Judiciary hosts Standing International Forum of Commercial Courts Steering Group Meeting
The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
The Judiciary hosted the Steering Group meeting of the Standing International Forum of Commercial Courts (SIFoCC) today (September 14).
The meeting was attended by Chief Justices, senior judges and prominent representatives from 12 jurisdictions. Chief Justice Andrew Cheung, Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, and Justice Jonathan Harris, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, represented the Hong Kong Judiciary at the meeting. They were joined by participants from jurisdictions including the Chinese Mainland, England and Wales, France, India, Jamaica, Malaysia, Qatar,Korea, Singapore, the United States and Zambia.
The meeting provided an important forum for international judicial exchanges and the mutual sharing of views and experiences in relation to best practices in the management of commercial and corporate litigation. A wide range of critical issues, such as the application of artificial intelligence in the judicial process, cross-border evidence-taking, and judicial training, were discussed by the Steering Group today.
SIFoCC is an international forum that brings together commercial courts from around the world to promote international judicial co-operation, the rule of law, and the effective resolution of commercial disputes. Hong Kong is a founding member of SIFoCC and has been actively participating in its work since its establishment in 2017. The holding of its Steering Group Meeting in Hong Kong reinforces our status as a leading international legal, arbitration and dispute resolution centre.
The Judiciary hosted the Steering Group meeting of the Standing International Forum of Commercial Courts (SIFoCC) today (September 14). Photo shows Chief Justice Andrew Cheung, Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal (third left), Justice Jonathan Harris, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court (second left), and representatives from other jurisdictions during the meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Judiciary hosted the Steering Group meeting of the Standing International Forum of Commercial Courts (SIFoCC) today (September 14). Photo shows Chief Justice Andrew Cheung, Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal (centre); Justice Jonathan Harris, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court (third left); Sir Geoffrey Vos, the Chair of the SIFoCC Steering Group (sixth right), and representatives from other jurisdictions at the Court of Final Appeal Building. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Judiciary hosted the Steering Group meeting of the Standing International Forum of Commercial Courts (SIFoCC) today (September 14). Photo shows Chief Justice Andrew Cheung, Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal (sixth left); Justice Jonathan Harris, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court (fifth left); Sir Geoffrey Vos, the Chair of the SIFoCC Steering Group (seventh left), and representatives from other jurisdictions at the Court of Final Appeal Building. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CHP investigates confirmed Mpox case
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (September 15) that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case, and strongly urged high-risk target groups to receive Mpox vaccinations. Meanwhile, the public is advised to be vigilant and avoid close physical contact with individuals suspected of contracting Mpox.
The case involves a 27-year-old man who developed rash and vesicles at his genital organs and surrounding areas starting on September 6. Subsequently, he developed a fever and lymphadenopathy and the rash spread to other parts of his body (including upper limbs, right leg and trunk). As his symptoms persisted, he called the CHP's hotline on September 11 to report his health condition to the CHP staff. The CHP immediately arranged the patient to seek medical attention at a social hygiene service clinic (SocHS) under the DH. The patient is currently receiving isolation treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, his clinical specimen tested positive for the monkeypox virus. The patient is currently in stable condition.
According to information provided by the patient, he had high-risk exposures with two male strangers in Hong Kong during the incubation period. No epidemiological linkages between this case and confirmed Mpox cases earlier recorded in Hong Kong have been identified so far. The CHP is continuing an epidemiological investigation of the case, and will endeavour to contact individuals who had high-risk contact with the patient and report the case to the World Health Organization.
Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 105 Mpox cases (83 local cases and 22 imported cases), including the above-mentioned case. All patients were males. Since this August, the number of Mpox cases in Hong Kong has seen an increase. As of today, 21 cases have been recorded this year, including 16 local cases and five imported cases. Among them, 12 are new cases reported since August. Epidemiological investigations showed that among the 12 recently identified cases, all patients self-identified as men who have sex with men or bisexual men. No epidemiological links were found between the cases. All patients reported engaging in high-risk sexual behaviour during the incubation period, including having sex with male strangers or having sex without a condom. In eight of these cases, patients reported using dating applications to find sexual partners. The CHP has sent a letter to doctors in Hong Kong, reminding them to be vigilant for Mpox cases and to provide relevant recommendations regarding Mpox vaccination to high-risk individuals.
The Mpox vaccine can prevent infection and severe disease. The DH provides Mpox vaccination services for high-risk groups. The following high-risk target groups are eligible for Mpox vaccinations on a voluntary basis:
- individuals with high-risk sexual practices, e.g. having multiple sexual partners, sex workers, or having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months;
- healthcare workers responsible for caring for patients with confirmed Mpox;
- laboratory personnel handling zoonotic pox viruses; and
- animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in case of Mpox occurrences in animals in Hong Kong.
High-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at any of the DH's SocHS (namely Chai Wan SocHS, Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Female SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS) and the DH's Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre, without prior appointments.
Meanwhile, the DH's Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and the Hospital Authority's Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital also provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.
Mpox is not transmitted through respiratory droplets or aerosols in general, and transmission would not occur through social contact. The CHP reminds the public, especially those at higher risks of exposure, to take precautions and avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of being infected. They should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they experience relevant symptoms, including rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches. They should not engage in activities with others that may involve contact with skin rash or body fluids.
For more details, please visit the CHP's webpages on Mpox and Mpox Vaccination Programme.
The Centre for Health Protection, Photo source: reference image
