Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy and Supreme People's Court co-organise 2nd edition of Hong Kong Common Law Practical Training Course
The second edition of the Hong Kong Common Law Practical Training Course, co-organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy and the Supreme People's Court, is being held from today (January 14) to January 22. Focusing on company law, this edition will guide participants to gain a deeper understanding of Hong Kong's company law framework.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the course today, the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, said that the first edition of this course, which was held in January last year, was the inaugural programme of the Academy after its launch in 2024, and positive results had been achieved. Mr Lam expressed his gratitude to the Supreme People's Court for their continued support and trust in the Academy. He said that the course is a key initiative to implement the national policy of strengthening Mainland judges' ability to handle foreign-related cases, in line with the priorities anticipated in the 15th Five-Year Plan to be announced in March this year.
Building on the inaugural training course, this edition focuses on company law with the participation of 24 senior judges from 22 courts on the Mainland, including the Supreme People's Court and courts from 12 provinces as well as three direct-administered municipalities. The course will feature an in-depth exploration of Hong Kong's robust company law framework through lectures, dialogue sessions and interactive practices on topics such as company structures, guarantees and liquidations. Speakers of the course include Hong Kong's leading legal scholars, experts and eminent judges in the field of company law, who will share their practical insights into Hong Kong's common law system and company law. With the Ceremonial Opening of the Legal Year 2026 taking place this month, participants will attend this important annual legal event, and visit the courts and international legal institutions in Hong Kong to learn more about Hong Kong's development as a legal hub and a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Academy will continue to leverage the unique advantages of the "one country, two systems" principle and the Hong Kong common law system to organise more capacity-building programmes, thereby promoting judicial and legal exchanges and mutual learning between the Mainland and Hong Kong, and further contributing to the country's efforts to promote the construction of the foreign-related rule of law.
Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy and Supreme People's Court co-organise 2nd edition of Hong Kong Common Law Practical Training Course Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy and Supreme People's Court co-organise 2nd edition of Hong Kong Common Law Practical Training Course Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Blackspot for illegal waste disposal on Yick Yuen Road, Tuen Mun successfully tackled through smart enforcement and interdepartmental collaboration
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (January 14) said that, through smart enforcement and interdepartmental collaboration, it has successfully tackled an illegal waste disposal blackspot on Yick Yuen Road, Tuen Mun, significantly improving environmental and hygienic conditions. Over 50 prosecutions were instituted during the operation.
Yick Yuen Road in Tuen Mun is situated in a remote rural area, surrounded by villages and brownfields. Following the commencement of the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area project, residents in the vicinity of Yick Yuen Road had gradually relocated. The EPD had identified illegal waste disposal at a concealed and remote roadside spot on Yick Yuen Road since mid-last year. The situation has grown increasingly severe, adversely affecting environmental hygiene.
The EPD promptly co-ordinated with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Highways Department, the Civil Engineering and Development Department, and the Lands Department to jointly work out an action plan. A series of interdepartmental collaborative measures were implemented, including setting up a smart surveillance system to detect illegal activities, swiftly clearing waste to prevent the deterioration of hygiene conditions, as well as placing concrete barriers and warning signage to deter further violations. During the initial phase of the operation (from June to August 2025), the EPD utilised the smart surveillance system to quickly identify vehicles transporting waste for illegal disposal at the site and prosecuted the registered owners of the relevant vehicles. Among these, several small-scale works or transport companies were found to be involved in repeated illegal dumping of large quantities of waste and demolition materials. These prompt prosecutions had a significant deterrent effect, resulting in a substantial reduction in violations in the subsequent months.
An EPD spokesman said, "The department has been concerned about the rural areas of the New Territories, especially some public places such as remote roadsides or laybys, which are easily becoming illegal waste disposal sites. The waste deposited at this site, including some large-sized commercial and industrial (C&I) waste, not only created obstruction to pathways but also caused environmental hygiene problems. The EPD will continue to combine technology-driven enforcement with interdepartmental collaboration in its commitment to improving the living environment."
The spokesman appealed to all sectors, especially members of the logistics and construction industries, to properly dispose of waste in accordance with the laws. The logistics sector and the C&I sector may contact recyclers to collect C&I waste with reusable or recycling value, while non-recyclable waste should be delivered to refuse transfer stations or landfills.
According to the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation (Chapter 132BK), it is an offence to dispose of waste on streets or in public places from vehicles, including goods vehicles, private cars and motorcycles. The registered vehicle owners concerned may be prosecuted. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and six months' imprisonment.
Blackspot for illegal waste disposal on Yick Yuen Road, Tuen Mun successfully tackled through smart enforcement and interdepartmental collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Blackspot for illegal waste disposal on Yick Yuen Road, Tuen Mun successfully tackled through smart enforcement and interdepartmental collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Blackspot for illegal waste disposal on Yick Yuen Road, Tuen Mun successfully tackled through smart enforcement and interdepartmental collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Blackspot for illegal waste disposal on Yick Yuen Road, Tuen Mun successfully tackled through smart enforcement and interdepartmental collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
