(中文) 香港立法会于2022年10月26日通过《内地民商事判决 (相互强制执行) 条例草案》(下称「《条例草案》」)。条例草案的通过将进一步落实香港特区政府与最高人民法院于三年前 (即2019年1月18日) 签署的《关于内地与香港特别行政区法院相互认可和执行民商事案件判决的安排》。

在现时的法例框架下，于香港执行内地的判决需要依据《内地判决 (交互强制执行) 条例》(第597章)( 下称「现时《内地判决条例》」)，但现时《内地判决条例》只适用于金钱济助及合约订明专属司法管辖权的民商事案件判决。

相较于现时《内地判决条例》，《条例草案》不仅排除了专属司法管辖权的要求，扩大了案件及判决类型的涵盖范围 (包括金钱及非金钱的判项，亦包括内地的判决、裁定、支付令及调解书等)，更进一步订立了两套强制执行机制 (分别为在香港认可和强制执行内地的民商事判决 (南向 (Southbound))，以及在内地认可和强制执行香港的民商事判决 (北向 (Northbound)))，以便利两地当事人。这无疑令香港成为首个与内地就相互认可和强制执行判决建立范围如此广泛安排的司法管辖区，也再次确认了香港作为国际法律和争议解决服务区域中心的地位。

随着内地与香港商业往来的越发紧密及频繁，更全面及便利的两地相互认可及执行判决安排制度是至关重要的。《条例草案》通过后，虽然仍需要高等法院首席法官订立《规则》，以及由最高人民法院拟备「司法解释」方能在内地同步实施，但我们相信在不久后会有越来越多的两地判决可以通过《条例草案》下的机制得到认可和执行，从而减少当事人在两地重新提起相同争议的必要性，简化司法程序，降低诉讼成本，进一步保护内港两地当事人的合法权利和利益。

Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (“HKIAC”) successfully held the 11th Hong Kong Arbitration Week from 24 to 28 October 2022. We are honored to sponsor and support the Hong Kong Arbitration Week again and attended the ADR in Asia Conference (“ADR Conference”) as an Exhibitor on 26 October. The Arbitration Week received strong support from 22 well-known Hong Kong and international institutions, including the Asian International Arbitration Center (AIAC), the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration (ICC), the Hong Kong Department of Justice and the Law Society of Hong Kong.

From the left: our Senior Associate Mr. Calvin Huang, Consultant Ms. Jennifer Li, Partner and Head of Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department Ms. Heidi Chui, Senior Associate Mr. Kyle Lo, Paralegal Ms. Cathy Yang, Marketing and Communications Executive Ms. Julia Yeung

As the flagship event of Hong Kong Arbitration Week, this year’s ADR Conference was conducted in a hybrid format. Under the theme “The Future is Here”, experts from the international arbitration field were invited to discuss Arbitration and Alternative Fees, Cryptocurrency Disputes, and the Impact of ESG on International Arbitration. The ADR Conference invited HKIAC’s Secretary Dr. Mariel Dimsey to deliver the opening remarks, The Right Honourable Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury GBS, Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as the Keynote Speaker, and HKIAC’s Co-Chair Mr. David W. Rivkin to deliver the closing remarks.

About HKIAC and Hong Kong Arbitration Week

The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) was established in 1985 by a group of leading businesspeople and professionals to meet the growing need for dispute resolution services in Asia. Over the past 30 years, HKIAC has become one of the world’s leading dispute resolution organizations, specializing in arbitration, mediation, adjudication and domain name dispute resolution.

Hong Kong Arbitration Week is a major annual event organized by HKIAC. It aims to provide a leading exchange platform in international arbitration to develop and promote Asia Arbitration through conferences, luncheons and evening receptions.

HKIAC’s Secretary Dr. Mariel Dimsey delivered the opening remarks

The Right Honourable Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delivered the Keynote remarks

HKIAC’s Co-Chair Mr. David W. Rivkin delivered the closing remarks

Please contact our Partner Ms. Heidi Chui for further information about this event.