Download Annex VIII - Building an International

ANNEX VIII
Building an International Network for the Bar
1.
With globalization and deregulation of legal practices topping the
agenda of international conferences in recent years, the Bar cannot
afford not to have an international vision. This is particularly so for
those members who practise in, inter alia, areas of international
commerce, securities, investment derivatives, banking and finance,
anti trust, environmental protection and intellectual properties.
2.
Recently, the HKSAR Government talks about promoting Hong
Kong as a regional dispute resolution hub. This stands to reason.
Hong Kong truly practises the Rule of Law in a common law setting.
Both its Judiciary and legal profession are independent of the
Government and trusted by the world over as one of the most highly
qualified and best equipped to handle complicated legal disputes.
Geographically, Hong Kong is also strategically located when most
business and commercial destinations along the Far Eastern Pacific
Rim are within six hours flight from Hong Kong. By reason of Hong
Kong being a signatory to the New York Convention, international
arbitral awards made here are enforceable in almost all major
commercial centres everywhere.
3.
Given the above, the Bar must look to developing a good
international network with legal practitioners and potential users of
barristers’ services in other countries. It is through this network that
more regional cooperation is effected and international referrals take
place. Such a network will assume increasing importance when
Hong Kong does establish itself as a regional hub for dispute
resolution, when expertise of barristers as expert advocates will no
doubt be more frequently engaged.
4.
The Bar Association has always maintained contacts by sending
delegates to participate officially in major events organized by
international and regional lawyers associations. These include
Annual Conferences of the International Bar Association, InterPacific Bar Association, LAWASIA, Presidents of Law Associations,
American Bar Association. We also maintain contacts with the Bar
Council of England and Wales and the Faculty of Advocates of
Scotland. In June 2002, the Bar Association will also be represented
at the Inaugural World Bar Conference in Edinburgh, which brings
together all the eight remaining referral Bars in the world.
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5.
The Hong Kong Bar Association also welcomes visitors from all
over the world. During the years, the Bar has received dignitaries
from the legal fraternity and government officials having carriage of
the legal portfolio in other jurisdictions.
6.
Since 2001, delegates sent by the Hong Kong Bar Association to
these international meetings and conferences have brought with them
a pamphlet entitled “THE HONG KONG BAR” introducing to
lawyers from other jurisdictions the practice of barristers and our
competitive niches.
7.
Barristers will be well advised to participate more in the Bar’s
initiatives in developing and maintaining an international network of
lawyers. Members are consulted on whether there should be
established a Standing Committee specifically tasked to undertake
the work so that such initiatives would be more organized and
effective.
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