HK legal academy trains mainland counsel on sanctions and disputes
Hong Kong's legal training academy began its second course for mainland corporate counsel, focusing on Western sanctions, export controls and arbitration. Over 30 state-owned enterprise lawyers are attending, with experts from the World Bank Group and other institutions. The programme aims to boost
The Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy launched its second practical legal training course on Monday, 12 October, to help mainland corporate leaders navigate overseas regulatory challenges. More than 30 general counsel and senior in-house lawyers from major state-owned enterprises are taking part, selected on the recommendation of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council and its Bureau of Policies, Laws and Regulations.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok spoke at the opening ceremony, thanking central authorities for their support. He said success in foreign markets requires more than regional risk management and compliance, stressing the need for top-tier corporate legal teams that can craft strategies for long-term international growth. Lam added that Hong Kong aims to use its common law system under the "one country, two systems" principle to strengthen its position as a leading international legal and dispute resolution hub. He linked the effort to national development plans and the city's five-year strategies, as well as closer integration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
About 20 practitioners, scholars and representatives from multilateral bodies, including the World Bank Group, are delivering sessions. Faculty have travelled from regions such as Central Asia and the Americas to share practical expertise. The curriculum covers foreign trade restrictions, compliance with United States and European Union export controls, and international investment arbitration.
Participants will also join panel discussions on Latin America and Central Asia, and visit legal institutions and the International Organization for Mediation.
Since the academy was established in November 2024, it has partnered with about 30 international organisations and industry bodies, training more than 5,000 legal professionals. Its programmes cover mainland Chinese law, Hong Kong common law and international arbitration. The institution plans to use Hong Kong's bilingual legal infrastructure and global connections to become a lasting training ground for cross-border legal talent, with a focus on jurisdictions in the Belt and Road Initiative.
