Matchmaking push set for GBA-licensed lawyers

The Hong Kong government is set to provide support for lawyers with licenses to practice in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), as announced by Secretary for Justice Paul Lam. This initiative stems from amendments to the Lawyers Law, passed by the National People's Congress Standing Committee in August, which transformed a pilot program into a permanent arrangement starting this month.

These changes permit lawyers from Hong Kong and Macao to practice in nine GBA municipalities across specified legal fields. Over 650 lawyers have already obtained the license, with a significant majority hailing from Hong Kong, and many have already begun practicing in these regions. Lam emphasized that while the license holders possess the necessary qualifications, they require partnerships with local lawyers to effectively establish themselves in these new markets.

The government aims to facilitate such partnerships through matchmaker programs. Additionally, the government, in collaboration with the GBA Lawyers Organization established last year, organizes regular activities to enable license holders to engage directly with their mainland counterparts. During a recent visit to Central Asia, Lam and his delegation traveled to Xinjiang and brought along two mainland lawyers, highlighting the potential for business connections between the two regions.

This collaboration aims to demonstrate Hong Kong's professional capabilities and assist mainland firms in expanding their market reach to Central Asia.