stance on corruption and capability to protect and support innovation collectively safeguard business interests. In this session, speakers from these sectors will converge to explore how these critical components position Hong Kong as a premier destination for businesses aiming for growth, innovation, and success in the competitive global arena.
      The Honourable Mr Justice David LOK
      Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of The People’s Republic of China
      Dr Patrick LAU
      Deputy Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council
      Mr Bryan CHONG Ka-lok
      Director of Corruption Prevention, The Independent Commission Against Corruption
      Mr José-Antonio MAURELLET, SC
      Vice Chairman, Hong Kong Bar Association
      Mr Roden Man Lung TONG
      President, The Law Society of Hong Kong
      Mr Mark WOO, CDSM
      Deputy Commissioner (Control and Enforcement), Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department

Fireside Chat – Good Stories of Hong Kong Enterprises

In this session, our guest speakers from the asset management and medical technology sectors will share the success story of their business in Hong Kong. They will explore how Hong Kong's strategic positioning within the national framework has enabled its enterprise to thrive both locally and globally.
      Mr Herman TSE
      Head, Business and Professional Services, Industries Coverage Group, Invest Hong Kong
      Mr KWAN Chi Man
      Group Chief Executive Officer
      Raffles Family Office
      Mr Simon YEUNG
      Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Time Medical Systems

Launch of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy

Panel Discussion – Our Talents in the Belt & Road

Hong Kong's robust legal and regulatory framework owes much to its exceptional legal and dispute resolution talent. As we further integrate into the nation's Rule of Law, this talent plays an increasingly significant role in national policies and strategies, including the Belt and Road Initiative. In this session, our speakers will delve into the current contributions of Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution professionals along the Belt and Road. They will also discuss how the next generation of talent can be better equipped to meet the evolving needs of our nation's Rule of Law.
      Dr Ling YANG
      Director, Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Office, Department of Justice, HKSAR
      Professor CHANG Baoguo
      Dean of the School of Discipline, Inspection and Supervision, China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL)
      Special Inspector of the National Supervisory Commission
      Ms Sabrina HO
      Secretary, Standing Committee of Mainland Affairs, Hong Kong Bar Association
      Professor Meiling HUANG
      Co-director
      UNIDROIT Asian Transnational Law Centre (ATLC)
      Mr Fred KAN
      Founder, the Belt and Road Committee, Law Society of Hong Kong
      Professor Peter MALANCZUK
      Member of the Academic Advisory Council of the University of Heidelberg
      Member of the International Commercial Expert Committee of the Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China
      Council Member of the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA)

Review of Hong Kong Legal Week 2024

Closing Remarks

      The Hon Paul LAM Ting-kwok, SBS, SC, JP
      Secretary for Justice, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of The People's Republic of China