Latest news with #PaulLam
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong property managers to receive mediation training in new pilot scheme
Mediation training will be offered to property managers in Hong Kong as part of a government pilot scheme, launching next month, to help them better address water seepage complaints from tenants. Some 120 senior property management staff from around 90 private housing estates will be selected to join the pilot programme. Six training sessions will be conducted from July until the third quarter of next year, with each session containing about 20 participants, a Legislative Council panel heard on Monday. The city's justice secretary, Paul Lam Ting-kwok, said that the government aimed to cultivate a 'mediation culture' within society. 'Mediation is a flexible, constructive, time- and cost-effective approach in resolving disputes,' he said. 'We believe that a better understanding of mediation in the community can help build a harmonious society as it fosters a culture that embraces mutual respect, harmony, and inclusiveness.'
RTHK
3 days ago
- Politics
- RTHK
Most countries prefer mediation to settle disputes: SJ
Most countries prefer mediation to settle disputes: SJ Paul Lam has stressed that non-member states can also use the services provided by the International Organization for Mediation. Photo: RTHK Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) has the potential to show the world that disputes can be solved by "equal and peaceful means". Speaking days after the founding of the IOMed in the SAR last Friday, Lam stressed that there is always an urgency for mediation on a global level. For example, he noted that two years ago, Iran and the United Arab Emirates resumed diplomatic relations through the help of Chinese mediation. "I think there's major room for mediation. We shouldn't allow the rather dejecting small amount of countries that disrespect international laws hurt our confidence. Rather, this highlights the need for mediation," the minister said on Commercial Radio. "We need to change the whole atmosphere, and show that the vast majority of countries in the world insist on using equal and peaceful means to settle disputes. We can use this new platform to demonstrate our persistence on such principles." Lam said non-member states can also use the mediation service, and they are most welcome to join the organisation going forward. He noted that compared with arbitration or litigation, countries who take part in mediation are more likely to respect the results of the process, since both parties would have found common ground through direct negotiations. Speaking on a TVB programme later, the minister said the renovation of the organisation's base – at the Old Wan Chai Police Station – should be completed by the end of the year. When it will start taking on cases depends on member states, and the formation of the organisation's secretariat, he added. The minister also stressed that the organisation is located in Hong Kong not only because of China's backing, but it also reflects the reputation of the SAR's rule of law, the city's global status, safety and transport links.
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong-based legal body can fill ‘glaring' global gap, justice minister says
A newly established international mediation body headquartered in Hong Kong can fill a gap in existing global dispute resolution systems, the city's justice minister has said, as he stressed the importance of institutional support. Advertisement Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok said on Friday that Hong Kong's advantages under the 'one country, two systems' governing principle made it the most suitable location for setting up the International Organisation for Mediation. Lam was addressing guests at a forum on mediation, held just after 33 countries had signed on to become founding members of the China-led legal body. 'While mediation may be conducted on an ad hoc basis, there are clear advantages to conducting mediation with institutional support,' Lam said. He cited guidance on procedures, the identification of a pool of mediators and help in making appointments as examples of support. Advertisement 'It is most desirable to have an intergovernmental organisation devoted to the use of mediation to resolve international disputes,' he said.
RTHK
15-05-2025
- Politics
- RTHK
Legco subcommittee finishes vetting security laws
Legco subcommittee finishes vetting security laws Paul Lam, right, said the subcommittee's efficiency demonstrates the collaboration of the executive and lawmakers in safeguarding national security. Photo: RTHK A Legco subcommittee completed the vetting of subsidiary national security laws on Thursday, after spending more than five hours examining the provisions clause by clause. The subcommittee was formed during a special House Committee meeting in the morning and aimed to scrutinise the new subsidiary laws by negative vetting. Subcommittee chairman Martin Liao said he'll report its work to the House Committee on Friday. Liao was among the same group of 15 lawmakers on the subcommittee who vetted the national security bill under Article 23 of the Basic Law last year. No one present at Thursday's meetings said they planned to move any amendments. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam thanked the subcommittee for its work. The minister said the efficiency showed that the executive and legislature had worked together to fulfil their constitutional duties to safeguard national security by improving relevant laws. "We have spent more than five hours, and the number of questions plus opinions expressed by members of the Legislative Council exceeded 150," Lam told reporters. "So I think any reasonable person would have agreed that the whole process is extremely serious, and that thorough discussion had been given to all relevant provisions." Lawmaker Regina Ip, who was on the subcommittee, said she too was satisfied with its work. "We actually exceeded the time allowed for us to do the scrutiny. Two meetings were provided for, but we actually ran three sessions, running into more than five hours and we raised more than 150 questions. "I think all of us discharged our duties very vigorously and very conscientiously, and I'm satisfied that the legislative procedure is a completely satisfactory one." Security minister Chris Tang stressed that the government will keep improving security laws if necessary.
RTHK
15-05-2025
- Politics
- RTHK
Lawmakers vet new national security subsidiary laws
Lawmakers vet new national security subsidiary laws Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said officers will ask people to leave the prohibited places in the event of an inadvertent entry. The government said on Thursday people won't violate national security laws if they simply take pictures of or go near six Office for Safeguarding National Security locations that have been declared as prohibited places this week. The prohibition placed on the six locations took effect on Tuesday in line with new subsidiary legislation tabled under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. Officials noted that under the ordinance, those who approach or inspect, enter or get close to the places with intent to endanger national security could be considered to have committed espionage, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years. People who inspect, enter or access the prohibited places without authorisation could also be jailed for up to two years. At a subcommittee scrutinising the subsidiary laws by negative vetting, lawmaker Kitson Yang asked if it's a crime to take a picture of the office when people walk by. He's also concerned that two of the prohibited places which are in Tai Kok Tsui are located next to schools, saying students may enter the places inadvertently. DAB chairman Gary Chan added that some of the premises are "just a step next to passageways" used by the general public, saying that "people could drop a coin into the prohibited places" [and then look for it]. Security minister Chris Tang told Yang that the public need not worry about inadvertent violations of the law. "Criminal intent is required as, for example, when one enters the area for espionage activities," he said. "Just passing by and taking a photo doesn't constitute a criminal intent." Tang added there are clear signs next to the banned places, and if needed, police officers can liaise with schools to explain the laws to students and teachers. For his part, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said the places are guarded by officers, who are empowered under the law to ask anyone to leave immediately after an inadvertent entry. He said it would be a crime if the person ignores such an order. Lam also explained to subcommittee chair Martin Liao why SAR authorities have extraterritorial jurisdiction only for the crime of giving false or misleading testimony or information. He said this is an exemption clause under the subsidiary laws made in the event that a person gives false testimony in a security trial on the mainland. The subcommittee was formed under the House Committee on Thursday morning, comprising the same 15 lawmakers who vetted the security bill under Article 23 of the Basic Law last year. Committee chair Starry Lee said the deadline for lawmakers to propose changes to the laws is June 11, and the minimum notice period for such proposals is seven days.
