Hong Kong Judiciary Hosts Eighth Seminar on Judicial Challenges and Innovations with Cross-Strait Participation

Hong Kong holds Eighth Seminar of Senior Judges from across Strait, Hong Kong and Macao

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

The Hong Kong Judiciary is hosting the Eighth Seminar of Senior Judges from across the Strait, Hong Kong and Macao today and tomorrow (October 13 and 14), under the theme of "The Emerging Challenges and Opportunities in Judicial Work".

The President of the China Association of Judges, Mr Zhang Jun; the President of the Court of Final Appeal of Macao, Ms Song Man-lei; and the Chairman of the Chinese Society of Law of Taiwan, Mr Chen Tzung-chen, are attending this high-level seminar with their official delegations. The seminar was officially launched today upon the delivery of opening speeches by Chief Justice Andrew Cheung, Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong, and other heads of delegations.

Addressing the seminar, Chief Justice Cheung said that in a rapidly changing world, the Hong Kong Judiciary faces both challenges and opportunities. While steadfastly upholding the rule of law and judicial independence, the Hong Kong Judiciary has been taking a clear-eyed view of the times and responding proactively. He highlighted four key strategic directions of the Hong Kong Judiciary: streamlining procedures and strengthening case management; advancing alternative dispute resolution; strengthening co-operation with the Mainland and other jurisdictions; and accelerating judicial technology with prudent application, seizing opportunities for institutional and technological innovation. He remarked that today's seminar was not only an occasion for exchanging experiences; it was also a moment for identifying solutions together and grasping new opportunities. "Courts across the Strait, Hong Kong and Macao would inspire one another, pool our wisdom, and together enhance the efficiency and capability of courts in their respective jurisdictions, thereby advancing the rule of law," Chief Justice Cheung said.

In her address at the seminar, Ms Song said that practitioners of judicial work bear a significant responsibility for upholding social fairness and justice, as well as safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the people. In the face of challenges and opportunities of the new era, it is essential to maintain an open attitude, proactively explore innovation, and continuously enhance the quality and efficiency of judicial work. She expressed her wish that the seminar would inject new strength into the judicial co-operation and exchange among the Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, making new contributions towards the advancement of the judicial quality of the Chinese people.

Meanwhile, Mr Chen remarked that this judicial seminar would facilitate mutual exchange and collaborations seeking to draw up more pragmatic and appropriate mechanisms and regulations for effectively addressing judicial issues, adapt to changing times and societal needs, and collectively foster the progress and prosperity of the Chinese people.

Mr Zhang pointed out that with the evolving global trend towards peace, development, co-operation, and mutual benefits, new threats and challenges continue to emerge. The judiciaries must proactively adapt to the demands for security, development, people's livelihoods and governance, thereby contributing towards building China into a greater country and achieving rejuvenation of the Chinese people. The judicial and legal sectors across the Strait, as well as in Hong Kong and Macao, should collectively sustain the outstanding traditions of Chinese legal culture, continue to uphold the rule of law principles: prioritising the people, ensuring fairness and justice, punishing wrongdoers while rewarding good behaviour, and integrating moral values with the law. He remarked that this would help address contemporary challenges, forge a clearer consensus on the rule of law, and pool strengths for development. He also highlighted the significant achievements of the Supreme People's Court under the guidance of President Xi Jinping's thoughts on the rule of law, especially in serving the broader picture and ensuring justice for the people. He shared practices and experiences from four perspectives: strict and fair administration of justice, upholding justice for the people, integrating into social governance, and co-ordinating the judicial use of artificial intelligence. These efforts demonstrate how the modernisation of the trial work can support and serve China's overall development.

Mr Zhang expressed his wish that members of the judicial and legal communities across the Strait, as well as in Hong Kong and Macao, would keep abreast of historical developments, protect the collective interests of the Chinese people, adhere to the original intentions of the seminar, and uphold a spirit of co-operation. Together, they work collectively to maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao, promote peaceful cross-Strait relations, and work in unity for the well-being of all compatriots, contributing towards the great cause of rejuvenation of the Chinese people.

During the seminar, the delegates have been discussing and exchanging views on four topics, namely "Building Alternative Civil and Commercial Dispute Resolution Mechanisms", "Enhancement of Civil and Commercial Court Procedure", "Application of Artificial Intelligence", and "Practice and Development of the Doctrine of Precedent". About 160 representatives from the judicial and legal sectors of the Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao will be attending the seminar.

The closing ceremony will be held tomorrow.

The seminar is a regular exchange forum among the judicial and legal sectors of the Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao. It has been held every two years since 2011. Following the success of the fourth seminar in 2017, Hong Kong is once again hosting the seminar this year.

Hong Kong holds Eighth Seminar of Senior Judges from across Strait, Hong Kong and Macao Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong holds Eighth Seminar of Senior Judges from across Strait, Hong Kong and Macao Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong holds Eighth Seminar of Senior Judges from across Strait, Hong Kong and Macao Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong holds Eighth Seminar of Senior Judges from across Strait, Hong Kong and Macao Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong holds Eighth Seminar of Senior Judges from across Strait, Hong Kong and Macao Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Labour Department highly concerned about fatal work accident that happened in Tsuen Wan today

The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a construction site in Tsuen Wan this afternoon (January 14), in which several oxy-acetylene cylinders fell from a container during a lifting operation and hit workers underneath, resulting in the death of one worker and injuries to two workers. The LD is saddened by the death and injury of the workers in the accident, and expresses its deepest sympathies to the victim’s family and the injured workers.

The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and have issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the lifting operation at the site. The contractors cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that suitable measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken."

The spokesman added, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation."

To prevent loads being lifted from falling and hitting workers, the LD reminds employers to ensure that (i) the loads have been safely and securely connected to lifting gear before lifting operations; (ii) the gate of the container holding the loads is properly locked or fastened; and (iii) lifting zone is demarcated and barricaded, with no one entering the zone during lifting operations.

The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.

In regard to today's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application "OSH 2.0", website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.

The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.

For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.

Source: AI-found images