Deputy Secretary for Justice Highlights Hong Kong's Progress in Sports Dispute Resolution at YBC Conference 2026

Speech by DSJ at YBC Conference 2026

Following is the speech by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at the YBC (Young Barristers' Committee) Conference 2026 today (November 13):

Martin (Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association, Mr Martin Hui, SC), Former Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma (Former Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Geoffrey Ma), distinguished guests, fellow members of the Bar, ladies and gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to join you at this annual conference hosted by the Standing Committee on Young Barristers of the Hong Kong Bar Association. I am delighted to be among so many of our future leaders of the Bar.

My boss has just mentioned the exciting developments in sports dispute resolution in Hong Kong. The Pilot Scheme on Sports Dispute Resolution, which began as an initiative in the Policy Address 2024 in direct response to calls from both the sports and legal sectors for a neutral, fair and efficient mechanism for resolving sports disputes, has now been included in Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan.

We took the initiative to get the ball rolling. The Pilot Scheme was rolled out in February this year to establish a sports dispute resolution system and promote sports mediation and arbitration, thereby leveraging the institutional advantages of Hong Kong in dispute resolution. It adopts a set of tailored mediation and arbitration rules and features dedicated panels of 53 mediators and 43 arbitrators, comprising local and international experts from 23 jurisdictions. Since its launch, the Pilot Scheme has gained remarkable traction, actively handling applications and recording successfully mediated cases. I am pleased to share that the implementation of the Pilot Scheme is steadily on track.

By the way, I must express my appreciation for the Hong Kong Bar Association's support for and contribution to this initiative. For example, in October last year, the Department of Justice (DoJ), the Hong Kong Bar Association and Hong Kong Baptist University jointly organised a Sports Arbitration Demonstration, showcasing arbitration as an effective means of resolving sports disputes. Members of the Bar acted as moderators and speakers at the Sports Mediation Seminar during the DoJ's flagship event Mediation Week in May this year, attracting nearly 400 attendees. The Hong Kong Bar Association was also one of the supporting organisations of our Sports Dispute Resolution Workshop in July this year, which brought together 120 participants from 30 sports organisations.

To gain further momentum, the DoJ will co-organise a Sports Dispute Resolution Summit with the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong on December 1 this year. It will gather local, regional and international experts to have an in-depth dialogue on the development of sports dispute resolution and chart the way forward. We will continue to explore co-operation opportunities with international and regional sports associations, with a view to developing Hong Kong into an international sports dispute resolution centre. Meanwhile, I would like to share some great news with you - there will be a prominent regional sports-law-related organisation to be headquartered in Hong Kong within this year, but I will keep everyone in suspense for the time being. So please stay tuned for more news.

For your information, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau also launched its three-year pilot scheme in April this year to provide financial support to attract Asian and international sports associations to set up their headquarters or regional headquarters in Hong Kong. So far, six international and regional sports federations have already set up their headquarters in Hong Kong.

I am delighted to conclude that Hong Kong has really made remarkable achievements in sports dispute resolution, and I am confident to say that Hong Kong is moving towards becoming Asia's sports dispute resolution hub.

I invite you all to continue to support the development of sports dispute resolution and, better still, consider getting specialised as sports mediators and sports arbitrators.

Equip yourselves, and help shape this field. With your energy, expertise and commitment, Hong Kong can certainly strengthen our sports ecosystem and become Asia's sports dispute resolution hub for years to come. Thank you very much.

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, speaks at the YBC Conference 2026 today (November 13). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Child previously reported as severe case of paediatric influenza infection passes away

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that a 14-month-old girl infected with influenza A passed away earlier today (November 13). The CHP announced the case as a severe case of influenza A infection on October 29.

This is the third fatal case of paediatric influenza infection in Hong Kong this year. Hong Kong entered the influenza season in late June this year, and the influenza season has lasted for more than four months by now. The latest surveillance data showed that the overall influenza activity has declined but remains above baseline levels. A cumulative total of 29 cases of severe paediatric influenza infection have been recorded in the current influenza season. Among these cases, 22 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital, two are in stable condition, two are in critical condition, and three have passed away. The Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, reminded members of the public that Hong Kong is still in the midst of the influenza season. Although overall influenza activity has shown a downward trend over the past few weeks, it remains above baseline levels. Data from the previous year revealed that the rate of severe complications or death among unvaccinated children following influenza infection was approximately five times higher than that among vaccinated children. The CHP urged all individuals aged six months or older, except those with known contraindications, to promptly receive the seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) if they have not yet done so.

This year's SIV Programmes have been underway for about two months. Currently, there is an adequate supply of vaccines in both the public and private healthcare sectors, providing free or subsidised SIV to eligible individuals. To facilitate members of the public in receiving SIV, eligible persons may receive SIV at about 270 public service points, including around 110 designated clinics under the DH located in various districts across the territory (including all 29 Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) for all children aged 6 months to under 2 years); 76 Family Medicine Clinics and 38 public hospitals under the Hospital Authority; and 45 District Health Centres, District Health Centre Expresses and their service points under the Primary Healthcare Commission. For the list of vaccination venues, please refer to the CHP's SIV Programmes webpage. Parents/guardians of eligible children may also book a vaccination appointment for their children at designated MCHCs via the online booking system.

Furthermore, over 1 900 private doctors currently participate in the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (VSS), providing services at over 3 200 service points across all districts in Hong Kong. For the list of VSS doctors, please visit apps.hcv.gov.hk/public/en/SPS/Search.

Dr Tsui reminded members of the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene. High-risk individuals, such as children, the elderly, and those with underlying illnesses or persons who are immunocompromised, should wear a surgical mask when using public transport or staying in crowded places. The health condition of children with influenza can deteriorate rapidly. Parents must pay close attention to their condition, and visit an accident and emergency department immediately if the child's condition deteriorates with symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, a persistent fever or convulsions.

Source: AI-found images