Hong Kong Legal Week 2024, with the theme of “Hong Kong Common Law System: World-Class Springboard to China & Beyond”, concluded today.

The five-day annual flagship event of the legal sector and the Department of Justice (DoJ) was attended by a total of about 2,500 participants in person and online from nearly 50 jurisdictions, demonstrating Hong Kong's status as the leading international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Rule of Law: The Best Business Environment event was held today as the finale of Hong Kong Legal Week 2024. Chief Executive John Lee gave a video speech at the opening session. Chief Justice Andrew Cheung and Secretary for Justice Paul Lam also gave their opening remarks at the session. The keynote speech was delivered by Vice-Minister of Justice Wang Zhenjiang.

The Chief Executive highlighted in his speech that Hong Kong's common law system remains robust and indispensable, thanks to the unique “one country, two systems” principle.

“Our legal environment positions Hong Kong both as a gateway to Mainland China and a dynamic hub for business, as well as legal and dispute resolution practice internationally.

“The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is dedicated to ensuring a continuing flow of talented legal professionals for Hong Kong. That is why I am delighted to announce that this afternoon we will launch the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy.”

Mr Lee added that the academy will cultivate the skills of the city's legal and dispute resolution professionals. It will also collaborate with international organisations and legal bodies, strengthening exchanges in regions under the Belt & Road Initiative and underlying Hong Kong's status as a capacity building centre for legal talent throughout the region and beyond.

The keynote speech was followed by a panel discussion under the main theme of “A comprehensive regime provides a stable environment for businesses to grow” to explore how Hong Kong's unique strengths, including its robust legal and judicial system, stringent anti-corruption and intellectual property protection framework and transparent mechanisms for dispute resolution, position Hong Kong as a premier destination for businesses aiming for growth, innovation, and success in the competitive global arena.

A Fireside Chat on good stories of Hong Kong enterprises was then held to discuss how the city's strategic positioning within the national framework has enabled its enterprises to thrive both locally and globally.

Additionally, the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy was officially launched during today's event in the afternoon.

Capitalising on Hong Kong's bilingual common law system and international status, the academy will regularly organise different practical legal courses, seminars, international exchange activities and so forth to promote talent exchanges in areas along the Belt & Road.

It will also provide foreign-related legal talent training for the country, as well as cultivate legal talent who are familiar with international law, common law, civil law, national legal systems as well as litigation and advocacy skills.

Another panel discussion on the talent along the Belt & Road was conducted in the afternoon to examine how the next generation of talent can be better equipped to meet the evolving needs of the country's rule of law.

Mr Lam also witnessed the signing of the co-operation agreement between the Law Society of Hong Kong and the Xinjiang Lawyers Association to facilitate regular exchanges and strengthen collaboration.

The Rule of Law: The Best Business Environment event and Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 were concluded with closing remarks by Mr Lam.

Meanwhile, the DoJ has secured the hosting of the 11th Asia & Pacific Regional Conference of the International Association of Prosecutors later this month.