Speakers' Profiles
Case Settlement Conference Pilot Scheme to be launched in District Court of the Judiciary






Live Broadcast of the Opening of the Hong Kong Legal Week 2020 cum Opening of Hong Kong Legal Hub | ||
Date: NOV 02 ; 17:00 - 17:50 (GMT+8) | ||
Inaugural Rule of Law Congress “Towards 2030: A Decade of Action for Rule of Law” | ||
Date: NOV 03 ; 15:00 - 18:20 (GMT+8) | ||
Fourteenth Annual Generations in Arbitration Conference | ||
Date: NOV 04 ; 09:30 - 16:30 (GMT+8) If you wish to register for the Fourteenth Annual Generations in Arbitration Conference, please visit here. |
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Hong Kong Mediation Lecture | ||
Date: NOV 04 ; 19:00 (GMT+8) If you wish to register for the Hong Kong Mediation Lecture, please visit here. |
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Case Settlement Conference Pilot Scheme to be launched in District Court of the Judiciary | ||
Date: NOV 05 ; 9:50 - 12:15 (GMT+8) CPD points: 2 |
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Sports Dispute Resolution Conference | ||
Date: NOV 05 ; 15:00 - 19:00 (GMT+8) CPD points: 3 |
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Mediation Conference 2020 “Mediate First – More Than You Can Imagine” MORNING SESSION | ||
Date: NOV 06 ; 9:30 - 11:30 (GMT+8) CPD points: 5 (2 for am and 3 for pm) |
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Mediation Conference 2020 “Mediate First – More Than You Can Imagine” AFTERNOON SESSION | ||
Date: NOV 06 ; 15:00 - 18:10 (GMT+8) CPD points: 5 (2 for am and 3 for pm) |
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The COVID-19 pandemic may have disrupted lives of many around the world. Yet, amidst the difficult times, we rise to the challenges and aspire to carry on business as usual. The Hong Kong Legal Week 2020, with a range of dedicated events for professionals and practitioners, will be held virtually from 2 to 6 November 2020.
Cherishing the importance of the rule of law as a core value of Hong Kong, the opening of the Hong Kong Legal Week 2020 will feature the official launch of “Vision 2030 for Rule of Law", a ten-year visionary initiative, which is a commitment by the Department of Justice to building and maintaining a fair and rule-based society underpinned by the rule of law through collaboration with stakeholders towards sustainable development for all.
Click here for more information on Vision 2030 for Rule of Law.
Hong Kong is an international centre for legal, deal-making and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region. The Hong Kong Legal Hub, which comprises the offices of the Department of Justice housed in the historical building of the former Central Government Offices, the Former French Mission Building which is a declared monument and part of Two Exchange Square, will officially open its door during the Hong Kong Legal Week 2020.
Click here for more information on the Hong Kong Legal Hub.
Hong Kong Legal Week 2020 By Invitation Only | |
Time | Activity |
16:00 – 17:00 | Arrival of Guests |
17:00 – 17:30 | Opening of the Hong Kong Legal Week 2020 cum Opening of Hong Kong Legal Hub |
17:30 – 17:50 | Launch of Vision 2030 for Rule of Law |
Inaugural Rule of Law Congress “Towards 2030: A Decade of Action for Rule of Law” Medium: English Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in Cantonese and Putonghua | |
Time | Activity |
15:00 – 15:10 | Opening Session Welcome Remarks: The Honourable Ms Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, GBS, SC, JP Secretary for Justice, Hong Kong SAR Government |
15:10 – 16:40 |
Enhancing legal aid services in ensuring access to justice for all In the words of the late Lord Bingham, “denial of legal protection to the poor litigant who cannot afford to pay is one enemy of the rule of law”. The costs of provision of legal aid services have been on the rise and may pose as a challenge to the allocation of public funding. Our distinguished speakers will share with us their views to enhancing existing legal aid systems and their vision for the next decade of legal aid services in ensuring access to justice for all. Moderator: Dr Thomas So, JP Partner, Mayer Brown, HKSAR Panel speakers: Mr Robert Pé Former Adviser on Legal Affairs to Aung San Suu Kyi Mrs Olufunke Adekoya Member, World Bank Sanctions Board Professor Albert Jan van den Berg Honorary President of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration Mr Hans van Loon Former Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law |
16:45 – 18:10 |
Keeping up with the times: Capacity building for Judicial Officers Judicial independence is valued by many as fundamental to the rule of law. As the law develops to reflect changes in the society, judges today are faced with increasingly complex legal issues, more knowledgeable in-person-litigants and higher expectations from the public. The Judiciary is not shielded from the challenges arising from COVID-19 and calls for better use of technologies in the court rooms and active case management for an efficient judiciary. This panel will address the need for ongoing capacity building to strengthen and enhance judges’ ability in discharging their judicial functions. Moderator: Ms Winnie Tam, SC, SBS, JP Barrister, International arbitrator and mediator, Des Voeux Chambers Panel speakers: Judge Xue Hanqin Vice President, International Court of Justice Mr Makhdoom Ali Khan Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of Pakistan, President of International Law Association - Pakistan The Honourable Mr Justice Michael John Hartmann, GBS Former Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, Hong Kong SAR Professor Nico Schrijver Professor of Public International Law, Leiden University, the Netherlands |
