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The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Cheung, visited the Department of Justice (DoJ)'s new office premises at Justice Place today (November 9) to learn more about the work of the department and to take the opportunity to meet its staff.
Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Thomas Chow, Mr Cheung first met with the Secretary for Justice, Mr Rimsky Yuen, SC. Mr Cheung then met with the Director of Administration and Development, Mr Cheuk Wing Hing, and the five Law Officers or their Deputies. He was pleased to learn that the DoJ is committed to giving legal advice to other bureaux and departments of the Government, promoting the rule of law and enhancing Hong Kong's status as a regional centre for legal services and dispute resolution.
Mr Cheung started with a tour of the International Law Division and met with staff to better understand their daily work. The division mainly handles requests for legal co-operation between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and other jurisdictions, provides legal advice on public international law to the Government, and represents the Government in negotiating international agreements. There are now over 230 binding bilateral agreements signed between the HKSAR and some 70 countries around the world.
Later, Mr Cheung visited the General Legal Policy Unit and Constitutional Development and Elections Unit of the Legal Policy Division. The General Legal Policy Unit is responsible, within a wide portfolio, for promoting Hong Kong as an international arbitration centre in the Asia-Pacific region while the Constitutional Development and Elections Unit provides legal advice and support on constitutional development and electoral affairs to the relevant bureaux and departments.
During his visit, Mr Cheung toured the legislation team of the Law Drafting Division. The division is responsible for drafting all legislation proposed by the Government and assists in steering the proposed legislation through the legislative process. Briefed by staff, Mr Cheung noted that the division is also responsible for compiling and publishing the consolidated text of Hong Kong's legislation, including the hard copy loose-leaf edition and the online version (i.e. the Bilingual Laws Information System).
Lastly, Mr Cheung visited the Civil Litigation Unit and the Advisory Unit of the Civil Division to learn more about their work. The division represents the Government in all civil claims and disputes involving the Government, and advises various Government bureaux and departments on civil law issues.
Before concluding his visit, Mr Cheung met with staff representatives of various grades at a tea gathering to exchange views on relevant departmental issues. He encouraged DoJ staff to continue their good work in contributing to the rule of law in Hong Kong by offering their high quality, efficient and professional services.
Ends/Monday, November 9, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:22
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