Month: June 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

     The Judiciary today (June 23) announced that starting from June 30, the integrated Court Case Management System (iCMS) will be extended to the High Court, beginning with civil appeal cases.

     To prepare for the rollout of the iCMS in the High Court, the Judiciary has been proactively reaching out to law firms handling a relatively high volume of civil appeal cases in the past year to offer dedicated technical support, with a view to facilitating their early migration to the iCMS during the initial period. The Judiciary also welcomes any law firms to approach it early for assistance in this regard.

     The iCMS is an integral part of the Judiciary’s Information Technology Strategy Plan. It aims to facilitate the handling of court-related documents and payments electronically across various court levels. Major electronic services under the iCMS include sending case-specific court documents to the courts, receiving such documents from the courts, inspecting or searching filed documents and other case-related information held by the courts, searching cause books, and making payments for court services.

     The iCMS is being progressively implemented across various court levels. It currently covers personal injury actions, tax claim proceedings, civil action proceedings and employees’ compensation cases in the District Court, summons cases in the Magistrates’ Courts, as well as bulk claims in the Small Claims Tribunal. 

     For the High Court, the iCMS will initially be rolled out to civil appeal cases in the Court of Appeal on June 30, and will then incrementally cover 10 additional case types, including commercial actions, intellectual property cases, construction and arbitration proceedings, personal injuries actions, civil actions, probate actions, miscellaneous proceedings of the Court of Appeal, Magistracy appeals, miscellaneous proceedings (criminal) and intended actions. 

     The Judiciary aims to mandate the use of the iCMS for all legally represented litigants for case types where the electronic mode has been made available, starting in 2026. 

     Some new enhancement features will be introduced in the iCMS in the High Court:

     (a) “Generate Originating Document”
     This requires all iCMS users to create standard originating documents through e-fillable forms (instead of uploading scanned image of such documents) to facilitate the capturing of structured data.
 
     (b) “Judiciary Cloud”
     This seeks to progressively provide organisation users of the iCMS (starting from 20GB of storage space per organisation) with a temporary storage area to support the submission of documents exceeding the file size limit of 50MB when performing electronic filing.
 
     (c) “Deposit Account”
     This is an additional electronic payment option that allows organisation users to make non-interest-bearing prepayments for settling subsequent payments for transactions without the hassle of paying for each individual transaction. The Deposit Account will be available for use upon payment of an initial deposit of at least $3,000, which should be maintained (through top-ups where necessary) as the minimum account balance in the Deposit Account for each organisation.

     Details will be available on the dedicated webpage on e-Courts at the Judiciary website.
 
     Upon the rollout of the iCMS in the High Court, any party choosing to file or submit a document in paper format for an iCMS-enabled case type must also provide an electronic copy of the document to facilitate the creation and maintenance of a complete set of e-filing records for e-inspection. Litigants-in-persons (LiPs) can use the self-service kiosks located at the Resource Centre for Unrepresented Litigants in the High Court Building to scan and upload their documents to the iCMS. Non-LiPs, including law firms, are required to prepare the electronic copy of their documents on their own (outside the court building) and then use the kiosks solely for uploading the scanned documents to the iCMS. Parties may refer to guidance leaflets on using the self-service kiosks to upload documents. For law firms, this is the final transitional arrangement before the mandatory use of the iCMS.
      
     Case parties, particularly law firms, are strongly advised to register and start using the iCMS to avoid the hassle of paper filing and to enjoy the convenience of digital filing and payment anytime, anywhere. To encourage migration to the iCMS, a 20 per cent concession is offered to iCMS users for three years on fee items of the High Court that are primarily or directly related to electronic handling of court documents.
 
     Eligible users need to register for a user account to access the full range of services under the iCMS. Eligible users include parties of ongoing or new e-proceedings and their legal representatives (if any), the Hong Kong Bar Association, the Law Society of Hong Kong, law firms, government departments, law enforcement agencies and statutory bodies. Registration is free of charge.
 
     Unregistered members of the public may also use certain types of iCMS services, mainly related to searching for electronic documents that are open to public inspection.
      
     Regarding technical requirements, the iCMS can be accessed using personal computers or mobile devices with an Internet connection, commonly used operating systems and browsers.
 
     The iCMS operates around the clock, except during system maintenance. Any e-filing and e-payment received under the iCMS after the registry and the accounts office are normally closed to the public (i.e. after 5.30pm on a working day) will be deemed to be received at the start of the normal opening hours of the registry and the accounts office on the following working day.
 
     For more details about the iCMS, including its enhancement features and technical requirements, please visit the dedicated webpage on e-Courts of the Judiciary website at www.judiciary.hk/en/e_courts/index.html upon the rollout of the iCMS in the High Court on June 30.
 
     For enquiries, please call the general enquiry hotline at 2477 1002 or the technical helpline at 2886 6474, email to enquiry@judiciary.hk or visit the Help Centre at 5/F, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs introduced today (June 23) the E-form Submission for Passenger Information (Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments) (E-form) service that enables incoming and outgoing travellers to pre-fill information of a large quantity of currency and bearer negotiable instruments (CBNIs) (i.e. with a total value of more than HK$120,000) in their possession via an easy and convenient electronic means.
 
