ENG-2019 — Page 60

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The Legal System

The International Law Division provides legal advice on public international law to the government, negotiates international agreements or provides legal advisers for such negotiations, and handles requests for legal cooperation between the HKSAR and other jurisdictions.

The Law Drafting Division is responsible for drafting all legislation proposed by the government, vetting all bills and subsidiary legislation put forward by non-governmental bodies, and compiling and publishing laws.

The Legal Policy Division advises government departments and bureaus on whether proposed legislation, or a particular policy, is consistent with the Basic Law, international human rights. standards, and established principles underlying the legal system. It also advises on the law in the Mainland and plays an active part in law reform.

To better cope with the challenges and harness the additional opportunities offered by the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development, the department established the Inclusive Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Office in 2019 to provide support to the Secretary for Justice in planning and taking forward initiatives and programmes which contribute to the enhancement of Hong Kong's role as an ideal hub for deal making and a leading centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. The office also promotes the rule of law and inclusive development by facilitating access to justice.

In 2019, the department implemented or completed certain measures in relation to the following major policy initiatives.

Major Policy Initiatives

Raising HKSAR's International Profile

The department significantly strengthened its ties with other jurisdictions and international organisations. Cooperation arrangements were concluded with Japan, Korea and Thailand to enhance bilateral cooperation.

The department also concluded a Memorandum of Understanding with the UN for legal cooperation with the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), including to co- organise the UNCITRAL Asia Pacific Judicial Summit biennially and to explore other avenues of cooperation.

With the support of the Central People's Government, the department has started exploring with the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organisation the establishment of a regional arbitration centre in Hong Kong and the hosting of its annual meeting in Hong Kong. The department is also exploring the hosting of important intergovernmental meetings in Hong Kong, such as inter-sessional meetings of UNCITRAL, to raise the HKSAR's international profile.

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