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Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The inaugural Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Lawyers Forum and the inaugural LawTech Conference were held today, marking the conclusion of Hong Kong Legal Week 2025.

 

The five-day event attracted approximately 6,000 online and offline registrants from nearly 50 jurisdictions, demonstrating Hong Kong’s status as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre that enjoys unique advantages owing to its common law system under the “one country, two systems” arrangement.

 

The GBA Lawyers Forum, which took the theme of “GBA Connectivity: Setting Sail for Global Horizons”, brought together prominent legal experts from Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland to share insights on cross-boundary legal collaboration.

 

This was followed by the LawTech Conference, which was the main event of this week’s three-day LawTech Fest. The conference, themed “The AI Era: Shaping the Legal Landscape in the 21st Century”, featured a keynote speaker, an interactive segment and roundtable discussions, during which the LexGoTech Roundtables Report was released.

 

In closing remarks at the conference, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam highlighted that the Chief Executive’s recent Policy Address emphasised the Government’s commitment to promoting AI as a core industry.

 

Besides promoting the integration of lawtech and AI in the legal sector, the Department of Justice will establish an interdepartmental working group by the end of this year to co-ordinate the responsible bureaus in reviewing relevant legislation, he added.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson announced today (December 5) that the conditions of all hospitalised casualties from the Tai Po fire are gradually improving, and all patients previously listed as critical have now been stabilised. Healthcare staff will continue their efforts to care for all patients, offering hope for a swift recovery.

A total of 79 patients received treatment at various public hospitals following the fire. Among them, 19 were previously listed in critical condition due to severe burns, smoke inhalation, and respiratory injuries. After receiving treatment, the condition of all critical patients has improved. As of 6pm today, 30 patients remain hospitalised, with none in critical condition, six in serious condition, and 24 in stable condition. Forty-nine patients have been discharged.

The HA spokesperson said: “All hospitalised patients have shown significant improvement. Healthcare staff have formulated appropriate treatment plans and comprehensive care to support their recovery. Psychological support is also offered to patients and their families to address mental and emotional needs.”

The HA will provide full medical fee waivers for all Wang Fuk Court residents until December 31, 2026. This includes in-patient services, family medicine and specialist out-patient clinics (SOPCs) services (including psychiatry SOPCs), accident and emergency services, day hospitals, day procedures, community services and Chinese Medicine Clinics cum Training and Research Centres under the HA.

The spokesperson added that healthcare staff will continue to provide dedicated care and support throughout the patients’ recovery journey, expressing hope that all patients and their families will remain resilient and overcome this traumatic experience as soon as possible.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The GBA Lawyers Organization was officially launched today (December 5) at the First Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Lawyers Forum under the Hong Kong Legal Week 2025, with a view to steadily advancing the pilot scheme for lawyers practicing in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and fully leveraging their professional strengths. The Organization will provide liaison services and organise activities to support GBA lawyers to better contribute to the development of the GBA.
 
     The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, remarked in his opening speech that the establishment of a dedicated platform for GBA lawyers was one of the key tasks in the Action Plan on the Construction of Rule of Law in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area released by the Department of Justice (DoJ) last year. The same initiative was also clearly stated in last year’s Policy Address, reflecting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s strong commitment to promote the nurturing of legal talent in the GBA. He thanked the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province for their strong support in the establishment of the GBA Lawyers Organization, and hoped that the Organization would in the future, collaborate closely with the DoJ to advance the pilot scheme for lawyers to practice in the GBA, create favourable conditions for regularising the GBA lawyers scheme, and contribute to the country’s construction of foreign-related rule of law.
 
     The Representative of the Preparatory Office of the GBA Lawyers Organization and Chairman of the China Legal Service (H.K.) Ltd, Ms Liu Changchun, introduced the objectives, functions and key activities of the Organization at the forum. The main responsibilities of the Organization include uniting Hong Kong lawyers with affection for the country and Hong Kong to give full effect to the role of GBA lawyers in the country’s construction of foreign-related rule of law and promote integration of Hong Kong’s legal community into the national development; strengthening professional exchanges and collaboration among lawyers in the area, facilitating GBA lawyers’ participation in professional activities held in the Mainland and Hong Kong; and providing communication, consultation, and training services for those who already obtained the GBA lawyer’s licence, such as those who passed the GBA Legal Professional Examination with a plan to practice in the Mainland, as well as applicants for the GBA Legal Professional Examination. The Organization will also study and analyse the challenges and issues faced by lawyers practicing in the GBA and propose solutions.
 
