I
11./The
broad
regulation
members of
outline
which
of a
comprehensive Scheme of
emerged and which is supported by all
the Committee does not seek to regulate the activities of other professions: its purpose is to regulate the practice of. law by foreign lawyers and foreign law firms in Hong Kong. The Scheme will apply overseas qualified lawyers and overseas law firms, including those from the U.K.
The Scheme envisages the introduction of arrangements to:-
to all
regulate, on a more formal basis than hitherto, the practice of law in Hong Kong by foreign lawyers and foreign law firms;
regulate associations between
foreign law firms
and local law firms; and
permit foreign law firms to establish Hong Kong law practices.
12. Although
done,
the
much detailed drafting work remains to be Committee considers it is unlikely that the full Scheme will differ substantially from the outline described in this Report.
13. As indicated in the closing section of this Report, the impact of the Scheme on existing arrangements remains
to be considered.
14. In this Report,
the expressions "Hong Kong law firms" and "local law firms" are used interchangeably and refer to partnerships in which all the partners are Hong Kong qualified solicitors. All other firms are "foreign law firms" for the purposes of this Report. The expression "foreign lawyer" refers to any person who is not a Hong Kong solicitor and who practises, or wishes to practise, law in Hong Kong.
5