Date: | 27 – 29 November 2024 (Wed to Fri) |
Venue: | Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai, Hong Kong |
Conference Website: |
For more details and registration of the Conference, please visit https://events.iap-association.org/11IAP-RegionalConference-HongKong/Home |
Programme: | Programme Rundown |
Language: | The Conference will be conducted in English, with simultaneous interpretation in Putonghua. |
27 November 2024 (Wed) |
Registration and Welcome Dinner |
28 November 2024 (Thur) Sub-Theme: Combatting Crime In The Technological Age |
Morning Session |
Plenary Topic 1:
Updating and modernising the armoury – the need, the challenges, the effect and sharing of experience in law reform to combat technology crime Technological advancement has brought about welcome changes to modern societies in recent years, including more convenient communication methods, more powerful social media platforms, and new investment products and opportunities. Yet, it has also incentivised novel ways of committing traditional crimes, creating new types of cybercrimes and increasing level of risk exposure in virtual assets. In the face of novel challenges brought about by technological advancement, the time is ripe for jurisdictions to consider the ways in which existing laws can be updated and modernised so as to create a more robust legal framework against emerging technology crimes. While law reform efforts are actively being pursued in a number of jurisdictions, new laws targeting illicit cyber-related activities have already been enacted in others. Amidst the increasing prevalence of technology crimes, this session provides a valuable opportunity for jurisdictions to exchange ideas and experiences on relevant law reform efforts. |
Afternoon Session |
Plenary Topic 2:
Rising above the changing landscape and challenges of decentralisation in the technological age – from social media, DeFi to virtual assets Decentralisation is fundamentally transforming multiple aspects of prosecutorial work by presenting myriad challenges in the areas of information dissemination, evidence collection and digital forensics. The advent of decentralised social media has introduced new obstacles for content moderation, privacy preservation, and information integrity. Decentralised finance (DeFi) disrupts traditional financial systems and brings about an evolving landscape of financial crime and investigation. The decentralised nature of virtual assets also poses legal and regulatory implications as well as hurdles in prosecuting and tracing illicit crime proceeds. Prosecutors must adapt and remain agile amidst the challenges presented by decentralisation. This involves overcoming legal ambiguity, closing regulatory gaps, addressing anonymity, fostering collaboration, developing adaptive legal strategies, and embracing innovation, all while deepening our knowledge and understanding of emerging technologies. By delving into the multifaceted challenges posed by decentralisation, this session provides participants with valuable knowledge, insights, and strategies to navigate this rapidly-changing field. Special Plenary Session:
Strengthening international cooperation through mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and tackling new challenges There is little dispute that mutual legal cooperation in criminal matters is often a powerful, indispensable and effective tool in the fight against transnational crimes and the due administration of criminal justice. As such, enhancing efficiency in the provision of assistance to international cooperation partners is always high on the agenda. The last decade has witnessed a dramatic rise in cross-border crimes involving the use of the internet. This shift in the criminal landscape has brought about new challenges in the investigation and prosecution of illicit criminal activities. Against this backdrop, this session will explore why and how mutual legal assistance in criminal matters plays an integral part in strengthening international cooperation to tackle transnational technology crimes. |
Gala Dinner |
29 November 2024 (Fri) Sub-Theme: The Use of Technology in the Criminal Justice System |
Morning Session |
Plenary Topic 3:
Experience sharing in prosecuting cyber offences – obtaining and handling digital evidence Cyber offences inevitably involve the use of digital technology. With computing power becoming more accessible and affordable, the use of digital evidence in criminal cases is expected to become increasingly common. While digital evidence may serve as accurate, reliable, and detailed records that play an important role in identifying offenders, tracing virtual assets, and reconstructing sequences of events, it may also be encrypted or hidden. As a result, its provenance, integrity and admissibility may be challenged in court. This plenary explores how digital evidence can be properly obtained, decrypted, and preserved, so as to ensure that it is admissible and properly adduced in criminal proceedings. The application of legal principles, expert evidence and cutting-edge technology in this area will also be discussed. Plenary Topic 4:
Digital transformation of the court and the prosecution office - the impact of technological advancements on criminal evidence and procedure The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years has sparked debate on its potential to supplant human roles within the legal profession. On the other hand, the advent of technology presents a much-anticipated opportunity for prosecution offices and courts to alleviate the heavy reliance on paper-based processes. Indeed, this digital shift holds the promise of revolutionising the preparation of cases and the conduct of trials and appeals, potentially streamlining these processes to an unprecedented degree. This session explores the digital transformation of the court and the prosecution office, focusing on the profound impact of technological advancements on criminal evidence and procedure. We will explore how the rise of digital technologies necessitates improvements and breakthroughs in courtrooms and prosecution offices, with related discussions on the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies such as AI and forensic data analysis. Participants will gain valuable insights into the ever evolving landscape of criminal justice and the transformative role of technology in shaping its future. |
Afternoon Session |
Cultural Visit |
Farewell Reception |
For enquiry, please contact us at iap2024@doj.gov.hk.