The Government will introduce legislative amendments to the Mediation Ordinance (Cap. 620) to empower the Hong Kong Mediation Accreditation Association Limited (HKMAAL), on application by any party to an agreement to mediate, to decide the number of mediators or appoint mediators in prescribed circumstances where parties fail to reach an agreement, or where the agreed appointment procedure has not been carried out (Proposal).

     A spokesman for the Department of Justice said, "The Proposal aims to streamline the mediation process, reduce the risk of stalled proceedings arising from any disagreement over mediator appointments, and improve overall efficiency in case administration. These enhancements are especially beneficial for time-sensitive disputes. Granting the HKMAAL the said statutory power is expected to encourage the use of mediation as a dispute resolution mechanism. It will help bolster Hong Kong's competitiveness as a leading international dispute resolution hub and develop Hong Kong into a global capital of mediation."

     The Proposal was formulated on the basis of the recommendations made by the Working Group on Mediation Regulatory System in December 2025 following a stakeholder consultation. A primary objective of this legislative amendment is to recognise and further enhance the HKMAAL's leading status within the mediation sector.

     Since its incorporation in 2012, the HKMAAL has been operating as a premier, industry-led mediation accreditation and regulatory body. The HKMAAL is responsible for setting accreditation standards for mediators and mediation training courses, assessing applications for mediator accreditation and training course accreditation, and regulating accredited mediators. The member organisations of the HKMAAL span a diverse range of sectors, including law, dispute resolution, family welfare, construction, architecture, surveying and engineering. Unlike most mediation institutions in Hong Kong, the HKMAAL does not provide any mediation services or mediation training courses, whether on a for-profit or non-profit basis. Also, under "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mediation Rules (2025 Edition)", the HKMAAL is designated to appoint a mediator for the parties when they fail to reach a consensus on the choice of a mediator. The HKMAAL's distinctive role is also reflected in the Judiciary's requirement that mediators be accredited by the HKMAAL to participate in its mediation-related schemes. Given the HKMAAL's unique role and standing in the mediation sector, as well as the breadth of sectors covered by its member organisations, the Government considers the HKMAAL the most suitable organisation to exercise the said statutory appointing power.

     The Proposal, together with the other recommendations made by the Working Group, including that the HKMAAL will revise the Hong Kong Mediation Code and encourage its adoption, implement a robust complaint-handling and disciplinary framework to enforce the Mediation Code, and actively participate in global discussions on dispute resolution, forms a comprehensive package to enhance the mediation regulatory system in Hong Kong.  

     The recommendations and the key provisions in the amendment bill received general support from major legal and dispute resolution bodies, as well as the Judiciary, during further stakeholder consultations conducted from June to July 2026.  

     The Mediation (Amendment) Bill 2026 was gazetted on October 2 and was introduced into the Legislative Council today (October 14).

Ends/Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Issued at HKT 14:40

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