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The Legal System

resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region. The hub comprises the former French Mission. Building (FMB), the former Central Government Offices (CGO) and part of Two Exchange Square. The FMB will be the centre for international law where local, regional and international bodies can set up offices for fast and effective exchanges. Two Exchange Square, will be the centre for international dispute resolution. The department occupies part of the former CGO, while part serves as the centre for local and regional legal and dispute resolution bodies.

Grooming Legal Talent

The department supports the grooming of local legal talent by offering internships and placements and by engaging less experienced lawyers to undertake court work.

The department launched an enhanced Understudy Programme in June for young lawyers with less than five years' post call/admission experience to take up the department's civil and prosecution work. Separately, the department launched a pilot scheme on 29 June to facilitate eligible non-Hong Kong residents to participate in arbitral proceedings in Hong Kong on a short-term basis as visitors.

The department also reached agreement with the Hague Academy of International Law to organise regular courses on international law in Hong Kong, together with the Asian Academy of International Law, to provide high-quality training for legal professionals in Hong Kong and neighbouring regions.

The department signed a Memorandum of Understanding with HCCH in December to provide secondment opportunities for Hong Kong legal professionals.

LawTech Development

As initiated by the department, the LawTech Fund was established in 2020 to assist the legal profession to upgrade information technology systems and provide training, and the COVID-19 Online Dispute Resolution Scheme, operated by eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre Limited, was launched in June.

Pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the department and UNCITRAL, a project office for collaboration was established on 2 November to work on the greater use of technology in international trade, including online dispute resolution.

The Judiciary

As prescribed in the Basic Law, the HKSAR has been authorised by the NPC to exercise independent judicial power, including the power of final adjudication. It has also been stated in express terms that the HKSAR's courts shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference. Members of the judiciary shall be immune from legal action in the performance of their judicial functions. As reflected in their judicial oath, in exercising their judicial power, judges are constitutionally required to determine and handle cases strictly in accordance with the law and legal principles.

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