HONG KONG – On January 29, 2024, China's Supreme Court and Hong Kong's Department of Justice announced the signing of an agreement for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial cases. This agreement will take immediate effect in both regions.
The purpose of this arrangement is to minimize the need for parties to re-litigate the same dispute in both mainland China and Hong Kong courts. By doing so, it aims to reduce the associated risks, legal costs, and time typically involved in cross-border enforcement of such judgments, as stated by Hong Kong's Department of Justice.
Due to the lack of previous precedents with the mainland, it remains unclear how the reciprocal recognition and enforcement arrangement will operate in practice. However, it is worth noting that Hong Kong is the only jurisdiction to have such a comprehensive arrangement with mainland China.
This development comes as Hong Kong prepares to implement a new set of national security laws, including Article 23, which is expected to further tighten China's control over the region. These laws may include counter-espionage legislation, reinforcing official authority over foreign institutions.
When Hong Kong transitioned from British to Chinese rule in 1997, Beijing promised the city a significant degree of autonomy, including the right to free speech and protest. However, critics argue that Beijing has not fulfilled these promises, particularly in light of the recent crackdown on national security laws. This crackdown has resulted in the arrest of over 280 pro-democracy activists and politicians, including prominent China critic Jimmy Lai.
Lai's trial has become a matter of international concern, serving as a crucial test for Hong Kong's judicial independence and freedoms. Diplomats from various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, and Australia, have been present during the proceedings.
Justice Secretary Paul Lam has emphasized that the new civil and commercial arrangement highlights the unique advantages enjoyed by Hong Kong under the "one country, two systems" governance framework. Lam believes that this arrangement will make Hong Kong an even more attractive choice for resolving contractual disputes, given its common law system, which is familiar and trusted by the international business community. Additionally, a Hong Kong judgment may now be recognized and enforced throughout mainland China.
Lam further expressed optimism that this agreement will enhance Hong Kong's status as an international center for legal and dispute resolution services. It may also encourage investors and businesspeople from other countries to explore investment and business opportunities in mainland China.
內地與香港簽署相互承認民商事案件協議
香港－2024年1月29日，中國最高法院與香港法務部宣布簽署相互認可和執行民商事案件判決協議。 該協議將立即在兩個地區生效。
這種安排的目的是最大限度地減少當事人在中國大陸和香港法院就同一爭議重新提起訴訟的需要。 香港法務局表示，這樣做的目的是減少跨境執行此類判決通常涉及的相關風險、法律成本和時間。
由於與內地缺乏先例，目前尚不清楚相互承認和執行的安排在實踐中如何運作。 但值得注意的是，香港是唯一與中國內地有如此全面安排的司法管轄區。
這項事態發展正值香港準備實施一套新的國家安全法，其中包括第23條，預計該法將進一步收緊中國對該地區的控制。 這些法律可能包括反間諜立法，加強對外國機構的官方權威。
1997年，當香港從英國統治過渡到中國統治時，北京承諾香港享有高度自治權，包括言論自由和抗議權。 然而，批評者認為，北京尚未履行這些承諾，特別是考慮到最近對國家安全法的打擊。 這次鎮壓導致 280 多名民主活動人士和政界人士被捕，其中包括著名的中國批評家黎智英。
黎智英的審判已成為國際關注的問題，是香港司法獨立和自由的重大考驗。 來自美國、英國、歐盟、加拿大和澳洲等國家的外交官出席了訴訟程序。
律政司司長林鄭月娥強調，新的民商事安排凸顯香港在「一國兩制」治理框架下享有的獨特優勢。 林鄭月娥相信，鑑於香港的普通法體係受到國際商界的熟悉和信任，這項安排將使香港成為解決合約糾紛更具吸引力的選擇。 此外，香港的判決現在可以在整個中國大陸得到承認和執行。
林鄭月娥進一步樂觀地認為，這項協議將提升香港作為國際法律和爭議解決服務中心的地位。 它還可能鼓勵其他國家的投資者和商人到中國大陸探索投資和商業機會。
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