[Explanation] At the beginning of 2023, Junyao Ho, a Hong Kong "big shape" (Cantonese, referring to a lawyer) who has more than 30 years of experience in lawyer practice, came to Guangzhou to start a new year of practicing in the mainland.
He Junyao told reporters that this is the second time he has gone to work in the mainland since he became the first batch of Hong Kong and Macau lawyers approved to practice in nine mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area last year.
On the 29th floor of Guangzhou Chow Tai Fook Financial Center, He Junyao's office is clean and tidy. On the desk is a sign of "Chief Consultant for Legal Affairs in the Greater Bay Area", which is very eye-catching under the sunlight.
[Concurrent] Hong Kong lawyer Junyao Ho
It is a great honor to come to Guangxin Junda to study with colleagues. I just got my certificate on July 5 (2021) and in August (early), I will come to perform my duties. In just 4 months, I would like to thank Guangxin Junda. The opportunity Xinjunda personally gave me was that I participated in 4 appeal cases within 4 months.
[Explanation] Talking about the feelings of practicing in the Mainland in the past six months, He Junyao talked about the four words "first try first" many times.
He Junyao highly appreciates the flexible way of handling cases in the Mainland. In the first case he represented in the Mainland, he felt the convenience and efficiency of online court proceedings.
[Concurrent] Hong Kong lawyer Junyao Ho
Video court hearings are the best. Of course, Hong Kong is a small place. It is very convenient for you to watch video court hearings in the Mainland. The case in Suzhou is Guangzhou. For example, if the witnesses are all outside, what is the reason? Human, bouncy, and actually good.
[Explanation] Since opening a law firm in Hong Kong in 1988, He Junyao has served as the president of the Hong Kong Law Society, and has continuously promoted the exchange of legal talents between the Mainland and Hong Kong.
Today, He Junyao is 61 years old, but he is still full of energy.
[Concurrent] Hong Kong lawyer Junyao Ho
I will do my duty well, do my personal duty well, do my best, and do a good job of contributing to the development of this industry based on this foundation.
Then I have to communicate with the mainland. I don't travel too far, but also from near to far.
[Explanation] On the day of the reporter's interview, He Junyao also participated in the "Guidelines for the Connection of Judicial Rules for Commercial Disputes Involving Hong Kong and Macau" seminar, shared his practice experience with young lawyers from Hong Kong and Macau, and encouraged young lawyers from Hong Kong and Macau to practice in the Mainland.
[Concurrent] Hong Kong lawyer Junyao Ho
Another point, let me give advice to my fellow lawyers in Hong Kong. Don’t worry that when you come to the mainland, you will feel that your connections and geography (human relationships) are relatively unfamiliar. When you come, you will feel as if you are at home.
[Explanation] According to the data provided by the Guangdong Provincial Department of Justice on January 9, as of the end of 2022, a total of 16 Guangdong-Hong Kong (Macao) partnership law firms have been established in Guangdong, and 90 Hong Kong and Macau lawyers have been stationed and hired; 205 A lawyer from Hong Kong and Macau has obtained the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Lawyer's Practice Certificate after passing the examination.
(Reported by Fang Weibin, Wei Jeff, Leng Jingfei from Guangdong)
Responsible editor: [Liu Pai]