Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
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. 1 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. -2-