Ho: Policy Address brings brighter prospects for legal sector

Editor's note: Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor delivered her fifth Policy Address on Wednesday. How do the people in Hong Kong respond to the new initiatives she has outlined? Here are some answers China Daily has gathered.

1. The government plans to attract international legal and dispute resolution organizations to set up arbitration centers and hold decision-making meetings in Hong Kong. What is the significance of such measures? What does it mean for the local practitioners and the business community at large in the city and the Greater Bay Area?

The plan is welcomed as it will showcase Hong Kong's strength as an international dispute resolution center. The arrangement would allow international dispute resolution organizations to experience first-hand professional and high-quality legal services here. Hong Kong's unique strength as the only common law jurisdiction in the People's Republic of China can be also promoted, especially in the area of cross-border disputes involving the Chinese mainland parties.

The plan is exciting for Hong Kong practitioners. With the setting up of arbitration centers of international dispute resolution organizations and holding of important conferences here, Hong Kong will hopefully become a hub for international arbitration, as well as a bridge between the Chinese mainland and the world. It is hoped that international conventions and treaties relating to dispute resolution will be signed in the city in the future. This will reinforce Hong Kong's leading position in the international dispute resolution arena.

2. Could you share with us a memorable antidote that you find meaningful and illustrative of the vast opportunities that lie ahead for Hong Kong's legal sector practitioners?

The recent memorable experience would be taking the examination for Hong Kong legal practitioners to practice law in the Greater Bay Area. The exam was held on July 31 and results were released on Sept 30. I was fortunate to pass the exam.

Preparation for the exam was interesting, yet challenging. It was the first time that I myself and other Hong Kong practitioners got the opportunity to study and understand the comprehensive statutes of the nation.

After passing the exam, the Hong Kong practitioners would qualify to practice law in nine mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area in civil and commercial areas. The Hong Kong practitioners will be able to handle both contentious and non-contentious matters in the designated areas. In particular, it is anticipated that practitioners form the SAR would be actively involved in cross-border merger and deals, commercial dispute resolution as well as company insolvency matters.

Apart from practicing in the Chinese mainland, I am personally looking forward to meeting and exchanging ideas with other legal practitioners there through, for example, the Guangdong Lawyer Association. It is only through direct communication that we would be able to fully understand the practice and culture of our respective legal systems and work together to enhance the competitiveness of the Greater Bay Area as a legal dispute resolution center.