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2026
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam and International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) Secretary-General Prof Ignacio Tirado today signed a memorandum to establish the UNIDROIT Liaison Office for the Asia-Pacific Region in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. The agreement, signed during a virtual ceremony, marks the first time in UNIDROIT’s 100-year history that the organisation has established a regional presence outside its headquarters in Rome. Mr Lam noted that Hong Kong’s robust common law system and world-class legal infrastructure make the city an ideal location for UNIDROIT’s first regional presence. He added that signing the memorandum is a key step in establishing the liaison office, with preparatory work now proceeding at full speed. The liaison office is expected to open in November, and the Department of Justice will co-organise the Asia-Pacific International Private Law Summit and the Centenary Regional Event with UNIDROIT during Hong Kong Legal Week 2026. Mr Lam said these events will further strengthen the collaborative relationship between the department and the international organisation.
The Department of Justice today held the Rule of Law Education (ROLE) Ambassador award ceremony and sharing session under the ROLE Stars Train-the-Leaders (TTL) Programme, conferring the title of ROLE Ambassador to 40 trainees. Delivering his opening remarks, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said that today marked an important milestone of the TTL Programme, as the 40 ambassadors are the first batch of trainees who completed all the training courses under the TTL Programme since it was launched in November 2023. Mr Lam emphasised that the key to maintaining Hong Kong’s sound rule of law environment is to cultivate public understanding of the principles of the rule of law and to enhance the public’s basic understanding of the city’s common law system. He encouraged the ambassadors to become dedicated advocates for promoting the rule of law in Hong Kong by passing on the knowledge and experience they gained from the TTL Programme in ways that are appropriate to their respective capacities and positions. At the event, four trainees shared their thoughts and experience of becoming ROLE Ambassadors. They said the courses had deepened their knowledge of the rule of law and boosted their confidence in disseminating such messages. They added that they had concrete plans to promote correct information about the rule of law and cultivate the spirit of respecting the rule of law in schools and the community. Mr Lam, Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan, Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, Chairperson of SideBySide Executive Committee Poon Siu-tung and Under Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Clarence Leung presented the certificates and badges of ROLE Ambassadors to commend the trainees’ completion of all the courses under the TTL Programme and their efforts in promoting the rule of law in the community. The qualification of ROLE Ambassador is valid for two years, which aims to encourage ambassadors to continue to participate in the Department of Justice’s rule of law education activities and to actively organise rule of law promotion activities during the period in order to obtain a renewal. As at end-2025, a total of about 380 trainees participated in the TTL Programme, among which 40 have been qualified as the first batch of ROLE Ambassadors under the TTL Programme.
The Government announced today that $6.15 million will be granted to the family of Senior Fireman (Posthumous) Ho Wai-ho under the “Financial Assistance Scheme for Family Members of Those Who Sacrifice Their Lives to Save Others”. The late fireman sacrificed his life on November 26 last year while participating in a search and rescue operation at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun, who chairs the “Committee on Financial Assistance Scheme for Family Members of Those Who Sacrifice Their Lives to Save Others”, paid tribute to Mr Ho, whom he said commanded citizens’ greatest respect, having demonstrated exceptional courage and a high degree of gallantry in striving to save and protect the lives of others. “We deeply mourn the loss of such an excellent and devoted public servant.” The grant represents the Government’s recognition of the highest order of gallantry and selflessness shown by firefighter, Mr Sun added. Set up in 2002, the scheme provides financial aid to family members of those who lose their lives in attempting to save or protect others. The sum approved in each application is worked out based on the age, normal retirement age of the deceased, and prevailing median monthly employment earnings. The minimum and maximum levels are currently set at $6.15 million and $12.3 million, respectively.