The Department of Justice today held its biennial "Mediate First" Pledge Event to encourage the community to use mediation for dispute resolution, with around 900 participants from different sectors taking part in the activity.

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said in the opening remarks that mediation is the future of dispute resolution, adding that Hong Kong has a mature development in the field of mediation.

He emphasised that the city will continue to promote mediation in dispute resolution and connect local, regional and global parties, fully demonstrating its vibrancy and charm as the Capital of Mediation.

A forum was held as the first part of the event, followed by a panel discussion exploring the role of the Judiciary in promoting mediation. Family mediators and mediation institutions from different sectors shared their insights and discussed with stakeholders the direction in promoting family mediation in the future.

The afternoon session began with another panel discussion, highlighting the collective efforts of the Government and stakeholders on ways to promote and deepen the mediation culture.

Additionally, students who participated in the peer mediation training spoke on the use of mediation to resolve peer disputes and the benefits it brought.

The event concluded with Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan delivering closing remarks.

Fifty-two pledgees were presented awards in recognition of their achievements in promoting and adopting mediation in the course of their business operations. More than 1,000 organisations and individuals have signed the pledge since its launch in 2009.