The common law in operation in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: the Hong Kong story

Since 1841, the common law system has been Hong Kong’s legal system.  Some regard it as quite remarkable that such a system, with its roots in mediaeval England, Edward the Confessor and Magna Carta, should apply in a small region in the Far East.  It is, however, even more astonishing to learn that this system, since 1997, still prevails in this most modern and financial of cities.  Many interesting questions arise.  Why was this system regarded as appropriate for Hong Kong when the rest of the country operates under a quite different system of law?  And what are the characteristics of the common law system in Hong Kong?  Is it largely the same system as exists in Australia, England and other established common law jurisdictions, or is Hong Kong different?  The speaker will, in the course of addressing these matters, focus on the fundamentals of the common law, for it is always the fundamentals that will define the true nature and efficacy of any legal system.

The Honourable Chief Justice Geoffrey MA Tao-li, GBM

Chief Justice Ma was appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal on 1 September 2010.

Chief Justice Ma was born in Hong Kong in 1956. He studied law and graduated with an LLB from Birmingham University in 1977. After completing the Bar Finals in 1978, he was called to the English Bar (Gray’s Inn) in 1978, the Hong Kong Bar in 1980, the Bar of the State of Victoria in Australia in 1983 and the Bar of Singapore in 1990. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1993. He became an Honorary Bencher of Gray’s Inn in 2004. In 2011, he was admitted to the degree of Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) by the University of Birmingham. In 2012, he became an Honorary Fellow of Harris Manchester College, Oxford.  In 2016, he became an Honorary Bencher of the Middle Temple and was admitted to the degree of Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) by the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Chief Justice Ma was appointed a Recorder of the Court of First Instance from 2000 to 2001 before his appointment as a Judge of the Court of First Instance in 2001. He was appointed a Justice of Appeal in 2002, and became Chief Judge of the High Court in 2003. Before joining the Judiciary, Chief Justice Ma was in private practice in Hong Kong and in Singapore.

Chief Justice Ma is a Patron of the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law; he is also a Patron of the International Advocacy Training Council.

Chief Justice Ma was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in June 2012.

“The common law in operation in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: the Hong Kong story” presented by the Honourable Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma, Chief Justice of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal.

23 May 2018 Melbourne Law School.

 

Annual celebrations for the Hong Kong Government with the HKTDC for the Year of the Dog Chinese New Year celebrations at the RACV club Melbourne with Helen Sawczak National CEO Australian China Business Council & Ms. Bonnie Shek- Head of Australia & New Zealand – Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

IMPEX was proud to have participated in the Australian trade and investment delegation at the Asian Financial Forum held in Hong Kong on the 15/16 January 2018.

The Asian Financial Forum (AFF) brings together some of the most influential members of the global financial and business community to discuss developments and trends in the dynamic markets of Asia. The AFF attracts through invitation-only,  over 100 internationally respected leaders in government, financial and business sectors to gather for groundbreaking discussions about opportunities and challenges facing Asia.The tenth AFF attracted more than 2,900 participants from 50 countries and regions, about 85% of them were CEOs and senior decision makers. More than 440 journalists and media representatives attended the forum.

The AFF 2018 was kicked off with opening remarks from The Hon Carrie Lam, GBM, GBS- The Chief Executive, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.

For an overview to the session summaries (click here).

Inspiring to hear from our own Minister for Revenue and Financial Services, Australia- The Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP

To hear the Minister Kelly O’Dwyer’s address (click here for speech).

IMPEX was also pleased to have again represented several Australian and International clients in the Deal Flow Matching sessions (click here for details).

AFF Deal Flow is a unique deal-sourcing and matchmaking session connecting sources of funds with sources of deals.

This platform enables participants to meet with potential business partners from around the world, based on their shared areas of interest. This is a vital platform providing investment opportunities for Chinese investors who are seeking overseas opportunities and Chinese project owners who are seeking overseas investors. More than 1,800 companies took part in the past editions, including investment project owners, private equity firms, corporate investors, high net-worth individuals and senior professionals from intermediaries and professional services providers.

IMPEX was delighted to attend with 150 other guests, an exclusive Enterprise Victoria dinner with guest speakers Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison (now Prime Minister) and Victorian Opposition Leader Mathew Guy.

Enterprise Victoria is the Liberal Party’s leading business networking forum.

Enterprise Victoria provides the opportunity for senior Liberals to consult regularly with business leaders, as well as practical support for the election of Liberal governments at Federal and State levels.

October 2017.

