Policy Address

Centre for International Legal and Dispute Resolution Services in the Asia-Pacific Region

52. As an international legal centre, Hong Kong possesses a robust legal system, a solid foundation of the rule of law and a rich pool of outstanding legal talents. Last year, Hong Kong was ranked the third most preferred seat for arbitration globally. Leveraging the advantages of our common law system, we will attract more international dispute resolution institutions to set up offices in Hong Kong, and will consolidate our strengths as an international legal services platform for deal making and dispute resolution. To enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the legal sector, we will also promote the wider use of LawTech. We will:

1. enhance promotion – Starting with the "Hong Kong Law Week 2022" scheduled for this November, the Department of Justice (DoJ) will lead delegations of local legal profession to conduct overseas visits from next year to showcase to the international community the advantages of Hong Kong's rule of law as well as our diversified legal and dispute resolution services under the common law system, in particular the various mutual legal assistance arrangements on civil and commercial matters between Hong Kong and the Mainland;

2. support emerging industries – The DoJ will develop user-friendly and practical legal guides and tools, such as boilerplates of commonly used contractual terms, for financial services, I&T, arts, cultural and creative industries, etc., to facilitate the provision and use of legal services by those within and outside the industry; and

3. enhance interaction with the GBA – The DoJ will establish a task force to focus on strengthening mutual legal assistance between the GBA and Hong Kong, and facilitating the convergence of legal practices between the two places. The DoJ will also establish an online mediation platform dedicated to dispute resolution in the GBA within next year to facilitate interactions between people and business of the two places.