     The first Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Lawyers Forum, themed “GBA Connectivity: Setting Sail for Global Horizons”, gathered Mainland and Hong Kong legal leaders who delivered keynote speeches on cross-boundary co-operation and future development of GBA lawyers. As the first keynote speaker, the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, elaborated on Hong Kong’s unique advantages and how it leverages its strategic position as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region as well as measures introduced by the DoJ in strengthening Hong Kong’s roles as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”, making Hong Kong the preferred partner for Mainland enterprises seeking to expand abroad and for foreign companies hoping to tap into the Mainland market. The Director-General of the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province, Mr Chen Xudong, also delivered a keynote speech outlining Guangdong’s implementation of and future development on the country’s opening policy for Hong Kong and Macao legal services. Other speakers shared insights on the legal practitioners framework and regulatory regime for GBA lawyers; dispute resolution practice, and innovations in the regulatory framework and judicial practice concerning choice of law for Hong Kong and Macao-invested enterprises.
 
     During the panel discussion themed “The Unique Advantage of ‘One Country, Two Systems, Three Jurisdictions’ – GBA Lawyers Facilitating Enterprises to Go Global”, prominent GBA and Mainland lawyers exchanged practical experiences and discussed how dual-qualified GBA lawyers could leverage the unique strengths of the “one country, two systems, three jurisdictions” framework under the GBA to assist Mainland enterprises in going global.
 
     For more details of the Hong Kong Legal Week 2025, please visit the dedicated website at www.legalweek.hk. A live broadcast is available on the dedicated website and at webcast.info.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 5) that the Aberdeen Public Library (including the Students’ Study Room) will be temporarily closed on December 7 to facilitate voting for the 2025 Legislative Council General Election at the polling station located in the Aberdeen Sports Centre.

     A book drop service will be available at the Aberdeen Public Library on that day. Alternatively, readers may borrow or return library materials at other public libraries, or renew loan items by telephone on 2698 0002/2827 2833 or online at www.hkpl.gov.hk.

     For enquiries, please contact library staff of the Aberdeen Public Library at 2921 1056.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following are the closing remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, at the LawTech Conference “The AI Era: Shaping the Legal Landscape in the 21st Century” under Hong Kong Legal Week 2025 today (December 5):

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

     As we approach the end of Hong Kong Legal Week 2025, I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your active participation in the past few days despite the difficult circumstances in our community. We extend our deepest sympathies to all those affected by the tragic fire which took place last week and remain mindful of the gravity of the situation as we bring Hong Kong Legal Week 2025 to a close. This week has offered us a valuable platform to engage in meaningful dialogues on various international, regional and local hot topics. This afternoon, we have explored the burgeoning possibilities presented by lawtech and artificial intelligence (AI).

Importance of lawtech and AI in the 21st century

     This is a meaningful year for the DoJ’s (Department of Justice) annual flagship Hong Kong Legal Week, as we organised the inaugural Hong Kong LawTech Fest. Lawtech and AI are not only trends to observe but pivotal forces which are transforming the whole legal profession. During the Hong Kong LawTech Fest, we have explored how technological advancements are transforming the legal industry, enhancing not only efficiency but also accessibility and quality.

     The significance of lawtech and AI cannot be overstated. The traditional methods we have relied on for long are now being complemented and, in some cases, supplanted by innovative technologies which help streamline workflow and enhance efficiency. AI-powered legal tools facilitate a wide variety of tasks including legal research, document review and drafting, contract lifecycle management and e-discovery, and are significantly changing the way legal practitioners engage with their work. These tools elevate legal services’ quality by minimising human errors, speeding up administrative tasks, and ensuring more accurate and timely responses to clients.