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam today chaired the first meeting of the Steering Committee tasked with establishing the Inter-Departmental Working Group to Review Legislation to Support Wider Application of AI (artificial intelligence). Mr Lam emphasised that the Government must take the lead in modernising Hong Kong’s laws to create a facilitative and properly controlled legal environment for AI development in the city. He added that a prompt review is necessary to ensure Hong Kong’s legal framework remains up to date. The proposed legal framework is expected to help the city harness AI's benefits while protecting the interests of all affected stakeholders. Mr Lam noted that the Government must take a proactive approach to managing the risks and regulatory requirements arising from AI development. He said it is essential to strike a balance between promoting innovation and mitigating associated risks. Therefore, policy bureaus and departments (B/Ds) should first conduct comprehensive and thorough reviews of existing laws to identify loopholes and deficiencies, and then formulate targeted and practicable solutions that take Hong Kong's actual environment into account, Mr Lam added. Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan, Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung, Acting Secretary for Environment & Ecology Diane Wong, Permanent Secretaries and Under Secretaries of various policy bureaus, as well as heads and representatives of other government departments attended the meeting. The participants at the meeting discussed the purpose of the Working Group and its mode of operation under the superintendence of the Steering Committee. The core members of the Working Group will be drawn from various B/Ds. The role of the Department of Justice (DoJ) is to help each bureau remain focused on conducting a critical review of the areas of law under their policy responsibility. After a preliminary study, the DoJ will co-ordinate different B/Ds during the course of the substantive review by the Working Group. Noting that the establishment of the Working Group would be essential to address issues arising from the rapid development and use of AI, Mr Lam called on all B/Ds, including the Judiciary Administration, the Administration Wing and the Digital Policy Office, to lend their full support. The DoJ’s establishment of the Working Group is one of the key policy initiatives in the Policy Address.
The Court of Appeal today allowed an appeal by Lai Chee-ying in a fraud case, while the Government said the objective fact remains that he exploited public resources for private use. On October 25, 2022, the District Court had convicted Lai Chee-ying of two counts of fraud, and Wong Wai-keung, then a director of administration, of one count of fraud. Following a hearing in January 2025, the appellate court set aside their sentences. In a statement, the Government said it is an indisputable fact that Lai Chee-ying has exploited the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s valuable public resources for over 20 years. The Government noted the Court of Appeal judgement clearly pointed out that Lai Chee-ying's private company, Dico Consultants, occupied and used the premises in the Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate, while Apple Daily Printing breached the leasing instrument terms. The statement added that both the appellate judgment and the trial judge's reasons for verdict revealed the lease clearly stipulated the premises may only be used for publishing and printing business, and must not be occupied by any third party without approval from the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC). The Government said that for more than 20 years, Apple Daily Printing had allowed Dico Consultants to occupy and use the premises to handle the private affairs of Lai Chee-ying and his family without the knowledge of HKSTPC. If further emphasised that while the Court of Appeal considered the breach did not reach the threshold for a criminal fraud conviction in this specific factual context, the objective fact remains that Lai Chee-ying exploited public resources for private use. The Government also pointed out that the Hong Kong courts have always exercised judicial power independently, with all judgments handed down in an open and transparent manner. It added that the District Court conducted the trial impartially. While the defendants lodged an appeal in accordance with the law, the Government noted the Court of Appeal allowed the appeal while providing a detailed explanation of its reasons. Under Hong Kong’s fair and impartial legal system, both the trial court and the Court of Appeal handled the case openly and transparently. The statement noted that Lai Chee-ying is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence following his conviction by the Court of First Instance of the High Court for three national security offences. It emphasised that while the appeal in the fraud case has been allowed, the ruling does not alter the fact that Lai Chee-ying must serve his 20-year sentence for endangering national security. The Government also made it clear that the Department of Justice acts strictly in accordance with the Prosecution Code. It added that prosecution was only instituted because there was sufficient admissible evidence to support a reasonable prospect of conviction and the move was in the public interest. The Department of Justice will study the Court of Appeal's judgment on the fraud case thoroughly to consider lodging an appeal.
Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan today convened the first meeting of the Department of Justice's Expert Committee on Professional Services for Going Global to hear expert views on promoting Hong Kong's legal and other professional services to support Chinese Mainland enterprises in expanding overseas. Mr Cheung said that the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan give explicit support to Hong Kong in better integrating into and serving the overall national development. Enhancing industries with a competitive edge is one of the initiatives of the 2026-27 Budget. On strengthening professional collaboration, it stated that the Hong Kong Professional Services GoGlobal Platform, initiated by the DoJ with the support of the Commerce & Economic Development Bureau (CEDB), aims to facilitate co-ordination among the professional services sectors in supporting Mainland enterprises to go global with Hong Kong as their preferred platform. Mr Cheung added that the expert committee's first meeting being held on the day following the delivery of the Budget was most timely. Noting that the expert committee comprises experts from the legal, financial and accounting sectors from the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong as well as outstanding business and corporate representatives, he anticipated that they would offer insightful advice for the work of the GoGlobal Platform. At the meeting, the expert committee focused on two major areas of work and had an in-depth discussion on ways to enhance the integration of information related to Hong Kong's professional services to facilitate precise connections between Mainland enterprises and Hong Kong's professional services; and ways to enhance the understanding of the specific needs of Mainland enterprises expanding overseas as well as to co-ordinate Hong Kong's professional services to efficiently meet such needs. Mr Cheung stated that connecting and matching Mainland enterprises with Hong Kong's professional services is a common goal of the CEDB's Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global and the GoGlobal Platform. The GoGlobal Platform will serve as a hub that brings together Hong Kong's cross-sector professional services as the main force to support enterprises going global. It will promote and support the professional services sectors, empowering them to better respond to the needs for professional services of Mainland enterprises. As for the GoGlobal Task Force, it will directly engage with Mainland enterprises, serving as the pivotal point of contact for Mainland enterprises using Hong Kong as a launchpad to go global.
The Immigration Department announced today that to further facilitate visitors and enhance clearance efficiency, with effect from tomorrow, the eligibility criteria for the self-service immigration clearance (e-Channel) service for frequent visitors will be relaxed, and the enrolment procedure for the e-Channel service will be simplified. Under the new arrangement, frequent visitors, including those holding valid travel documents and multiple visit visas, who have visited Hong Kong via Hong Kong International Airport two or more times in the past 24 months and who meet the relevant criteria, may enrol for the e-Channel service free of charge. This enables them to perform self-service immigration clearance at all control points in Hong Kong using the e-Channel and enjoy a more convenient and efficient travel experience. Moreover, the enrolment procedure for the e-Channel services has been simplified. When registering at designated enrolment offices, eligible visitors holding valid electronic travel documents are only required to present their valid travel document used for entry, have their photo taken and sign a consent form. Fingerprint collection is no longer required. The enrolment procedure for visitors holding non-electronic travel documents remains unchanged. To perform arrival clearance, a newly enrolled visitor should place their travel document on the document reader of the e-Channel. Upon entering the e-Channel, visitors using electronic travel documents should look at the camera for facial recognition, while those using non-electronic travel documents should place their enrolled finger flat on the fingerprint scanner for fingerprint verification. Click here for details.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan proposed in his 2026-27 Budget today to refine the associated tax regime and institutional framework, nurture talent and leverage the city’s strengths in professional services, with a view to boosting economic development through driving intellectual property (IP) trading and financing. Delivering his speech this morning, Mr Chan said reducing costs will facilitate more relevant trading activities, which would be conducive to the development of knowledge-intensive industries and could reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a regional IP trading centre. He noted that the Government is consulting the trade on tax deduction arrangements for capital expenditure incurred for purchasing IP or the rights to use IP and plans to introduce an amendment bill this year. In addition, the Government has earmarked $28 million to support the Hong Kong Technology & Innovation Support Centre in providing innovation and technology (I&T) enterprises with patent evaluation based on Guobiao, and implementing the two-year Pilot Patent Valuation Support Scheme to assist I&T enterprises for conducting valuation of their patent assets. The Intellectual Property Department, together with the Vocational Training Council, will roll out a two-year pilot programme and establish the Intellectual Property Academy to provide on-the-job training linked to the Qualifications Framework. The Government has earmarked $52 million for the project, which is targeted to commence at the end of this year. Highlighting another industry with a competitive edge, Mr Chan noted that the Department of Justice (DoJ) is preparing for the development of the Hong Kong International Legal Service Building as a new international legal hub landmark, which will be home to the headquarters of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy and international legal and dispute resolution services institutions, etc. The preparatory works will commence this year. The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law will establish its Asia‑Pacific Liaison Office in Hong Kong this year. Mr Chan pointed out that the DoJ will continue attracting international legal and dispute resolution services institutions to establish offices in Hong Kong. To strengthen the promotion of mediation and arbitration services, the Government will strengthen the regulatory framework for accreditation and disciplinary matters of the mediation profession in Hong Kong and take forward the legislative exercise this year.
