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Hong Kong will next month (July) hold its largest legal services forum yet on the Mainland to coincide with the staging of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai China.
The Hong Kong Legal Services Forum will be held on July 6 under the theme "Hong Kong Legal Services – Global Vision" at the Pudong Shangri-La Hotel. About 400 people, mainly from Shanghai and nearby cities, are expected to attend.
A high-level Hong Kong contingent led by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Wong Yan Lung, SC, will participate in the forum. Members include Law Society President, Mr Huen Wong; Hong Kong Bar Association Chairman, Mr Russell Coleman, SC; Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Chairman, Dr Michael Moser; Secretary General of the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce, Mr Jason Fry; Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Fred Lam; and Deputy Director of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of National People's Congress, Ms Elsie Leung.
Forum speakers will also include senior and experienced Hong Kong solicitors, barristers and arbitrators who will share their experiences in various practical legal issues including those relating to international trade, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, commercial disputes resolution, procedural and evidentiary issues in arbitration and the enforcement of arbitral awards.
The forum is organised by the HKSAR Government's Department of Justice, together with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Law Society of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Bar Association, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce.
"As Shanghai plays host to Expo 2010, this will be an opportune time for Hong Kong to demonstrate our strength as a regional centre of legal services and dispute resolution," said the Secretary for Justice, Mr Wong.
"With China's rise as one of the great economic powers in the world and its enterprises becoming increasingly outward looking, the demand for legal services has grown significantly.
"Over the years, Hong Kong has developed into a global financial centre and our legal services have played a significant part in this development.
"Our experienced legal professionals with global exposure and our independent judiciary of international repute have all contributed to this success.
"I believe that Hong Kong is in a position to share our experience with the corporate and legal sectors of the Mainland.
"I am confident that the forum will provide participants with ample opportunity to explore ways in which they can benefit from working along with our legal and dispute resolution professionals."
For more details on the forum programme, please visit www.doj.gov.hk/legalservicesforum/eng/index.htm .
Registration is by invitation only. Those who would like to attend may contact Ms Wang Nan of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's Shanghai Office. Telephone number: 86(21) 6352 8488; email: shanghai.office@hktdc.org.
Ends/Thursday, June 3, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:01
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