     Furthermore, the introduction of these technologies opens the door to a more inclusive legal landscape. The use of AI tools could facilitate access to justice through reducing the overall costs of legal services and making legal resources more easily accessible to individuals, regardless of their financial background. At the institutional level, they enable law firms, courts, and organisations to scale services, optimise resource allocation, and bridge gaps in access to justice.

     Nevertheless, there are two sides to every coin. As we embrace these technological innovations, we must not neglect the associated risks and ethical considerations. Throughout the discussions and the LexGoTech Roundtables Report released today, we have acknowledged the dual nature of technology: whilst it holds the promise of efficiency and accuracy, it carries the risks of bias, challenges to data privacy, accountability and transparency, etc. In light of these risks, maintaining human-in-the-loop is critical. We should not forget that while AI can process vast amounts of data with remarkable speed, advocacy, ethical judgment, commercial acumen, critical decision-making, emotional intelligence and relationship building and management cannot be fully automated. It is therefore pertinent for us to adopt a “Human+AI” approach when embracing the use of AI so that we can harness the benefits of technology while safeguarding against its potential risks.

DoJ’s work in the promotion of AI in the legal industry

     It is imperative that we approach the implementation of lawtech and AI in legal practice in a cautious and step-by-step manner. In this connection, the DoJ has embraced the recommendation of the Consultation Group on LawTech Development to promote the use of technology in the legal industry progressively in three stages. In Phase 1, we aim to change certain ingrained mindsets and practices within the legal profession by raising awareness. To this end, the DoJ launched the LexGoTech Roundtable Series to raise the profession’s understanding of lawtech and to facilitate the exchange and sharing of information between the profession and lawtech experts to enable them to plan for the viable adoption of lawtech. Moving to Phase 2, we aim to promote the profession’s engagement with lawtech products. We hope that through the Hong Kong LawTech Fest, the legal sector could have a better understanding of and access to the lawtech products which are available in the market, and to empower them to make informed choices on the adoption approach that best suits their individual needs. In Phase 3, we would accelerate the widespread adoption of lawtech in the legal profession by encouraging local and overseas lawtech enterprises to establish and grow in the local market, thereby fostering Hong Kong’s lawtech ecosystem. 

Policy Address 2025 and the National “AI+” Initiative

     The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address emphasises the Government’s strong commitment to step up the promotion of AI as a core industry for Hong Kong’s development. In this connection, apart from actively promoting the integration of lawtech and AI in the legal sector, the DoJ has taken on a pivotal role in shaping the broader legal regime for AI governance. In particular, we will establish an interdepartmental working group by the end of this year to co-ordinate the responsible bureaux in reviewing the relevant legislation, so as to support and complement the development of and need for wider application of AI in Hong Kong. 

     The emphasis of AI in Policy Address 2025 resonates with the national “AI+” Initiative. The 10-year blueprint for integrating AI into China’s economy and society aims to maximise the technology’s benefits for domestic development and international competitiveness. By aligning ourselves with this national strategy, and with Hong Kong being the springboard for Mainland enterprises going global, we would strengthen Hong Kong’s competitiveness as a global hub for AI development as well as contribute to national development by powering up our legal services. 

     As legal practitioners, it is our responsibility to harness the potential of lawtech and AI, not merely to enhance our practices but also to contribute to the overall development of our society. Embracing AI complements our vision of a forward-looking, dynamic legal system which is well prepared to tackle the challenges of the digital age. As we consider the implications of these goals for the legal profession, we must commit ourselves to continuous learning, adaptation, and collaboration. We should work together to ensure that the legal sector evolves alongside technological advancements while adhering to key principles such as accuracy and reliability, compliance with laws and regulations, security and transparency, etc.

     The AI revolution offers us an unprecedented opportunity to redefine the legal profession and sharpen our skills. By embracing these changes with an open and cautious mindset, we can create a legal system which is not only swifter and smarter, but also fairer and more accessible for all. Let us ride the wave of this AI revolution together and seize the opportunities to enhance our practices and serve our community with greater impact. Together, we can keep Hong Kong at the vanguard of legal innovation in the 21st century.

     Last but not least, I would like to take this opportunity to invite all those who are eligible to exercise your right to vote in the Legislative Council General Election on Sunday. Your active participation is more than a constitutional duty – it is a pivotal choice which will shape the future of our legal system, uphold the rule of law, and secure the well-being of our society.

     Before I conclude, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the supporting organisations, exhibitors of the Hong Kong LawTech Fest, moderators, speakers, my colleagues and all participants.  None of the events of Hong Kong Legal Week 2025 would have been possible without your support, dedication, and hard work. On behalf of the Department, I extend our deepest thanks. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following are the welcome remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, at the 15th Business of IP Asia Forum Concurrent Breakout Session “From Trends to Triumph: Conquering the Legal Hurdles in IP Commercialization” today (December 5):

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. I welcome you all to this thematic breakout session co-organised by the Department of Justice and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

     In recent years, the popular art toy industry and the “goods economy” have expanded rapidly worldwide. Notably, the iconic art toy character Labubu, created by a renowned Hong Kong designer, has received the most attention. Its diverse range of IP (intellectual property) merchandise, from “blind boxes” and plush toys to apparels and accessories, have generated considerable profits in the markets of Hong Kong and beyond. 
 
     But the art toy phenomenon is more than a momentary trend, it presents valuable opportunities for Hong Kong. At the same time, numerous challenges in the realm of intellectual property have emerged alongside its growing fame. Later this afternoon, our distinguished speakers will take us through strategies for protecting the intellectual property rights of IP merchandise, the potential infringement risks and legal challenges related to IP commercialisation, and address how IP disputes can be tackled and resolved. 

Robust IP protection regime

     As Hong Kong is capitalising on IP as a new growth area, a robust and effective IP protection regime lays the foundation for fostering innovation, technological development and creativity. Indeed, such a regime builds up confidence and serves as a prerequisite for promoting IP trading in the highly competitive international landscape.  

     To fully leverage the advantage of support from the Central People’s Government for Hong Kong to develop into a regional IP trading centre, the Government attaches great importance to the legal protection of IP rights, and has made every effort to ensure our IP legal framework remains up to date, aligns with current international standards, and meets the demands of Hong Kong’s future economic development, especially those from creators and investors all over the world.

     Recognising that industrial design, which seeks to protect the design of the appearance of an article, is one of the IP rights that is protected and registrable under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Government is currently conducting a comprehensive review of Hong Kong’s registered designs regime under Registered Designs Ordinance (Cap. 522). 

International and Mainland co-operation

     Whilst the IP laws in Hong Kong are domestic and only offer territorial protection, Hong Kong continues to work closely with the international community in this respect. As of today, 10 main international IP conventions have been applied to Hong Kong, providing international and cross-border IP protection to IP creators. As a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), our IP protection regime fully aligns with and strictly adheres to the international standards on the protection of IP rights set forth in the WTO’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of IP Rights.

     Hong Kong has also established extensive co-operations with the Chinese Mainland in multiple areas of IP protection. For instance, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and the Qianhai Authority in Shenzhen jointly promulgated 16 Co-operation Measures for the Development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Intellectual Property and Innovation Hub (Co-operation Measures) in 2023, which encompass a wide range of areas, including multidimensional co-operations in IP protection and IP trading. 

     These Co-operation Measures do not only serve to foster cross-boundary innovation and promote IP development on both sides, but also addresses in a timely manner the surging demand for IP trading in the areas of assignment and licensing of IP rights.  

     In this connection, the innovative capacity of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is well recognised by the international community. In the latest WIPO Global Innovation Index 2025, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster ranks first globally in the top 100 innovation clusters. 

Dispute resolution

     Moving onto dispute resolution, Hong Kong, as the international legal and dispute resolution services centre, is well-positioned to provide top-notch services in resolving IP disputes. 

     In respect of litigation, with the Mainland Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters (Reciprocal Enforcement) Ordinance (Cap. 645) coming into effect last year, Hong Kong judgments on IP disputes are now generally recognised and enforceable in the Chinese Mainland. This represents a significant development as it goes beyond the international norms set out in the Hague Convention, which explicitly excludes all IP matters.

