request for service is made pursuant to a Convention. The proposed arrangement with the Guangdong Authorities does not envisage following the prescribed procedure, but is intended to effect informal and practical assistance.
10
As
the status of the provisional agreement, the Law Officer (Special Duties) of the Attorney General's Chambers has advised that although the status of the document is not entirely clear it would be best that it be regarded as an informal agreement between two judicial authorities to co-operate with each other in practical ways. The Secretary of State has not entrusted Hong Kong with any power to negotiate or conclude any international agreement on these matters. It is apparent however that it is regarded by the Chinese side as formal and binding.