Legal and Dispute Resolution services able to apply for an exemption from the compulsory quarantine arrangement

On 19 May 2020, the Hong Kong Government issued a press release describing a mechanism for legal practitioners, arbitrators or mediators providing necessary professional services in arbitration, mediation or litigation proceedings to be able to apply for an exemption from the compulsory quarantine arrangement.

 The mechanism applies to arbitrators, mediators or qualified legal practitioners acting as counsel for a party in arbitration or mediation proceedings administered by a relevant body (listed in the appendix) or in litigation proceedings in court who returns to Hong Kong from the Mainland, Macau or Taiwan after the provision of necessary legal services there.

 The Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group is one of the relevant bodies listed in the appendix.

 The mechanism also applies to arbitrators, mediators or qualified legal practitioners acting as counsel for a party in arbitration or mediation proceedings administered by a relevant body or in litigation proceedings in court who travels from the Mainland, Macau or Taiwan to Hong Kong to provide necessary legal services in Hong Kong.

 The Department of Justice has started processing applications from 19 May 2020.

 The full press release and its appendix can be downloaded from:

https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202005/19/P2020051900564.htm

21 May 2020