The International Organization for Mediation held the first event in its Global Dialogue series in Hong Kong on 24 September, bringing together serving and former justice secretaries to discuss the city’s mediation policies. The session at the institute’s Wan Chai headquarters was held both online and in person. Secretary-General Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah moderated, with Justice Secretary Paul T K Lam and former justice secretaries Rimsky Yuen and Cheng as speakers.
Yuen described 2007 to 2009 as important years in the development of modern mediation in Hong Kong. He said the 2007 policy address formally confirmed mediation as a way to resolve disputes. Cheng cited the establishment of the Financial Dispute Resolution Centre in 2012 and the “mediation first, arbitration second” approach as milestones in financial-dispute mediation.
Cheng said the institute had handled more than two cases, with further cases under discussion. She said mediation confidentiality meant she could not disclose details. She also reported that 48 countries had signed the institute’s convention and that there were 18 contracting states.
Hong Kong’s policy address proposed including the institute as a dispute-resolution option in more government contracts and international agreements signed by Hong Kong. Lam said he hoped the proposal would encourage greater use of its services.