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2021 International Arbitration Survey released by Queen Mary University of London (May 7, 2021): Hong Kong ranked third most preferred seat for arbitration globally

NewsMON 2021.05.31

Closing remarks by Justin D'Agostino at "Why Use Hong Kong Law" webinar (31 May 2021)

NewsTUE 2021.06.01

Thank you to the Secretary for Justice, to the Chief Judge Mr Justice Poon, and to all the panellists for an a...

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China Daily: International arbitration: Hong Kong shows the world its worth by Grenville Cross

NewsWED 2021.06.02

Look Chan Ho, Barrister
Des Voeux Chambers

The recent cross-border insolvency arrangement between Hong Kong and the Mainland shows the great advantage of one country two systems, and it reflects the importance of Hong Kong as an international financial centre and an international restructuring hub.

Andrew Weir, MBE JP
Global Chairman
Asset Management and Hong Kong Senior Partner, KPMG

The recent introduction of Limited Partnership funds, Unified Funds Exemption and Tax Concession for carried interest strongly support the further development of Hong Kong as a leading Private Equity and Fund hub attractive to global, regional and domestic player.

Paul Starr
Partner and Practice Leader HK DR/Infrastructure Joint Coordinator International Arbitration Team King & Wood Mallesons

Drafting Hong Kong arbitration clauses offers parties contracting with PRC entities anywhere in the world unique protections, not available if other jurisdictions are selected. Foremost is asset protection/freezing in the PRC, available only where parties have pre-nominated Hong Kong arbitration by one of the qualifying institutions . Gone are the days, therefore, where Belt and Road countries should tell their citizens “ let investors arbitrate here”. That asset protection is thereby lost.

Paul Starr
Partner and Practice Leader HK DR/Infrastructure Joint Coordinator International Arbitration Team King & Wood Mallesons

On infrastructure projects, parties should also consider expressly nominating Hong Kong law, both as the contract’s governing law and separately of its arbitration agreement. They will save them time and cost, in not having to produce independent expert reports on foreign laws and subjecting those experts to cross-examination. More significantly, Hong Kong law has developed cutting-edge answers to many of the construction industry’s conundra over, for example; the occurrence of defects; giving of contractual notices; parties’ specific intent overriding the document precedence clause; the relationship of project completion to outstanding work; record-keeping.

Ronald Sum, Head of Dispute Resolution Asia, Addleshaw Goddard (Hong Kong) LLP

I support the Department of Justice to keep pace with global changes by capitialising on modern technology with a view to consolidating our role as an international legal hub for legal, deal-making and dispute resolution services.

I Grenville Cross SBS, SC, Vice-Chairman (Senate) at The International Association of Prosecutors

"Vision 2030 for Rule of Law", will teach young people about the rule of law and also promote their awareness of law-abiding issues, through collaboration with the various stakeholders. I feel sure the programme will enhance the community's proper understanding of the rule of law, and of how it operates in practice.

Justin D’Agostino, CEO, Herbert Smith Freehills

The new Legal Cloud for Hong Kong is a worthy investment, both in the new digital law technology shaping the future of our profession, and in Hong Kong’s long-term strength as a dispute resolution hub.

The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, PC, Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, retired Chief Justice of Canada

The court (in Hong Kong) is very independent, the judges are very high caliber. So they don’t need somebody, in my opinion, to tell them what to do. And that’s not the role.

Dr Thomas So, JP, Partner, Mayer Brown, HKSAR

Hong Kong, as an international legal hub, will further enhance the capability of its legal profession by harnessing modern technology in the provision of legal and dispute resolution services.

The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, PC, Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, retired Chief Justice of Canada

The presence of judges from England, Australia or Canada on the court, signing on to the decisions, enhances public confidence in their (Hong Kong’s) justice system and in those decisions.

Non-Permanent Judges of the Court of Final Appeal, the Right Honourable the Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury (former President of the Supreme Court of England and Wales who presided the Brexit case)

At the moment I detect no undermining of judicial independence [in Hong Kong]. If I felt that the independence of the judiciary in Hong Kong was being undermined then I would either have to speak out or I would have to resign as a judge.

The Right Honourable Lord Sumption, Non-Permanent Judge, Court of Final Appeal, Former Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom

The permanent judiciary of Hong Kong is completely committed to judicial independence and the rule of law.