Expert Advisory Group on Legal and Dispute Resolution Services holds first meeting
The Expert Advisory Group on Legal and Dispute Resolution Services (EAG), established by the Department of Justice (DoJ) earlier this month, held its first meeting today (October 31). During the meeting, the EAG considered and endorsed its terms of reference and discussed future work andissues for follow-up.
The EAG, chaired by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, and with the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, as the vice-chairman, comprises experts from the legal and dispute resolution services sector. It advises the DoJ in respect of the promotion and development of the legal and dispute resolution services of Hong Kong for a term of three years. Its terms of reference are as follows:
Considering, formulating and advising on the overall strategies and initiatives for the promotion and development of Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution services in and outside Hong Kong;
Advising on the wider use of out-of-court dispute resolution services (including mediation and arbitration) in Hong Kong;
Serving as a forum for raising and discussing such issues as may be of concern to the legal and dispute resolution sector to enhance Hong Kong as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region; and
Considering and dealing with such other matters as may be incidental to any of the matters stated above.
Meanwhile, the Working Group on Mediation Regulatory System, chaired by Mr Lam and vice-chaired by Mr Cheung, has also been established this October for a term of two years. Members of the Working Group will advise the DoJ on the mediation regulation regime in Hong Kong, including reviewing and making recommendations to reform or improve the current regime in relation to matters such as accreditation and disciplinary matters.
The membership lists of the EAG and the Working Group are attached in Annexes 1 and 2.
Expert Advisory Group on Legal and Dispute Resolution Services holds first meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Expert Advisory Group on Legal and Dispute Resolution Services holds first meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Former registered contractor convicted for carrying out building works in a dangerous manner
The Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (October 31) ruled that a former registered general building contractor and its sub-contractor had contravened the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) (BO) and imposed each with a fine of $8,000. The Buildings Department (BD) will seek legal advice on whether to appeal against the amount of the fines imposed.
The case involved a fatal incident at a construction site at Tung Yuen Street, Yau Tong in December 2022. A worker was hit by a collapsed steel section when carrying out removal works of a temporary lateral support at the construction site, and died subsequently. An investigation by the BD found that precautionary measures had not been adequately provided by the contractor and its sub-contractor during the dismantling of the temporary lateral support. The BD initiated prosecutions against the contractor and its sub-contractor under section 40(2B)(a) of the BO in December last year.
The subject contractor (i.e. Aggressive Construction Engineering Limited) was removed from the Register of General Building Contractors on November 16 last year.
Pursuant to section 40(2B)(a) of the BO, any person directly concerned with the relevant building works, who carries out or authorises or permits such works to be carried out, in such manner that it causes injury to any person or damage to any property, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of $1,000,000 and to imprisonment for three years.