After the launch of the service, travellers can pre-fill information of a large quantity of CBNIs in accordance with the provisions of the Cross-boundary Movement of Physical Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments Ordinance (Cap. 629) and obtain a QR code before arriving in or just before leaving Hong Kong. They can then present the QR code to Customs officers for declaration when they enter or leave Hong Kong.
 
The E-form provides a variety of features, including enquiring about and amending the saved information prior to declaration, downloading completed declaration forms, autofilling personal information and digital signing with “iAM Smart+”. All these enable travellers to fill out information more conveniently and effectively, expedite the process of on-site declarations, and reduce overall clearance time.
 
Regarding the declaration and disclosure requirements of CBNIs, please visit the Customs website. For details on how to use the E-form, please read the User Manual of the E-form.
 
Hong Kong Customs will continue to leverage technology to optimise its systems and services with a view to providing quality clearance services to the public.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, today (June 22) had an engagement session with district leaders and visited a Community Living Room (CLR) in Hong Kong.

In the morning, Mr Xia, together with the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, met with the chairmen and representatives of the 18 District Councils at the engagement session. Mr Xia received briefings on their district work.

Accompanied by Mr Lee and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, Mr Xia inspected the facilities of the To Kwa Wan CLR to learn about the execution of the CLR Pilot Programme by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. He also took the opportunity to interact with users.

Mr Xia concluded his visit and left Hong Kong at night.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau led an industry delegation to participate in the 31st edition of the Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) and organised the Hong Kong Pavilion themed “Strolling through Hong Kong: Intangible Cultural Heritage and Urban Memories”. Through showcasing a wide range of Hong Kong intangible cultural heritage (ICH) and diverse Hong Kong cultural and creative works as well as publications and printed matters, the Hong Kong Pavilion presented profound Chinese culture and its inheritance and innovation in Hong Kong, at the same time exhibited the charms of literary excellence of Hong Kong, enhancing the reach of Hong Kong publishing and printing industries in market development and further promoting Hong Kong as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. The Hong Kong Pavilion was successfully held from June 18 to 22, with enthusiastic responses and a total of about 120 000 visitors recorded in the pavilion over the five-day fair period.
 
The Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Mr Victor Tsang, said that the Hong Kong Pavilion demonstrated the continuous strengthened collaborative efforts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) and the publishing industry, with the aim of showcasing the power of profound Chinese culture by highlighting the substantial achievements among Hong Kong publications. The Hong Kong Pavilion also unveiled the logo of the World Chinese Literature Festival and marked the launching in Beijing for the eight wordless illustration books published under the Hong Kong Picture Book Publishing Support Programme.
 
The Hong Kong Pavilion comprised four zones, among which the themed exhibition zone, the zone “A Glimpse of Hong Kong Writers” and the Hong Kong Illustration Zone exhibited over 500 items of Hong Kong publications, printed works and other cultural and creative products, attracting the attention of substantial audiences and publishers in the Mainland; while the zone for business negotiation had more than 50 Hong Kong publishers and printing companies exhibiting their latest creations and engaging in business discussions with potential business partners from around the world. Picture book illustrators sponsored to participate in the fair also visited various publishers during the fair period to broaden their business network and open up more business opportunities.
 
A number of Hong Kong ICH bearers were invited to the fairground in Beijing to host a series of workshops and demonstrations, so as to enable audiences to gain an in-depth understanding and experience of the ICH. Two printing industry seminars were also conducted at the Hong Kong Pavilion to promote the latest printing product control practices and discuss industry developments.
 
The Hong Kong Pavilion was presented by the CCIDA, with the Hong Kong Publishing Federation and the Hong Kong Printers Association as joint implementation organisations, the Beijing Office of the HKSARG, the Innovative Entrepreneur Association, the World Chinese Literature Foundation, the Hong Kong Professionals (Beijing) Association and the Advanced Printing Technology Centre as supporting organisations. Upon completion of the exhibition, the CCIDA donated part of the books exhibited to the Capital Library to sustain the cultural exchange between Beijing and Hong Kong.
 
A virtual version of the 31st edition of the BIBF Hong Kong Pavilion is also available online (Website: 2025bookfair.hkbibf.com) until the end of 2025 and beyond, allowing more potential business partners and readers to access outstanding Hong Kong publications and printed works. All members of the public are welcome to visit the website.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     This year marks the 5th anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL). The law complements and integrates seamlessly with the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance which was enacted last year, collectively forming a legal great wall to safeguard national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). At this significant moment in time, the HKSAR Government has organised the 5th Anniversary of Promulgation & Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Forum to look back and ahead to the development of the HKSAR’s legal system in safeguarding national security, with a view to enhancing the understanding of the laws on safeguarding national security among various sectors and raising public awareness on national security. 
 
     The Opening Ceremony of the Forum was held this morning. ​The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, was invited to officiate at the ceremony and deliver a keynote speech. The Chief Executive of the HKSAR and the Chairman of the Hong Kong National Security Committee, Mr John Lee, also delivered a keynote speech at the ceremony.
 
