The Department of Justice (DoJ) welcomed the release and the implementation of the Measures for the Management of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Legal Professional Examination and Practice (Measures) by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) on October 5.

     Following the conclusion of the multi-year pilot scheme for GBA lawyers on October 4 this year, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress earlier passed the amendments to the Lawyers Law of the People's Republic of China (Lawyers Law), officially regularising the GBA lawyers' scheme while also specifying that relevant details are stipulated by the judicial administration department of the State Council in accordance with the law.

     The MoJ released the Measures on October 5 to provide clear regulations for relevant matters such as the enrolment requirements for the GBA Examination, the application procedures to practise as lawyers and the scope of practice, including specifying that the said examination will be held once every two years.

     The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, said, "The amended Lawyers Law, together with the Measures, have established the practice regime and implementation rules for GBA lawyers, providing solid legal protection and clear guidance for the long-term and stable operation of the GBA lawyers' scheme. I warmly welcome these developments and thank the Mainland authorities for their strong support." Mr Lam encouraged Hong Kong legal talent to join the team of GBA lawyers as soon as possible, leveraging the unique strengths of "one country, two systems, three jurisdictions" to seize the infinite possibilities arising from the development of the GBA.

     In the future, the DoJ will proactively take forward the policy initiatives relating to the practice of GBA lawyers set out in the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address. The DoJ will fully support and complement Mainland authorities in implementing the relevant scheme, giving full play to the unique strengths of Hong Kong's legal profession and deepening co-operation in legal services among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. 

Ends/Sunday, October 11, 2026
Issued at HKT 9:00

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