18:10 – 18:20 | Closing Remarks The Honourable Mr Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal |
Fourteenth Annual Generations in Arbitration Conference | |
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Hong Kong Mediation Lecture | |
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Case Settlement Conference Pilot Scheme to be launched in District Court of the Judiciary CPD points: 2 (The Law Society of Hong Kong, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), Hong Kong Mediation Accreditation Association Limited (HKMAAL), Hong Kong Mediation Centre (HKMC), Mainland-Hong Kong Joint Mediation Center (MHJMC), Financial Dispute Resolution Centre (FDRC)) | |
Time | Activity |
09:50 – 10:00 |
Welcome Remarks Moderator: Mrs Cecilia Wong Chairlady of the Mediation Committee of the Law Society of Hong Kong & Member of the Judiciary’s Working Party on Mediation |
10:00 – 10:20 |
Introduction of the Case Settlement Conference (CSC) Pilot Scheme Mr Justice Lam VP Chairman of the Judiciary’s Working Party on Mediation Download Presentation Slides Here |
10:20 – 10:45 |
Presentation of report on External Mediation Master Scheme Mr Dick Ho Deputy Registrar, High Court Download Presentation Slides Here |
10:45 – 11:10 |
Sharing session by an External Mediation Master Mr Bryan Lung Adjudicator of Small Claims Tribunal Download Presentation Slides Here |
11:10 – 11:35 |
Experience sharing from the angle of a lawyer Ms Rejina Chan Solicitor attended EMM hearing |
11:35 – 12:00 |
Presentation on Case Settlement Conference Mr Registrar Lui District Court Download Presentation Slides Here |
12:00 – 12:15 | Q & A |
Sports Dispute Resolution Conference Medium: English Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in Cantonese and Putonghua CPD points: 3 (The Law Society of Hong Kong, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), Hong Kong Mediation Accreditation Association Limited (HKMAAL), Hong Kong Mediation Centre (HKMC), Mainland-Hong Kong Joint Mediation Center (MHJMC), Financial Dispute Resolution Centre (FDRC)) | |
Time | Activity |
15:00 – 15:05 |
Welcome Remarks Mr Clifford Tavares Deputy Law Officer (Civil Law), Department of Justice, Hong Kong SAR Government |
15:05 – 15:15 |
Keynote Speech The Honourable Ms Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, GBS, SC, JP Secretary for Justice, Hong Kong SAR Government |
15:15 – 16:25 |
Panel Session 1: Sports arbitration Currently, arbitration is the more prevailing form of dispute resolution for sports disputes. It is widely used in different types of disputes such as those of commercial nature (eg. labour disputes between players’ unions and clubs, transfer disputes, contractual disputes concerning broadcasting and sponsorship agreements etc.) and of disciplinary nature (e.g. anti-doping cases). With the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics approaching, it is foreseeable that sports disputes will be on the rise. This panel session will discuss the current use of sports arbitration including the established procedures and typical disputes, the advantages and shortcomings of sports arbitration and other related topical issues. Moderator: Mr Ronald Sum Head of Dispute Resolution Asia, Addleshaw Goddard (Hong Kong) LLP; Member of the Steering Committee on Mediation & Chairman of the Public Education and Publicity Sub-Committee Speakers: Dr Mingchao Fan Chairman, Arbitration Committee, Chinese Football Association Download Presentation Slides Here Professor Yoshihisa Hayakawa Professor of Law, Rikkyo University; Secretary General, Japan International Dispute Resolution Center Download Presentation Slides Here Mr Daniele Boccucci Director, The Football Forum Dr Rouven F. Bodenheimer Co-founder, Bodenheimer Herzberg Download Presentation Slides Here |
16:25 – 16:35 | Q & A |
16:35 – 17:45 |
Panel Session 2: Sports mediation In sports, there is inevitably a winner and a loser; not everyone can get a satisfactory result. However, resolving sports disputes does not have to end this way. Sports mediation provides a speedy, flexible and creative dispute resolution mechanism for parties in achieving a win-win situation by amicable settlement. While sports mediation appears to be underused, there is a rising trend in recognizing the benefits and importance of mediation in resolving sports dispute. This panel session will discuss the latest trend of sports mediation including its advantages and application, why sports mediation has been underused in the past and how sports mediation can be further developed. Moderator: Professor Ting Kwok Iu, MH Consultant, Kwok, Ng & Chan Speakers: Mr Antoine Bonnet Head of Mediation Services, Court of Arbitration for Sport Mr Alexander Jacobs Senior Legal Counsel, Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Ms Amy Chan, JP Headmistress, Apprentice Jockeys’ School & Executive Manager, Racing Development Board, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Download Presentation Slides Here |
17:45 – 17:55 | Q & A |
17:55 – 18:00 |
Closing Remarks Mr Timothy Fok, GBS, JP President, Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China |
