Room for negotiation: Elsie Leung says Hong Kong will stand as an ideal arbitration centre for international investors involved in business disputes in the Mainland.

The Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement enhances co-operation between Hong Kong and Mainland lawyers, so that local and foreign investors in the Mainland market will be better served by lawyers of both jurisdictions.

This was the message from Secretary for Justice Elsie Leung at a conference on International Dispute Resolution today.

She noted that the development of the Pearl River Delta, China's accession to the World Trade Organisation, and the CEPA had offered unprecedented opportunities for international businesses and investors.

Inevitably, some business and investment deals would lead to disputes between the parties and international businesspeople had a choice of where the dispute resolution was to take place

Hong Kong offers many advantages

Hong Kong offers extremely competitive services in respect of international dispute resolution, she said.

Hong Kong's judiciary, International Arbitration Centre, and independent legal profession were known to be of an international standard.

She said that Hong Kong lawyers have following advantages:

* an international perspective, providing high quality professional services;

*the ability to communicate in English, Cantonese or Putonghua; and

* a good understanding of the operation of the Mainland market.