What Changed
- Launch of the Funding Scheme for LawTech Solution Subscription targeting young legal professionals and small/medium law firms.
- Formal opening of UNIDROIT's Asia-Pacific Liaison Office and active amendment exercise for the Arbitration Ordinance.
- Forthcoming public consultation on AI-enabled crimes and establishment of an interdepartmental working team on AI product liability and minor protection.
### Background and Overview
During Hong Kong Legal Week 2026, senior leadership from the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong SAR) delivered key remarks outlining new technological, legislative, and institutional initiatives aimed at strengthening Hong Kong SAR's position as an international legal and dispute resolution services center.
On November 5, 2026, the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, addressed media representatives at the LawTech Forum regarding the launch of the Funding Scheme for LawTech Solution Subscription by the Hong Kong Legal Sector. The following day, November 6, 2026, the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, spoke at a media session during the Second Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macao Greater Bay Area Lawyers Forum, providing updates on international law facilities, statutory arbitration reforms, and forthcoming regulatory frameworks governing artificial intelligence (AI).
### Support for LawTech Adoption Among Legal Practitioners
Addressing financial barriers within the legal sector, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan explained that the Department of Justice launched a pilot scheme—the Funding Scheme for LawTech Solution Subscription by the Hong Kong Legal Sector—to encourage technology adoption. The scheme specifically targets young legal professionals, particularly barristers with less than seven years of experience, as well as small and medium-sized law firms.
According to Dr Cheung, legal sector consultations revealed that financial burden was a primary concern preventing practitioners from integrating technology into their daily work. The government aims to offer financial incentives to help these groups adopt lawtech tools, experience their operational benefits, and enhance their practice capabilities. Dr Cheung noted that the pilot scheme represents an initial phase, and the Department of Justice will monitor its progress to assess future support for the legal sector.
During the media session, media inquiries noted specific details of the scheme, including a reported $20,000 reimbursement structure and a requirement for applicants to choose from 14 vetted service providers, while asking how practitioners would select solutions appropriate for their practice areas.
### International Cooperation, Arbitration, and Infrastructure
Secretary for Justice Mr Paul Lam, SC, highlighted major institutional advancements designed to reinforce Hong Kong SAR's status as a dispute resolution hub. A central milestone from Legal Week 2026 was the formal opening of the Asia-Pacific Liaison Office of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) in Hong Kong SAR. Mr Lam stated that the government will work closely with UNIDROIT and extend all necessary operational assistance to ensure the liaison office functions as intended.
In addition to international organizational presence, Mr Lam confirmed two ongoing structural projects:
1. Active progression of an amendment exercise concerning the Arbitration Ordinance to update and refine Hong Kong SAR's arbitration legal framework.
2. Development plans for the construction of a new Hong Kong International Legal Service Building to support domestic and cross-border legal services.
### AI Legal Frameworks: Offenses, Minors, and Product Liability
Addressing public interest in emerging technologies, Mr Lam detailed progress on AI-related legislative and regulatory initiatives. The government is taking a multi-track approach to address AI risks and governance:
- **AI-Facilitated Crime:** A subcommittee of the Law Reform Commission is finalizing recommendations on AI-enabled crimes. A public consultation document on this topic is expected in the immediate future.
- **Protection of Minors and Product Liability:** Regarding the regulation of social media and AI use by minors, as well as AI product liability, Mr Lam is establishing an interdepartmental working team. He directed that a meeting of this team take place as soon as possible within 2026.
Mr Lam noted that significant progress has been achieved across these areas and stated that the public will be updated as milestones are reached.
### Practical Implications for Legal Professionals and Businesses
The updates presented during Hong Kong Legal Week 2026 carry concrete implications for legal practice and regulatory planning in Hong Kong SAR and the broader Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA):
1. **Lawtech Accessibility:** Junior barristers (under seven years of call) and small to medium law firms gain access to state-backed financial incentives aimed at reducing the cost of technology subscription tools.
2. **Arbitration and Cross-Border Practice:** Practitioners involved in commercial dispute resolution should monitor upcoming amendments to the Arbitration Ordinance and prepare for expanded regional integration facilitated by the UNIDROIT Asia-Pacific Liaison Office and the GBA Lawyers Forum.
3. **AI Compliance Planning:** Businesses and technology developers operating in Hong Kong SAR must prepare for upcoming public consultations on AI-enabled crimes, potential statutory product liability rules for AI systems, and prospective regulations governing minor access to AI and social media platforms.
### Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
**Q1: Who is eligible for the Funding Scheme for LawTech Solution Subscription?**
A: According to Deputy Secretary for Justice Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, the pilot scheme is designed to encourage young legal professionals, specifically barristers with less than seven years of experience and practitioners in small and medium-sized law firms.
**Q2: What is the main objective of establishing the UNIDROIT liaison office in Hong Kong SAR?**
A: Secretary for Justice Mr Paul Lam, SC, stated that the formal opening of the Asia-Pacific Liaison Office of UNIDROIT aims to strengthen Hong Kong SAR's position as an international legal and dispute resolution services center.
**Q3: What legislative developments are expected regarding artificial intelligence in Hong Kong SAR?**
A: A Law Reform Commission subcommittee is finalizing recommendations on AI-enabled crimes, with a public consultation document expected shortly. Additionally, an interdepartmental working team is being established to address AI product liability and the regulation of AI and social media use by minors.
**Q4: What updates were provided regarding Hong Kong SAR's arbitration laws?**
A: Secretary for Justice Mr Paul Lam, SC, confirmed that the government is actively proceeding with an amendment exercise for the Arbitration Ordinance alongside plans to construct a new Hong Kong International Legal Service Building.
Who May Be Affected
Legal practitioners in Hong Kong SAR (especially barristers with less than seven years experience and small/medium law firms), arbitration stakeholders, AI developers, and technology users.
Cross-Border Context
Enhances Hong Kong SAR's role as an international legal and dispute resolution hub in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and globally through UNIDROIT liaison.
What to check next
- Release of the Law Reform Commission subcommittee's consultation document on AI-enabled crimes.
- Outcome of the interdepartmental working team meeting on AI product liability and minor protection expected in 2026.
- Progress and legislative proposals concerning the Arbitration Ordinance amendment exercise.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult the official text and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances where needed.