Mediation Conference 2020 “Mediate First – More Than You Can Imagine” MORNING SESSION Medium: English Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in Cantonese and Putonghua CPD points: 2 (The Law Society of Hong Kong, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), Hong Kong Mediation Accreditation Association Limited (HKMAAL), Hong Kong Mediation Centre (HKMC), Mainland-Hong Kong Joint Mediation Center (MHJMC), Financial Dispute Resolution Centre (FDRC)) | |
Time | Activity |
09:30 – 09:35 | Launch of the “Mediate First" logo by the Department of Justice, Hong Kong SAR Government |
09:35 – 09:50 |
Keynote Speech Ms Anna Joubin-Bret Secretary, United Nations Commission on International Trade Law |
09:50 – 11:20 |
Panel Session 1: United Nations Mediation Convention** – Challenges for mediators Came into force in September 2020, the United Nations Mediation Convention establishes a harmonized legal framework for the right to invoke mediated settlement agreements and their enforcement. The need for enforceability is acute in the context of international commercial mediation, where the parties from different jurisdictions may face various hurdles in securing performance of the settlement reached. This panel session will discuss the application of the Convention and challenges faced by mediators in light of its constraints and exceptions on applicability of the Convention. Moderator: Professor Ting Kwok Iu, MH Consultant, Kwok, Ng & Chan Speakers: Judge Deng Yu Director, Judicial Reform Office, Supreme People's Court of the People's Republic of China Download Presentation Slides Here Madam Guo Min Team leader for Diversified Dispute Resolution of the Case Filing Tribunal and Senior Judge Assistant, Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China Download Presentation Slides Here Ms Winnie Tam, SC, SBS, JP Barrister, international arbitrator and mediator, Des Voeux Chambers Professor Nadja Alexander Professor of Law (Practice), Singapore Management University (SMU); Director, Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy (SIDRA) of SMU Download Presentation Slides Here Mr Bill Marsh International Mediator, Independent Mediators, UK Download Presentation Slides Here Dr James Ding Commissioner, Inclusive Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Office, Department of Justice, Hong Kong SAR Government Download Presentation Slides Here **United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation |
11:20 – 11:30 | Q & A |
Mediation Conference 2020 “Mediate First – More Than You Can Imagine” AFTERNOON SESSION Medium: English Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in Cantonese and Putonghua CPD Points:2.5 (The Law Society of Hong Kong) CPD points: 3(Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), Hong Kong Mediation Accreditation Association Limited (HKMAAL), Hong Kong Mediation Centre (HKMC), Mainland-Hong Kong Joint Mediation Center (MHJMC), Financial Dispute Resolution Centre (FDRC)) | |
Time | Activity |
15:00 – 16:15 |
Panel Session 2: Use of online dispute resolution in light of COVID-19 With the advancement of technology, online dispute resolution (“ODR”) has been developing rapidly in recent years and the use of ODR has surged in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In June this year, the Department of Justice of Hong Kong has launched the “COVID-19 Online Dispute Resolution Scheme” which provides an online multi-tiered dispute resolution mechanism. This panel session will discuss the impact of COVID-19 on dispute resolution process in general, the latest development of ODR and the advantages and topical issues surrounding ODR. Moderator: Mr Adrian Lai Deputy Secretary General, Asian Academy of International Law Speakers: Mr Daniel Lam, SBS, JP Chief Executive Officer, eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre Download Presentation Slides Here Mr James South Managing Director, Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution; Mediator Download Presentation Slides Here Mr Rhys West Chief Executive, FairWay Resolution Download Presentation Slides Here Mr Zbynek Loebl Of Counsel, PRK Partners Download Presentation Slides Here |
16:15 – 16:25 | Q & A |
16:25 – 17:35 | Panel Session 3: Mediation advocacy Mediation advocacy involves a significant shift for lawyers and practitioners from an adversarial mode to a collaborative approach with a focus on the parties during a mediation process. To cope with this shift, it is therefore important that lawyers and other mediation representatives receive specialised training for mediation representation and advocacy. The speakers of this panel session would illustrate with their experience on the importance of mediation advocacy. Further, they would give advice on the skill-set required to adapt to this different role. It is hoped that the awareness of mediation advocacy among users and mediators would be raised. Moderator: Mr C K Kwong, JP Senior Partner, Sit, Fung, Kwong & Shum Speakers: Mr Simon Chapman, QC Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills Download Presentation Slides Here Ms Elaine Liu, JP Barrister, Sir Oswald Cheung’s Chambers Download Presentation Slides Here Ms Manon Schonewille Business mediator, Legal Rebel in Rotterdam The Netherlands; Founder, Toolkit Company Academy Mediation & Negotiation Download Presentation Slides Here Professor Leung Hing Fung Vice- Chairman, Hong Kong Mediation Accreditation Association Limited Download Presentation Slides Here |
