Law Society Opens Refurbished Arbitration Center at Former Premises
HK01 · 4 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
The Law Society of Hong Kong unveiled its newly renovated former premises at Wing On House on October 13, converting the nearly 30-year-old location into a multi-functional service center focused on arbitration and mediation. The center, spanning over 13,000 square feet, aims to address the acute shortage and high rental costs of arbitration venues in Hong Kong, one of the world's three major financial centers. Law Society President Tong Man-lung emphasized the initiative will benefit the industry at accessible rates, while preserving the organization's heritage through a symbolic time capsule.
Key Points
- The center features three arbitration suites with soundproofing, dedicated breakout rooms for confidential discussions, seminar rooms, and a lecture hall accommodating over 100 people for exams
- Rental fees are set at approximately half market rate for members, with audio-visual systems and displays included unlike commercial venues that charge per item
- The time capsule, made from the original solid wood council meeting table, contains anniversary publications and interviews with past presidents since reunification, and will be opened on April 8, 2047
- Membership has grown from 4,500 in 1997 to nearly 14,000 today, with over 1,800 registered overseas lawyers from 30 jurisdictions
- Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan attended the launch ceremony alongside other legal industry leaders
Why It Matters
The center's opening directly addresses a critical infrastructure gap in Hong Kong's legal services sector, where arbitration demand has surged alongside the city's role as a global financial hub. By providing affordable, professional venues, the Law Society enables more cost-effective dispute resolution, potentially attracting additional international legal work to Hong Kong. The facility also positions the organization as a long-term institutional pillar, supporting legal professionals from registration through career advancement .
The center's opening directly addresses a critical infrastructure gap in Hong Kong's legal services sector, where arbitration demand has surged alongside the city's role as a global financial hub. By providing affordable, professional venues, the Law Society enables more cost-effective dispute resolution, potentially attracting additional international legal work to Hong Kong. The facility also positions the organization as a long-term institutional pillar, supporting legal professionals from registration through career advancement .