This month (July 2026) has been a productive month for
HKMAAL, marked by meaningful developments that strengthen our institutional
partnerships and reinforce our commitment to high professional standards in
mediation.
Admission of the
Hong Kong Family Welfare Society
On 7 July
2026, the HKMAAL Council resolved to approve the admission of the Hong Kong
Family Welfare Society ("HKFWS”) as HKMAAL’s 12th Member Organisation.
HKFWS is a well‑established social welfare organisation providing family‑focused
services in Hong Kong. Its admission strengthens HKMAAL’s engagement with the
family mediation sector. I am sure that HKFWS will offer valuable insights into
evolving community expectations and training needs.
I had the
privilege of attending the "25 Years and Beyond”: HKFWS Mediation Service
Accreditation Ceremony on 11 July 2026 as one of the guests of honour and witnessing
HKFWS’s sustained contribution to the development of mediation all through the
years.
Enhancing the
promotion of the updated Hong Kong Mediation Code
The promotion
for the updated Hong Kong Mediation Code (the "Code”) and for its wider
adoption among mediators and parties to mediation remains central to HKMAAL’s
mission. On 7 July 2026, HKMAAL co‑organised with the Financial Dispute
Resolution Centre (FDRC) a seminar entitled "Update on the Hong Kong Mediation
Code”. During the seminar, I shared key updates of the Code with more than 60
practitioners. On 18 July 2026, I spoke at a conference hosted by the Asia
Pacific International Arbitration Chamber – Hong Kong Arbitration Centre,
addressing the Code’s role in supporting cross‑border commercial mediation in the
Greater Bay Area.
Proposed
statutory authority for HKMAAL to appoint mediators
HKMAAL
supports the proposed amendments to the Hong Kong Mediation Ordinance (Cap.
620) to confer upon HKMAAL the statutory power to appoint mediators where
parties are unable to agree on a choice. On 14 July 2026, Ms. Queenie Lau SC
(in the capacity of HKMAAL Council Member and the Chairperson of HKMAAL
Appointments Committee) represented HKMAAL at the meeting of the Legislative
Council’s Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services (the "Panel”).
I am grateful to Ms. Lau SC for her representation. We have noted the Panel’s comments and will
continue to work closely with our stakeholders.
"Mediation Practice 101” (Pupils
& General ALE Programme) of the Hong Kong Bar Association
On the afternoon of 28
July 2026, Ms. Queenie Lau SC and I delivered a talk entitled "Mediation
Practice 101” to practising barristers and pupil barristers. During the
session, I had the opportunity to share my humble mediation experiences with
the participants and talk about the works of HKMAAL and its accreditation
regime.
I am grateful to the Hong
Kong Bar Association ("HKBA”) for the kind invitation, and to Mr Wong Ka‑Chun,
Director of Advanced Legal Education of HKBA, for his excellent arrangements.
Building Hong Kong’s
dispute resolution landscape
On 29 July 2026, I
attended the 2026 Policy Address and Hong Kong’s Five‑Year Plan Joint
Consultation Session hosted by the Department of Justice ("DoJ”). HKMAAL,
as always, is ready to share its thoughts with the DoJ and other stakeholders
with a view to enhancing the development of mediation in the region.
Gathering and exchange
session with Mediators
Going forward, HKMAAL will organise a series of "Tuesday
with Mediators” gatherings and the inaugural gathering will be held on
Tuesday, 1 September 2026, from 6:00pm to 7:00pm at HKMAAL’s premises. Such
gatherings are meant to provide an informal channel for HKMAAL Accredited
Mediators to share their views and feedback to HKMAAL. If you are interested in
joining us, please contact the HKMAAL Secretariat (Tel: 2311 1428; Email: info@hkmaal.org.hk). I look forward to seeing you on 1 September
2026.
TK Iu
Chairman
Hong Kong Mediation Accreditation Association Limited
(Click HERE to view the previous editions of the "Chairman's Message")
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