32nd LAWASIA Conference Opens Today in Hong Kong Legal Elites from across the World Exchange Cross-jurisdictional Knowledge and Insight

6 November 2019
(for immediate release)

The 32^nd LAWASIA Conference, jointly organised by The Law Society of Hong Kong and LAWASIA, opened today in Hong Kong and will run from 6 to 8 November 2019. The annual conference attracted over 600 legal practitioners from 30 jurisdictions to facilitate the discussion of regional developments in law.

The Opening Ceremony was held in the JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong on 6 November 2019, with the presence of distinguished guests. The officiating guests of honour were The Hon Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, GBM, GBS, JP, Acting Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ("HKSAR"); The Hon Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, GBM, Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal of the HKSAR; and The Hon Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, GBS, SC, JP, Secretary for Justice of the Government of the HKSAR.

Ms. Melissa Pang, President of The Law Society of Hong Kong, delivered the opening remarks to welcome all participating guests. "The LAWASIA Conference was held in Hong Kong when Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre was first opened in 1989, then it was back to Hong Kong in 2007. Now it is here again. The Law Society of Hong Kong and LAWASIA have been marching on the path of justice for years and we are never alone because of you."

This year, as a vibrant and captivating city where tradition meets innovation, Hong Kong is chosen to be the host city of the 32^nd LAWASIA Conference. Its iconic character of thriving on hard work in collaboration amongst citizens perfectly fits in with this year's theme of "Harmonisation through Synergy".

Mr. Christopher Leong, President of LAWASIA, said in his welcoming speech, "The Conference offers a unique opportunity to not only examine the increasingly complex challenges that confront today's lawyers, but also celebrate the collective achievements of the regional legal profession. Alongside this, the Conference provides an exceptional opportunity for networking, fostering current relationships as well as developing new ones."

Guided by LAWASIA's key objectives, the annual conference promotes the administration of justice, furthers the sharing of legal knowledge within the region as well as fosters international understanding and goodwill. Various topics of common interest to countries worldwide are covered in three consecutive days, including alternative dispute resolution, Belt and Road Initiative, cross-border issues and investment, technology and data protection, intellectual property, human rights, sports law and in-house lawyers.

One of the event highlights is the Welcome Reception & LAWASIA Cup at the Happy Valley Racecourse tonight. It will be the first time in the history of the LAWASIA Conference that there is a horse race entitled "LAWASIA Cup". Upon a creation of unique memories, participants will be able to indulge their night with gourmet food and the beautiful view of Hong Kong.

Mr. Christopher Leong added, "On behalf of LAWASIA and The Law Society of Hong Kong, we express gratitude to all the Conference participants. We once again welcome you to Hong Kong SAR and hope that this year's Conference will challenge and inspire you to greater heights."

For details of the 32^nd LAWASIA Conference, please visit https://lawasia2019.com/ .

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About the Law Society of Hong Kong
The Law Society of Hong Kong is the professional body of solicitors in Hong Kong vested with statutory powers to regulate the professional conduct of solicitors, trainee solicitors and foreign lawyers. It establishes and promotes good standards of practice and ensures their compliance by practitioners. The Law Society also offers its views from time to time on legal issues that are of public concern and promotes Hong Kong legal services locally and internationally. For more information, please visit: www.hklawsoc.org.hk

About LAWASIA
LAWASIA is a regional association of lawyers, judges, jurists and legal organisations, which advocates for the interests and concerns of the Asia Pacific legal profession. As the representative of lawyers and peak legal organisations from over 40 jurisdictions, it holds a number of legal conferences, seminars and meetings throughout the year as a means of supporting professional development, regional networking and the exchange of legal knowledge and insight.

About LAWASIA Conference
LAWASIA Conference is LAWAISA's annual flagship event and the highlight of professional events program. The conference is a platform for the convergence of bar leaders, jurists, professional organisations and individual lawyers from across the Asia Pacific, and is designed to facilitate the discussion of regional developments in law, including such issues as judicial practice, legal education, cross-border business and investment law and cross-border dispute resolution.

The 32^nd LAWASIA Conference, under the theme of "Harmonisation through Synergy", opened today in Hong Kong. (Photo from the left) Ms. Melissa Pang, MH, JP, President of The Law Society of Hong Kong; The Hon Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, GBM, Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal of the HKSAR; The Hon Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, GBM, GBS, JP, Acting Chief Executive of the HKSAR; The Hon Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, GBS, SC, JP, Secretary for Justice of the Government of the HKSAR; and Mr. Christopher Leong, President of LAWASIA.

Jointly organised by The Law Society of Hong Kong and LAWASIA, the 32^nd LAWASIA Conference will run from 6 to 8 November 2019. The annual conference attracts over 600 legal practitioners from 30 jurisdictions to facilitate the discussion of regional developments in law.