Summer Issue, 2013

Convocation Speech 67 Convocation Yuen illustrated the interactive relationship between a city’s legal system, its legal infrastructure and its social, economic development, and explained why and how Hong Kong should position itself as a centre and regional hub for both domestic and international legal services, and for alternative dispute resolution (ADR), especially in the Asia Paci c Region. To achieve this goal, he suggests that Hong Kong should carry out timely and effective law reform and provide an attractive legal environment for lawyers. He also noted that the Government should further enhance Hong Kong’s international visibility and presence, and promote Hong Kong as a centre for legal and ADR services. Legal research on substantive law and legal policy should also command great importance. Make the best use of the “One County,Two Systems” Concept He also stressed that this goal can provide long-term bene ts for both Hong Kong and China. As Hong Kong, being an integral part of China, should make the best use of the “One Country, Two Systems” concept. To facilitate this unique characteristic, Yuen proposed that Hong Kong should consider how best to improve the CEPA arrangement; how to improve the use of Hong Kong law and Hong Kong dispute resolution services, including arbitration, mediation and other forms of ADR in the Mainland; how to make the best use of the “Early Pilot Measures” ( 先行先試 ) approach in respect of cross-boundary business initiated between Hong Kong and Guangdong; and how Hong Kong’s involvement in Hong Kong as regional hub of legal services “I always tell law students that using the internet for research is very important because they can do many things that could not be done in the past. Yet I think traditional research skills – seeking out the case books and reading every case mentioned in the footnotes – are valuable. Maybe I am a bit conservative, but I think the experience is irreplaceable.” e Future of Hong Kong: A Legal Perspective RimskyYuen, SC 袁國 强 資深大律師 (LLB 1986; PCLL 1987) Secretary for Justice formulating the next national 5-year plan would help meet the aspirations of Hong Kong and make the most of Hong Kong’s advantages in our country’s development. When one of the audience members asked for his legal perspective on Edward Snowden’s case, he answered with a strong, rm attitude: “no matter how complicated, how one may regard this as politically sensitive. Again if I may stress, the overriding consideration - the ultimate consideration - must be the legal regime governing the situation. In fact if you ask me, the more controversial the case may be, the more political the case one may think of, the more important it is to act in full accordance with the law. If we respect, if we truly respect the rule of law, then this is the way to do it. Otherwise it would not be conducive to the reputation of Hong Kong as a place that upholds the rule of law.” At the end of the speech, he advised and encouraged Hong Kong people to treasure the freedom in our diversi ed society. I only adopt one yardstick, the law. If the law is broken, appropriate actions have to be taken. Hong Kong is the only common law jurisdiction within the entire China, and indeed the entire Greater China region. Our rule of law, our independent judiciary, as well as our strong legal profession with the ability to provide top quality legal services, are well-recognised by the international community.