IMPEX arranged a tour of Swinburn University’s Centre of Advanced Manufacturing Technology by the Victorian Chief Scientist Dr. Amanda Caples and the Minister of State Gavin Jennings. The tour was in aid of understanding one of IMPEX’s exciting client initiatives in the nanotechnology field. The company EDEN BDM LTD is leading the world in renewable energy solutions as a premium nanomaterials and energy technology innovator and manufacturer.

Over $60M has been spent on research, development and prototyping to create a low-cost energy storage solution that will disrupt the existing solar and energy storage products market.

Its revolutionary integrated thin film solar generation, with graphene-based supercapacitor energy storage, is a world first.

Next generation EDEN thin film technology enables an economical mass transition to completely off grid energy systems and electric vehicle mobility for both developed and developing countries. The resulting renewable energy solutions provide alternatives to current conventional photovoltaic solar panels and lithium ion battery storage.

The implications of EDEN’s technology is far reaching – from affordable, completely ‘off the grid’ home energy solutions; through to widespread development and adoption of low-cost electric mobility and transport. Both are imminent within the next 3 – 5 years.

IMPEX Managing Director Joseph Buccheri joined the board of EDEN BDM LTD. for the 2018/19 year to assist with the company’s rapid growth trajectory to commercialisation.

October 2017

IMPEX was pleased to facilitate meetings with Tasmanian Government officials to open dialogue with how the State can access the opportunities for trade and investment with Hong Kong & China. Our meetings canvassed a wide array of topics including the negotiations underway for a HK Australia Free Trade Agreement and how Tasmanian government and business might capitalise on these initiatives through channels including the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

The Hon. Michael Ferguson MP is the Minister for Health, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Minister for Science and Technology, Leader of the House.

Michael served in the Federal Howard Government as the Member for Bass between 2004-2007, achieving a number of things for the community including funding for local services, record low unemployment in Bass and infrastructure projects including the $60 million East Tamar Highway upgrade.

Elected to State Parliament as the Liberal Member for Bass in 2010, Michael achieved the highest support in Bass in that election. Despite this, Michael has never taken votes for granted and continues to work every day for an even stronger Northern Tasmania.

October 2017.

IMPEX was proud to attend as a guest to the official signing ceremony for joint bi-lateral trade and investment between Jilin City China and the Victorian Government at Parliament House in Melbourne.

Jilin City, located in Jilin province, is a strategic location in shaping many industries in Northeast China, such as automotive manufacturing Ultimately, Jilin City aims to become a new auto industry hub, producing more than 1 million vehicles a year with Australia looking to support through advanced manufacturing technologies and value added material exports.

September 2017.

About Belt and Road Summit

Date	11 September 2017 (Monday)
Venue	Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Organiser	The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Hong Kong Trade Development Council
Theme	From Vision to Action
Introduction	The Belt and Road Summit is an invitation only event that brings together senior government officials, representatives of international institutions, business leaders and industry experts from countries along and beyond the Belt and Road to exchange views on multilateral co-operation and explore new business opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative. This year’s Summit will feature about 40 speakers and the attendance is expected to exceed the inaugural edition (2,400 participants).
Language	English (supported by simultaneous interpretation in Putonghua)

IMPEX was proud to be invited on the official Australian delegation:

Managing Director, Joseph Buccheri was honoured to have participated in the second Alibaba Dream Trip to Alibaba’s Headquarter in Hangzhou on 6-9 August run by ISynergi. IMPEX were the only law firm to have particpated together with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and 12 Australian companies ranging from healthcare, high-tech, coffee and Food and Beverage industries joined the trip and explored export opportunities through Alibaba’s platforms together.

The Alibaba Dream Trip is an intensive training course for senior executives and business owners to understand how Alibaba and e-commerce as the game changer helps SMEs to develop into international trade and step into the China market.

The 4-day-3-night trip consisted of abundant analysis and insights into China market and e-commerce industry, including e-commerce development in China, Alibaba’s organizational culture, B2B and B2C platforms under Alibaba’s ecosystem and case studies. The highlights in the Dream Trip such as communicating with successful e-businessmen enriched and impressed Australian business owners with first-hand knowledge and market intelligence, which provided benchmark and confidence for them to emerge into the Chinese growing e-commerce business by adopting Alibaba platforms.

In addition to the study of e-commerce, attendees were also invited to Alibaba Founder and Executive Chairman Jack Ma’s Private Host House, to visit the many tourism attractions in Hangzhou and to try the local food, which brought more local experience, hospitality and cultural understanding for the Australian attendees to get prepared for China market entry strategies.

Alibaba proverb says: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

 

 

IMPEX was proud to attend a VIP celebration for the 20th Anniversary of the hand over return of Hong Kong to China. In attendance was the Victorian Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings and Federal Minister for Revenue & Financial Services Kelly O’Dwyer MP.