     The Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR and National Security Adviser to the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the HKSAR, Mr Zhou Ji; Vice-Chairperson of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and Deputy Director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Mr Zhang Yong; the Head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Mr Dong Jingwei; the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR, Mr Cui Jianchun; and the Commander-in-Chief of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison, Major General Peng Jingtang, also delivered speeches at the ceremony.
 
     Mr Xia said in his speech that the implementation of the HKNSL over the past five years has proven the law to be a “guardian” in defending the “one country, two systems” principle and in safeguarding the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. It is a good law of great historical significance and immediate importance, he said, stressing that the situation facing Hong Kong in safeguarding national security is still complex and grave, and that it is necessary to grasp the requirements of safeguarding national security under the “one country, two systems” principle to maintain and consolidate the hard-won situation that Hong Kong is now enjoying. Profound changes are taking place in the internal and external environments of Hong Kong. Hong Kong must safeguard national security in the full process of implementing the “one country, two systems” principle; ensure that the governance of the HKSAR is firmly in the hands of the patriots; be steadfast in safeguarding security and promoting development; effectively protect the human rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people, and maintain Hong Kong’s unique position and advantages.
 
     Mr Xia said that the HKSAR Government and all sectors of society must unite and take responsibility to give full play to the institutional advantages of the “one country, two systems” principle, and grasp four key points: first, fully implement a holistic approach to national security to safeguard high-quality development with high-level security; second, leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages in connecting the Mainland and the world to promote high-quality development through openness; third, utilise Hong Kong’s “golden reputation” vis-à-vis the rule of law to safeguard high-quality development; and fourth, uphold Hong Kong’s executive-led system to improve governance of the SAR and promote high-quality development through reform.

     Mr Xia concluded by saying that the enactment and implementation of the HKNSL is a major event in the implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle and has already made its mark in history. Looking to the future, the HKNSL will surely safeguard the steady and far-reaching journey of the “one country, two systems” principle, enabling Hong Kong to achieve new and greater accomplishments in the grand endeavor of building a strong nation and realising national rejuvenation.
 
     In his speech, Mr Lee thanked Mr Xia for his heartfelt review of the positive significance of the HKNSL in restoring Hong Kong’s stability and implementing the “one country, two systems” principle in the past five years, and for providing direction for Hong Kong’s future security and development. Mr Lee put forward four main points, stressing that the HKSAR must fully and accurately implement the “one country, two systems” principle and thoroughly adopt a holistic approach to national security; adhere to the solid foundation of the rule of law and leverage Hong Kong’s international advantages; cherish the stable situation and seize development opportunities; and enhance traditional advantages, focusing on reform and innovation. He said that the HKSAR should continue to safeguard national security and make good use of the stable situation to focus its efforts on developing a vibrant economy, achieving prosperous development and improving people’s livelihoods to realise people-centered development.
 
     Mr Lee said that under the institutional protection of the “one country, two systems” principle and the safeguarding of the HKNSL, which complements and integrates seamlessly with the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, Hong Kong’s development and reform will surely continue to advance steadily, thereby making greater contributions to the nation in the building of a great country and advancing toward national rejuvenation.
 
     The young generation plays an important role in passing down the sense of mission and self-awareness on safeguarding national security for it to be deeply rooted and realised. One of the sessions of the forum was a performance with the theme of “Five Years of a New Horizon – Our Commitment to Safeguarding National Security”, which was performed by more than 180 students of different ages. The HKSAR Government has been committed to promoting national security education. The Department of Justice, the Security Bureau and the Education Bureau have organised various activities to raise awareness of national security among the young generation. The awards presentation ceremonies for the Security Bureau Youth Uniformed Groups National Security Quiz Competition, the Territory-wide Inter-school National Security Knowledge Challenge 2024/25, and the “Hong Kong National Security Law – Safeguards and Hopes” Social Media Post Competition were held at the forum to commend the young awardees.
 
     After the award presentation ceremonies, Mr Xia, together with Mr Lee, Mr Zhou, Mr Zhang, Mr Dong, Mr Cui, Major General Peng, and Mr Lam, officiated at the Hong Kong National Security Law – Guarding Every Voyage and Forging a Brighter Future Kick-off Ceremony, symbolising that Hong Kong has embarked on a new journey of advancement from stability to prosperity under the protection of the HKNSL.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

With a view to enhancing the regulation of licensed money lenders, the Government today began a public consultation to gather views from the community.

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui said the Government has been monitoring the money lending market and reviewing prevailing regulatory measures with the aim of inducing more responsible lending behaviour.

“We have proposed a number of measures in the consultation paper, with a view to stepping up efforts in addressing the issue of excessive borrowing and better protecting the public interest.”

The proposed measures including enhancing regulation of unsecured personal loans, and strengthening protection for loan referees.

Other proposals involve optimising and improving borrower affordability assessments for unsecured personal loans, strengthening the complaint handling process, stepping up publicity and education, and enhancing the regulatory regime in relation to money lenders.

Members of the public can submit their views by post to 15/F, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong, or by email on or before August 22.