​The 2026 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Legal Professional Examination (GBA Examination) was held today (September 19).

     The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, said, "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan) on Wednesday (September 16) to proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan. The Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan provides for better leveraging Hong Kong's unique advantages as a common law jurisdiction under "one country, two systems" to deepen Hong Kong's status as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre, promoting closer interface of rules and mechanisms concerning the safeguards of the rule of law in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), as well as encouraging more legal talent from Hong Kong to participate in the GBA Examination and practise in other GBA cities.

     "The amended Lawyers Law of the People's Republic of China (Lawyers Law), which took effect from September 1, provides the legal basis to conduct relevant work in respect of the regularisation of the GBA lawyers' scheme. I look forward to those Hong Kong legal practitioners who have acquired practice qualification as GBA lawyers utilising their edge of having dual practice qualification, thereby proactively integrating into and contributing to the overall national development. I also encourage Hong Kong legal practitioners who have not yet enrolled in the GBA Examination to join the professional team of GBA lawyers as soon as possible."

     The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) decided in August 2020 to authorise the State Council to conduct a pilot scheme for a period of three years. The pilot period would have originally expired in October 2023 and was extended by the NPCSC in August 2023 until October 4 this year. The NPCSC on August 28 this year passed amendments to the Lawyers Law, making clear legal provision for the GBA lawyers' scheme.

Ends/Saturday, September 19, 2026
Issued at HKT 21:00

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