Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 Highlights City’s Role as Asia-Pacific Legal Hub

2024-11-08 17:18 Last Updated At：19:28

Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 successfully concludes

Themed "Hong Kong Common Law System: World-Class Springboard to China and Beyond", Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 concluded today (November 8). The five-day annual flagship event of the legal sector and the Department of Justice (DoJ) was attended by a total of about 2 500 participants in person and online from nearly 50 jurisdictions, demonstrating Hong Kong's status as the leading international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region.

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Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 successfully concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 successfully concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Rule of Law: The Best Business Environment event was held today as the finale of Hong Kong Legal Week 2024. The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, gave a video speech at the opening session. The Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Andrew Cheung Kui-nung, and the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, also gave their opening remarks at the session. The keynote speech was delivered by Vice-Minister of Justice Mr Wang Zhenjiang.

It was followed by a panel discussion under the main theme of "A comprehensive regime provides a stable environment for businesses to grow" to explore how Hong Kong's unique strengths including its robust legal and judicial system, stringent anti-corruption and IP (intellectual property) protection framework and transparent mechanisms for dispute resolution position Hong Kong as a premier destination for businesses aiming for growth, innovation, and success in the competitive global arena. A Fireside Chat on good stories of Hong Kong enterprises was then held to discuss how Hong Kong's strategic positioning within the national framework has enabled its enterprises to thrive both locally and globally.

The Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy was officially launched during today's event in the afternoon. Capitalising on Hong Kong's bilingual common law system and international status, the Academy will regularly organise different practical legal courses, seminars, international exchange activities and so forth to promote talent exchanges in areas along the Belt and Road. It will also provide foreign-related legal talent training for the country, as well as cultivate legal talent who are familiar with international law, common law, civil law, national legal systems as well as litigation and advocacy skills. Another panel discussion on the talent along the Belt and Road was conducted in the afternoon to examine how the next generation of talent can be better equipped to meet the evolving needs of the country's rule of law.

Mr Lam also witnessed the signing of the co-operation agreement between the Law Society of Hong Kong and the Xinjiang Lawyers Association to facilitate regular exchanges and strengthen collaboration.

The Rule of Law: The Best Business Environment event and Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 were concluded with the closing remarks by Mr Lam.

Meanwhile, the DoJ has secured the hosting of the 11th Asia and Pacific Regional Conference of the International Association of Prosecutors later this month. The DoJ will continue its efforts to organise a variety of relevant events to reinforce the public awareness of the rule of law and promote Hong Kong's status as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia‑Pacific region.

Hong Kong Government Intensifies Efforts to Assist Residents Detained in Southeast Asia for Illegal Work

2025-01-17 19:13 Last Updated At：19:28

Secretary for Security meets with Consul-General of Myanmar to follow up on cases of Hong Kong residents detained for illegal work in Southeast Asian countries

The Government attaches great importance to cases where Hong Kong residents are suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work. Following the meeting with the Consul-General of Thailand in Hong Kong yesterday (January 16), the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, today (January 17) met with the Consul-General of Myanmar in Hong Kong, with a commitment to following up on the relevant request-for-assistance cases.

Mr Tang met with the Consul-General of Myanmar in Hong Kong, Mr Han Win Naing, at his consulate premises. Mr Tang shared with him the results of the dedicated task force, comprising members from the Security Bureau, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Immigration Department, which departed for Thailand earlier to follow up on relevant cases. He exchanged views and shared information with Mr Han Win Naing on the issue and discussed strengthening future follow-up work. Mr Tang received positive feedback from Mr Han Win Naing, with all parties expressing hope to assist more assistance seekers in returning to Hong Kong safely as soon as possible.

In August 2022, the SB established a dedicated task force to co-ordinate follow-up work on the cases by relevant law enforcement departments. Since 2024 to date, law enforcement agencies have received a total of 28 requests for assistance in relation to Hong Kong residents alleging to have been detained in Southeast Asian countries and have been unable to leave. Seventeen of them have already returned. The dedicated task force will continue to follow up on the remaining 11 cases.

Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 Highlights City’s Role as Asia-Pacific Legal Hub

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