Remarks by DSJ at media session
Following are the remarks by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at a media session on the Funding Scheme for LawTech Solution Subscription by the Hong Kong Legal Sector during the LawTech Forum of the Hong Kong Legal Week 2026 today (November 5):
Reporter: The scheme targets junior barristers and small firms. What specific pain points has the financial barrier to lawtech been creating for these groups? And what immediate difference do you expect a $20,000 reimbursement to make in their day-to-day practice? My second question is: Applicants must choose from 14 providers. How are these providers vetted, and how will practitioners pick the right one? Will there be any guidance on which solutions are most suitable for specific practice areas?
Deputy Secretary for Justice: As you know, we launched the Funding Scheme for LawTech Solution Subscription by Hong Kong Legal Sector today (should be Tuesday), and the scheme aims to encourage the young legal professionals to enhance their capability to adopt lawtech resolution services in Hong Kong.
Certainly, financial burden is their concern - that is what we heard from the legal sector during our legal consultation. That is why we launched this pilot scheme. We are trying to encourage young professionals, especially those in small and medium-sized law firms, and barristers with less than seven years of experience. We hope to use this kind of financial incentive to encourage them to use the lawtech tools in their practice. I believe that after this pilot scheme, they will know how good the legal tools can help them in their practice. And I would say that this is only a beginning. Certainly, we will monitor the progress of the pilot scheme and see what we can do further for the legal sector in the years ahead.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
Source: AI-found images
Labour Department highly concerned about fatal work accident that happened in Sha Tin today
The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened on a construction site in Sha Tin this morning (November 5). While washing vehicle tyres on the vehicular lane at a site entrance, a female worker was run over by a grab lorry to death. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to the deceased’s family members.
The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending any work on the vehicular lane 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 any violations are found during the investigation."
To prevent workers from being struck by vehicles, the LD reminds employers to take adequate precautionary measures, including placing suitable barriers to segregate workers from vehicular lanes. If setting up barriers is not feasible, employers shall ensure that workers keep a safe working distance from vehicles. In addition, employers shall provide reflective vests to workers and ensure their proper use.
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 also 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
