Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 successfully concludes (with photos)

     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.

     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.