Steering Committee on Mediation

To foster the development of mediation in Hong Kong, the Secretary for Justice set up a Steering Committee on Mediation (“Steering Committee”) in 2012, comprising members from different sectors of the community to advise on and assist in the further promotion and development of mediation in and of Hong Kong. The term of the Steering Committee expired in December 2023. Please click here for the Terms of Reference and Membership of the Steering Committee.

The work of the Steering Committee in promoting mediation included the setting up of the West Kowloon Mediation Centre as well as the social media platforms for promotion of mediation services. With a view to assisting the users who wishes to disclose or use mediation communication for research, evaluation or educational purposes to comply with section 8(2)(e) of the Mediation Ordinance, in 2016 the Steering Committee compiled the Guidelines for Disclosure of Mediation Communications for Research, Evaluation or Educational Purposes for reference purposes.

Prior to the setting up of the Steering Committee, the mapping out of plans for the development of mediation in Hong Kong was undertaken by the Working Group on Mediation set up in 2008 and the Mediation Task Force set up in 2010.

1. Working Group on Mediation (“the Working Group”)
   In the Report of the Working Group on Mediation published in February 2010, there were 48 recommendations covering three important areas of regulatory framework, training and accreditation, and publicity and public education. Please click here for the Executive Summary. At the same time, the Working Group also promulgated the Hong Kong Mediation Code (“the Code”). The Code is intended to provide a common standard among mediators and to serve an important quality assurance function. Various mediation service providers have already adopted the Code.
2. Mediation Task Force (“the Task Force”)
   In order to consider the recommendations of the Working Group which required further deliberations after taking into account the public feedback received and to implement those which received general support, the Secretary for Justice set up a Mediation Task Force in 2010. Please click here for the Membership and Terms of Reference of the Task Force. The Task Force was assisted in its work by three groups working specifically on the said three areas. The Task Force had, in collaboration with different bodies, implemented various initiatives, including the production of an Announcement of Public Interest which was broadcast in December 2011 and the holding of the “Mediate First” Conference on 11 and 12 May 2012.