China News Service, Hong Kong, January 29 (Reporter Dai Menglan) The Supreme People's Court and the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced in Hong Kong on the 29th, the "Arrangement on the Mutual Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Cases between the Mainland and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Courts" (referred to as "Arrangement") officially came into effect in both places on that day.
A seminar on "New Mechanism for Mutual Recognition and Enforcement of Civil and Commercial Judgments between the Mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" was held in Hong Kong that day. Yang Wanming, Vice President of the Supreme People's Court, attended and delivered a speech. He said that the mainland and Hong Kong have signed 9 judicial assistance arrangements, basically achieving full coverage of judicial assistance in civil and commercial fields. Under the new mechanism, more than 90% of judgments in civil and commercial cases between the Mainland and Hong Kong can be mutually recognized and enforced, reducing the burden of repeated litigation for the parties involved.
Yang Wanming expressed his hope that the legal circles in the two places will take the new mechanism as a new starting point, continue to promote the convergence of rules, enhance the sense of gain of the people of the two places under the new mechanism, fully demonstrate the institutional advantages of "one country, two systems", and pave the way for the integrated development of judicial systems of different legal systems. Provide more Hong Kong experience and Chinese experience.
Lam Ting-kwok, Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong SAR Government, said in his speech that under the "one country, two systems" policy, Hong Kong, as the only jurisdiction in the country that implements common law, has unique advantages. It is very important to maintain a clear distinction between the legal systems of Hong Kong and the Mainland, but it is even more necessary to establish links between the legal systems of the two places to better leverage the advantages of Hong Kong's common law system and serve the overall interests of the country. Once the arrangement comes into effect, it will facilitate people in both places and enhance people's livelihood and well-being. It will also enhance Hong Kong's status as an international legal and dispute resolution service center.
The Supreme People's Court and the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government signed the "Arrangement on the Mutual Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Cases between the Mainland and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Courts" in Beijing on January 18, 2019. There are 31 arrangements in total, covering the scope and content of mutual recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial cases between the two places, the procedures and methods for applying for recognition and enforcement, review of the jurisdiction of the original court, circumstances in which recognition and enforcement will not be granted, and relief channels etc. have been stipulated. (over)