Hong Kong Legal Training Course Enhances Understanding of Mainland Civil and Commercial Law

Mainland Civil and Commercial Legal Practice Training Course 2025 of Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy concludes

The Mainland Civil and Commercial Legal Practice Training Course 2025, organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, concluded today (June 14). The two-day course is the first course held by the Academy specifically for the local legal sector, including barristers, solicitors, in-house counsel and dispute resolution practitioners. The course aims to deepen the local industry's understanding of the Mainland's civil and commercial laws and practical operations, and promote exchanges between Hong Kong and the Mainland's legal and dispute resolution sectors. The course attracted about 300 participants.

Addressing the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, said that Hong Kong and the Mainland have become more closely connected since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, with economic and trade activities becoming increasingly frequent. While many Mainland enterprises leverage Hong Kong as an internationalised platform to go global, overseas enterprises also invest in the Mainland through Hong Kong. The Academy specially organised this course to enable the local legal industry to gain in-depth understanding of the practice of civil and commercial law on the Mainland so that they can meet the actual needs arising from growing cross-boundary business, while improving their own competitiveness and expanding the room for their career development.

Addressing the closing ceremony, the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, said that the leading position of Hong Kong in international arbitration continues to be reinforced and enhanced. The Department of Justice iscommitted to promoting the city's leading position in the field of arbitration in the Greater Bay Area and in the international community, as well as providing legal services of higher quality and competitiveness to the Mainland and around the world, so as to further establish Hong Kong's position as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region.

The course covers various key areas of the Mainland civil and commercial legal practice. Through lectures and seminars, the course further enhances the understanding and knowledge of Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution sectors on the practice and operation of the Mainland civil and commercial legal system, while providing a platform for exchange and co-operation between the Hong Kong and Mainland legal sectors. Speakers of the course comprise Mainland judges, academics, legal professionals, corporate representatives, arbitration practitioners and members of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Expert Committee.

The Academy will continue to capitalise on Hong Kong's bilingual common law system and international status and provide platforms for capacity building, knowledge and experience sharing to Hong Kong, the Mainland as well as other jurisdictions, especially the legal talent in regions along the Belt and Road Initiative, to promote the exchange of international legal talent and reinforce Hong Kong's status as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia‑Pacific region, in order to develop Hong Kong into a capacity-building centre.

Mainland Civil and Commercial Legal Practice Training Course 2025 of Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Mainland Civil and Commercial Legal Practice Training Course 2025 of Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Mainland Civil and Commercial Legal Practice Training Course 2025 of Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Mainland Civil and Commercial Legal Practice Training Course 2025 of Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Mainland Civil and Commercial Legal Practice Training Course 2025 of Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Notice on appointments to advisory and statutory bodies

A Government spokesman said today (January 12) that Mr Chan Kin-por recently sought approval from the Chief Executive to suspend his three public positions as appointed by the Chief Executive, until the completion of the work of the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (Independent Committee). Mr Chan made this request to allow himself more time to dedicate to the work of the Independent Committee. After due consideration, the Chief Executive has agreed to and approved this request. The three public positions are: (1) Chairman of Independent Commission Against Corruption Advisory Committee on Corruption; (2) Non-executive Director of Urban Renewal Authority Board; and (3) Member of Honours and Non-official Justices of the Peace Selection Committee.

On December 12, 2025, the Government established the Independent Committee to examine the causes of the incident and related issues, ascertain the facts, and make recommendations on preventing similar tragedies and on improvement measures. The Independent Committee is chaired by Mr Justice David Lok, with Mr Chan Kin-por and Dr Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen serving as members. The Independent Committee held its first meeting on December 19 last year and aims to complete its work within nine months of commencing operations.

Mr Chan Kin-por wrote earlier to the Chief Executive, expressing his wish to suspend the aforementioned three public positions until the Independent Committee completes its work, in order to dedicate more time and focus to the Independent Committee's tasks. The Chief Executive has agreed to and approved the request.

A Government spokesperson said that since the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, both the Government and the wider community have been highly concerned about the causes of the incident and the follow-up work. The scope of the Independent Committee's work is extensive, particularly concerning systemic issues related to bid-rigging and connected interests. Given the numerous issues involved and their complex nature, the Government will fully co-operate with the Independent Committee to ensure that it can complete its work and compile its report within nine months. The Government extends its gratitude to Mr Chan for accepting the appointment as a member of the Independent Committee and for his professional and conscientious approach to the Committee's work. When the Independent Committee's work is completed, the Government looks forward to Mr Chan's continuous contribution through his aforementioned public positions.

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