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The Legal System
negotiations, and handles requests for legal cooperation between the HKSAR and other jurisdictions.
The Law Drafting Division drafts all legislation proposed by the government, vets the form of draft legislation proposed by non-governmental bodies, and updates the consolidated legislation at the Hong Kong e-Legislation website.
The National Security Prosecutions Division, established in accordance with The Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is responsible for the prosecution of offences endangering national security and other related legal work.
The Prosecutions Division prosecutes trials and appeals on behalf of the HKSAR, and provides legal advice to law enforcement agencies upon request. By virtue of Article 63 of the Basic Law, the department controls all criminal prosecutions, free from interference. In conducting prosecution work, the division's prosecutors must make an objective and professional assessment of the available evidence and applicable law, and act in accordance with the Prosecution Code.
The Inclusive Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Office was established under the Secretary for Justice's Office in 2019. Its work includes planning and taking forward initiatives to strengthen Hong Kong as an ideal hub for deal-making and dispute resolution, as well as promoting the rule of law and inclusive development in the Asia Pacific region and beyond.
In 2020, the department saw some developments and achievements under the following policy objectives.
Promotion of Rule of Law and Basic Law Education
Vision 2030 for Rule of Law
The department's 'Vision 2030 for Rule of Law' initiative was officially launched during Hong Kong Legal Week in November. It seeks to promote understanding and recognition of the rule of law and contribute to the sustainable development of inclusive and rule-based societies at both the local and international levels.
Promotion of Hong Kong's Legal and Dispute Resolution Services by Enhancing Global, Regional and Mainland-Hong Kong Cooperation
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA)
Under an arrangement for legal exchange and mutual learning with the High People's Court of Guangdong Province, the department co-organised and participated in various seminars with judges, legal practitioners and officials from the Mainland and Hong Kong.
From June, Hong Kong law firms setting up partnership associations with Mainland firms in the Mainland are no longer required to provide a minimum 30 per cent of the capital, and a Hong Kong practitioner can be retained as a legal consultant by up to three Mainland firms. simultaneously.
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