17:35 – 17:45 | Q & A |
17:45 – 18:00 |
Closing Remarks Ms Christina Cheung, JP Law Officer (Civil Law), Department of Justice, Hong Kong SAR Government |
Closing Session of Hong Kong Legal Week 2020 | |
18:00 – 18:10 |
Closing Session of Hong Kong Legal Week 2020 The Honourable Ms Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, GBS, SC, JP Secretary for Justice, Hong Kong SAR Government |
BackgroundIn 2015, all members of the United Nations have adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the Agenda), a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. The 17 goals under the Agenda are interconnected, with the rule of law being a pillar for its successful implementation. Goal 16 aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Against the above background, DoJ has decided to formulate a new initiative, Vision 2030 for Rule of Law (Vision 2030). This initiative seeks to promote the proper understanding and recognition of the rule of law by studying its various elements through research, stakeholders’ collaboration and capacity building, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of inclusive and fair societies at both the local and international levels.
High Level Policy SupportIn the 2019 Policy Address (Supplement), the Chief Executive supported the launch of Vision 2030, a visionary initiative which spans over ten years for the promotion and education of the rule of law. At the ceremonial opening of the Legal Year on 13 January 2020, the Secretary for Justice announced that DoJ will launch a ten-year project entitled “Vision 2030 for Rule of Law”. In the 2020-21 Budget, the Financial Secretary also earmarked about HK$450 million for DoJ to implement Vision 2030, which is a ten-year initiative intended to cover the necessary human resources and other operational expenses.
Task Force on Vision 2030 for Rule of LawA Task Force on Vision 2030 (“Task Force”) with memberships of local and international renowned experts has been set up to advise the Government on its proposal to achieving the intended policy objective. Please click here for the Membership List of the Task Force.
Roadmap of Vision 2030 for Rule of LawVison 2030 comprises short, medium and long term targets.
Subject to the steer of the Task Force, short term targets of Vision 2030 include:-
Hong Kong has a long and rich common law heritage. Its mature legal system, which ranks well internationally, is renowned for being transparent, trustworthy and fair. To show the emphasis and recognition Hong Kong places on the rule of law and legal related services and to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international centre for legal, deal-making and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region offers space in the West Wing of the former Central Government Offices (CGO), a Grade 1 historic building now known as the Justice Place, the former French Mission Building, a declared monument nearby, and part of Two Exchange Square to accommodate offices of local, regional and international law-related organisations. Together with the offices of the Department of Justice (DoJ) housed in the Main and East Wings and part of the West Wing of the former CGO, they form an international Legal Hub in our central business district.
The three buildings of Justice Place were built in 1950s as the former Central Government Offices (CGO) Complex. The East Wing was completed in 1954; the Main Wing and Legislative Council Chamber in 1956; and the West Wing in 1959. The buildings were designed in modern utilitarian style, prevalent from the early to mid-20th century, stressing the functional uses. The buildings were fitted with Crittall style steel windows. The exterior was designed with exposed structural concrete frame with minimal decorative finishes.
After relocation of the Legislative Council to the former Supreme Court Building, the former Legislative Council Chamber was replaced by a new Annex in 1989. Upon moving Government offices from CGO to the new Central Government Offices Complex at Tamar in 2011, the buildings were renovated for use by DoJ with part of the West Wing converted into space for use of law-related organisations. Following completion of the renovation works, the Main Wing and East Wing have housed a large part of the DoJ since the third quarter of 2015. DoJ also gradually moved into West Wing from late 2019.
The former French Mission Building, a neo-classical style building constructed with granite and red brick, was built in 1917 by the French Society of Foreign Missions as its Procure of Hong Kong. It was used as the temporary headquarters of the Provisional Hong Kong Government after the Second World War. In 1952, the Government purchased the building from the French Mission. Since then, the building was used by various government departments and the Judiciary, e.g. Education Department, Victoria District Court, the Supreme Court, etc. It was then used as the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal (CFA) from 1997 to 2015. The CFA was relocated to the former Supreme Court building in September 2015. FMB was subsequently renovated to provide space for use by law-related organisations and related purposes.
Some prominent historical architectural features of the building include the hall on the ground floor with its ornate columns, wooden staircase, domed ceiling in the chapel, and the well-proportioned internal courtyard with colonnades.