     Turning to arbitration, arbitration is a prevalent option for resolving international IP disputes. Our dispute resolution professionals have substantial experience in resolving IP disputes. In this regard, our home-grown arbitral institution, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, has maintained a Panel of Arbitrators for IP disputes. The Panel comprises members who have strong expertise and extensive experience in resolving IP disputes. As of November 2025, there are a total of 55 arbitrators for IP disputes on the panel. 

     The presence of these experienced IP arbitrators contributes to the attractiveness of Hong Kong as a seat for arbitration. According to the 2025 International Arbitration Survey conducted by Queen Mary University of London, Hong Kong ranks as the second most preferred seat for arbitration globally and the first in the Asia-Pacific region.

     Hong Kong’s arbitration regime is well suited to resolve IP disputes. In 2017, the Arbitration Ordinance (Cap. 609) was amended to clarify that disputes over IP rights can be resolved by arbitration and arbitral awards involving IP rights can be enforced in Hong Kong. Since the rapid development of innovation and technology around the world would inevitably give rise to IP disputes, these timely amendments have given Hong Kong a competitive edge over other jurisdictions in the region in resolving IP disputes. To ensure that the legislative framework for arbitration in Hong Kong stays at the forefront of international development, a Working Group on Arbitration Law Reform was recently established in late October 2025 to review and study further the needs to amend the Arbitration Ordinance.

     In addition, the Interim Measures Arrangement (Arrangement Concerning Mutual Assistance in Court-ordered Interim Measures in Aid of Arbitral Proceedings by the Courts of the Mainland and of the HKSAR), which came into force in October 2019, has proven to be particularly useful in the context of cross-border IP disputes where urgent interim measures in the form of property and evidence preservation are usually called for. The arrangement allows parties to arbitral proceedings administered by designated arbitral institutions in Hong Kong to apply to court in the Chinese Mainland for interim measures. Hong Kong is currently the only common law jurisdiction with such an advantage, which again enhances Hong Kong’s overall attractiveness as an arbitral seat. 

     Our panel speakers will discuss the benefits of resolving IP disputes through arbitration in further detail during the panel discussion session, and I am sure you will find the practical examples shared by the speakers insightful.

     All in all, with the strong legal infrastructure and comprehensive policy initiatives in place to support IP trading and resolution of IP disputes, Hong Kong has the potential to strengthen its position as a premier hub for IP trading in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond in the years ahead. 

     On this note, I wish you all a very constructive session this afternoon. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident happened in Wan Chai today (December 5) in which a woman died.

At 10.14am, a coach driven by a 62-year-old man was travelling along Wan Chai Road southbound. When approaching the junction of Wan Chai Road and Cross Street, the coach reportedly knocked down an 86-year-old female pedestrian.

The female pedestrian was trapped under the coach and subsequently rescued by passersby. Sustaining serious multiple injuries, she was rushed to Ruttonjee Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 10.42am.

The coach driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and is being detained for enquiries. Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Hong Kong Island is under way.

Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3660 6848.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs mounted a special enforcement operation codenamed “Gridbuster” in Mong Kok between November 20 and yesterday (December 4) to combat the sale of counterfeit goods and seized about 7 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $2.58 million.

Customs earlier conducted patrols at popular shopping spots and discovered some fixed-pitch hawker stalls in Mong Kok selling suspected counterfeit goods. After investigations, Customs officers took enforcement action during the abovementioned period and raided 21 fixed-pitch hawker stalls on Tung Choi Street and a nearby storage site for counterfeit goods upstairs. A batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including handbags, leather goods, and accessories, was seized.

During the operation, Customs arrested one man and four women, aged between 23 and 56. An investigation is ongoing.

With Christmas and New Year holidays approaching, Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to vigorously combat different kinds of counterfeit goods activities in order to safeguard local consumers’ and visitors’ rights at full strength.

Customs appeals to local consumers and visitors to purchase goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Customs also reminds traders not to sell counterfeit goods and to be cautious and prudent in merchandising since selling counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.

Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region