What Changed
- Official conclusion of the GBA lawyers pilot scheme on October 4, 2026, and legislative regularisation under the amended PRC Lawyers Law.
- Release and implementation of the MoJ management measures on October 5, 2026, establishing enrolment rules, scope of practice, and a biennial exam frequency.
- Hong Kong DoJ commitment to implement related policy initiatives under the HKSAR First Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) and 2026 Policy Address.
Legal practitioners in Hong Kong SAR seeking to practice in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) face a newly regularised regulatory framework. On October 11, 2026, the Department of Justice (DoJ) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region welcomed the release and implementation of the Measures for the Management of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Legal Professional Examination and Practice (Measures), issued by the Mainland Ministry of Justice (MoJ) on October 5, 2026.
This development follows the formal conclusion of the multi-year pilot scheme for GBA lawyers on October 4, 2026. Prior to the pilot's end, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress passed amendments to the Lawyers Law of the People's Republic of China (Lawyers Law), officially codifying and regularising the GBA lawyers' scheme into national law while assigning the formulation of detailed operational rules to the judicial administration department of the State Council.
The Measures issued by the MoJ establish clear provisions regarding enrolment requirements for the GBA Legal Professional Examination, application procedures for legal practice, and the scope of practice for qualified lawyers. Under these implementation rules, the GBA Examination will take place once every two years.
Secretary for Justice Mr Paul Lam, SC, stated that the amended Lawyers Law alongside the newly issued Measures provide solid legal protection and explicit guidance for the long-term, stable operation of the regime. The DoJ confirmed that it will actively advance policy initiatives related to GBA legal practice outlined in the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address, working to complement Mainland authorities and deepen cross-jurisdictional legal services cooperation across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.
Who May Be Affected
Hong Kong and Macao legal professionals seeking to qualify or practice Mainland law in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Cross-Border Context
Facilitates cross-border legal practice by permitting eligible Hong Kong and Macao legal practitioners to qualify and practice in specified Mainland jurisdictions within the Greater Bay Area.
What to check next
- Check the full text of the Measures for the Management of the GBA Legal Professional Examination and Practice issued by the Ministry of Justice on October 5, 2026.
- Monitor official announcements regarding enrolment procedures and schedules for the next biennial GBA Legal Professional Examination.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult the official text and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances where needed.