The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, leading his about 30-strong delegation comprising representatives from the Law Society of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Bar Association, the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Invest Hong Kong and related sectors, concluded his visit to the Middle East in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), today (May 23, Dubai time). The visit to the Middle East was conducted with the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
The delegation first had a meeting with the Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, this morning to discuss and explore business opportunities in both places and related matters.
It was followed by a visit to the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts. The DIFC is an onshore financial centre in the UAE offering an independent legal and regulatory framework as well as a common law system. Operated as an independent English language common-law judiciary, the DIFC Courts has jurisdiction to hear civil and commercial disputes both regionally and internationally. During the visit, the President of the Law Society of Hong Kong, Mr Chan Chak-ming, and the Director of the DIFC Courts, Mr Justice Omar Al Mheiri, signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Mr Lam said he was pleased to note that both sides would strengthen their co-operation to promote exchanges and the development of the legal professional services between Hong Kong and Dubai.
In the afternoon, Mr Lam and his delegation visited Dubai International Arbitration Centre to meet with its Chairman of the Board, Dr Tariq Humaid Al Tayer, to exchange views and share their experiences on the provision of a full spectrum of alternative dispute resolution services.
For the last stop in Dubai, Mr Lam and the delegation had a meeting with the President and CEO of the Dubai Chambers, Mr Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, to learn more about local businesses and their needs for multi-jurisdictional legal services, highlighting Hong Kong's robust legal system and the its strengths in international legal and dispute resolution services.
Mr Lam will leave Dubai in the evening, and will arrive in Hong Kong tomorrow morning (May 24, Hong Kong time).
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