The Fire Services Department today said it received a total of 35,972 fire calls in 2025, representing a decrease of 4.9% over 2024. Among these were 2,000 damaging building fires, a slight increase of 25 cases over 2024. In all, 96.1% of building fire calls were responded to within the graded response time. Presenting the department's 2025 Year-end Review at a media session today, Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung said the decline of fire calls was mainly attributable to a reduction in false alarms - down 8.3% from 2024. The principal causes of the fires were electrical faults and human negligence, such as careless handling of cigarette ends and candles. With regard to special service calls, a total of 42,485 calls were received during the year, representing an 8% increase year-on-year. Notable incidents included Super Typhoon Ragasa that struck Hong Kong directly in September, during which the department handled over 800 special service calls. In the wake of the No.5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, the department introduced a series of targeted measures to enhance the overall safety standard. First, a dedicated Inspection Team was established to conduct inspections on fire service installations and equipment (FSIs) in buildings undergoing major maintenance works. Second, a round-the-clock Quick Response Team was formed to proactively inspect the operation of the relevant FSI systems immediately at the scene of building fires. Third, alerts to residents during periods of major FSI failure were strengthened. Fourth, publicity, education and training for the public, owners' corporations and property management companies were actively reinforced.
The Correctional Services Department (CSD) said in its annual review today that there were 18,990 admissions to correctional institutions – including convicted individuals, remand prisoners and detainees – in 2025, a 3% increase as against 2024. At a press conference, Commissioner of Correctional Services Wong Kwok-hing said the average daily penal population at correctional institutions increased significantly to 10,315 people in 2025, representing an increase of 8% from 2024. The average daily occupancy rate rose from 85% to 92%. Moreover, the average daily number of remand prisoners hit 4,217, its highest level since 2000 and up from 3,650 in 2024. The commissioner said that in response to the ever-changing penal population, especially the increasing number of remand prisoners, the CSD has deployed part of the capacity of individual correctional institutions to admit such prisoners. He also revealed that the department has commenced the in-situ partial redevelopment of Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre to increase its capacity to admit adult male remand prisoners in the long run. In July, the CSD worked with the Government to amend the Prison Rules, with a view to strengthening the overall effectiveness of its law enforcement mission. It stated that this included incorporating national security safeguards into the legislation, and ensuring that the amended rules better meet the needs of modern correctional management. In 2025, the department continued to address the special rehabilitation needs of persons in custody who were involved in “black-clad violence” and contravened the Hong Kong National Security Law or the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. It launched a number of rehabilitation programmes under Project PATH to help such individuals gain a comprehensive understanding of Chinese traditional culture and an enhanced sense of national identity. Talks were given on the rule of law and safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, and patriotic film screenings and essay competitions were organised. Mr Wong said the department plans to extend Project PATH to involve supervisees after discharge. In addition, from this month, the department has started organising exchange tours on the Mainland for supervisees. Following the establishment of the Hong Kong International Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Academy last month, the department is in discussions with correctional agencies in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) with regard to holding a second GBA Correctional Services Tactical Skills Competition. Furthermore, the department will hold a large-scale seminar to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the its Psychological Services Section this year. On the use of innovation and technology, Mr Wong said the Automatic Drone Patrol & Monitoring System 2.0 will be installed in six maximum security institutions to boost security and operational efficiency. In addition, the department will continue to carry out collaborative studies with the Digital Policy Office to construct AI models, with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of enforcement efforts against inmates' participation in illegal activities. It also plans to install the Smart Visitor Management System at Lo Wu Correctional Institution on a trial basis, in order to reduce waiting times for declared visitors of persons in custody.