Chaired by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, the Department of Justice's Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Task Force held its second meeting today (June 23) to examine in detail various recommendations raised by the Task Force members on facilitating the interface of the legal systems and rules as well as the connection of talent in the GBA, and to implement its future work plan.

　　During the meeting, the Task Force discussed and agreed to take forward a number of specific recommendations. The key ones include: (1) the establishment of an information platform to facilitate the easy access by the people and businesses to information on legal and dispute resolution services in the GBA and other related areas; and the setting up of a high-level platform to facilitate the conduct of regular exchanges and research on mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters, etc; (2) actively seeking the expansion to Mainland cities in the GBA the measures for Hong Kong-invested enterprises to choose Hong Kong law as applicable law and to choose Hong Kong as the seat of arbitration, and enhancing the promotion of the measures' advantages and benefits for the development and construction of the GBA; (3) the enhancement of the existing arrangements for mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters, including the improvement of the mechanism for the service of judicial documents in civil or commercial cases, so as to provide further convenience and benefits to the people and businesses; and (4) the establishment of a mediator panel for the GBA and the setting up of an online mediation platform for use in the GBA, thereby facilitating collaboration in mediation.

　　Mr Cheung thanked the Task Force members for their valuable suggestions. He pointed out that the GBA is the only place in the world that enjoys the unique advantages of "one country, two systems and three jurisdictions", and that Hong Kong's common law system and its rule of law are widely acclaimed by international communities. Enhancing the interface of the legal systems and mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters in the GBA not only facilitates interactions among the people and businesses, but also provides strong legal support for the advancement of the GBA's high-quality development.

　　He said that the Department of Justice will proactively follow up on the Task Force's recommendations and work closely together with the relevant Mainland authorities and stakeholders of the legal and other sectors, so as to take forward and implement the relevant work.

　　The establishment of the Task Force was one of the initiatives in the 2022 Policy Address to dovetail with the national strategies to create strong impetus for growth. Led by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, the Task Force comprises representatives from the legal and business sectors, the academia and Hong Kong residents on the Mainland as well as the Department of Justice.

Ends/Friday, June 23, 2023