Secretary for Justic Rimsky Yuen conferred appointment letters to Hong Kong mediators at a ceremony to open the Court-Connected Mediation Centre of the Shenzhen Qianhai Co-operation Zone People's Court today.
Mr Yuen said at the ceremony the establishment of the mediation centre will enhance the quality and efficiency of mediation services in Hong Kong and Shenzhen in cases involving Hong Kong parties.
It will also help both places accumulate more experience in improving the handling of cross-boundary commercial mediation.
Mr Yuen said under the 13-5 Plan, the Central Government will support Hong Kong's role as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific.
It will also support Hong Kong in seeking further co-operation with coastal provinces and cities, and the joint exploration of the Belt & Road market, he said.
Responsible for mediation before and during litigation, the centre enables Hong Kong mediators to make neutral third party assessment for cases involving Hong Kong parties.
They can mediate according to applicable Hong Kong laws and help the parties concerned resolve disputes through mediation or other appropriate means.
Mr Yuen also attended the first Hong Kong-related commercial mediation forum in Qianhai after the ceremony.
