The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law, known as UNIDROIT, opened its Asia-Pacific liaison office in Hong Kong on 2 November. It is the organisation’s first office outside its Rome headquarters.
The opening coincided with the start of the five-day Hong Kong Legal Week and UNIDROIT’s centenary year. Established in 1926, the organisation works to modernise and harmonise private law, including rules relevant to trade and cross-border cooperation.
Chief Executive John Lee said the office could become a focal point for engagement with regional member states and stakeholders, and deepen collaboration on private law.
The Secretary for Justice said the office is to be based at Hong Kong Legal Hub in Central. He expects the concentration of legal bodies there to encourage day-to-day contact and provide Asia-Pacific governments and industry with a more convenient channel to reach them. The hub already houses the Hague Conference on Private International Law’s Asia-Pacific regional office, a UNCITRAL cooperation project office and the AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre.