Tuesday, March 26, 2019

New Book: Constitutional Remedies in Asia (Editor: Po Jen Yap)

"Constitutional Remedies in Asia"
Edited by Po Jen Yap
Routledge
March 2019, 194 pp.
Description: Many jurisdictions in Asia have vested their courts with the power of constitutional review. Traditionally, these courts would invalidate an impugned law to the extent of its inconsistency with the constitution. In common law systems, such an invalidation operates immediately and retrospectively; and courts in both common law and civil law systems would leave it to the legislature to introduce corrective legislation. In practice, however, both common law and civil law courts in Asia have devised novel constitutional remedies, often in the absence of explicit constitutional or statutory authorisation. Examining cases from Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, and the Philippines, this collection of essays examines four novel constitutional remedies which have been judicially adopted - Prospective Invalidation, Suspension Order, Remedial Interpretation, and Judicial Directive - that blurs the distinction between adjudication and legislation.​
'By taking us on an eye-opening tour of constitutional remedies in Asia, this fascinating collection of essays broadens the landscape of comparative constitutional analysis. Not only does it open up new territory, it also deepens our understanding of remedies by highlighting the multiple ways in which judges seek to engage political actors in the joint endeavour of making rights real.' - Aileen Kavanagh, Professor of Constitutional Law, University of Oxford, UK
'This volume brings important developments in Asia into comparative constitutional debates that have overwhelmingly focused on the U.K., Canada, and New Zealand. Combining theoretical engagement with on-the-ground experiences, it makes a valuable contribution and will broaden the scholarly conversations.' - Robert Leckey, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Samuel Gale Professor, McGill University, Canada
'A fascinating and rich systematic study of the under-studied but vital topic of comparative constitutional remedies. Constitutional Remedies in Asia is path-breaking scholarship which makes many deep connections between various remedies devised by courts and the political systems within which they operate. Essential reading for those interested in comparative constitutional law.' - Kent Roach, CM, FRSC, Prichard Wilson Chair in Law and Public Policy, University of Toronto, Canada
'Combining careful legal analysis with a realistic understanding of courts' positions in different national legal system, these essays are important contributions to the growing field of comparative constitutional studies.' - Mark Tushnet, William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law, Harvard Law School, USA
'Constitutional Remedies in Asia is a sophisticated collection of chapters on an understudied aspect of judicial power and creativity. The volume illustrates the power of comparative analysis, integrating diverse country experiences into a common framework, and opens up new angles for courts and scholars.' - Tom Ginsburg, Leo Spitz Professor of International Law, University of Chicago, USA​

Sunday, March 24, 2019

New Book: Mediation and ADR Confidentiality in Hong Kong (Gary Meggitt)

Mediation and ADR Confidentiality in Hong Kong
Wildy, Simmonds and Hill Publishing
March 2019, 288 pp
Description: It is generally accepted in Hong Kong and many other jurisdictions that mediation is ‘confidential’. This book examines the three non-statutory components of mediation confidentiality in Hong Kong:-
  • contractual or equitable confidentiality;
  • the without prejudice doctrine;
  • and legal professional privilege – together with the Hong Kong Mediation Ordinance.  
This study looks at the protection which each of the components and the Ordinance affords to the participants in mediation and the deficiencies in the same.
     The author argues that the justification for a specific mediation confidentiality may be found in the very nature and philosophy of mediation itself and, in particular, its distinctive empowerment of the parties and its independence from the litigation process. It is contended that, to the extent that they share these qualities, other forms of ADR should be similarly protected.
    This book will interest and be useful to academics, students and legal practitioners interested in mediation and ADR in Hong Kong and elsewhere. The thesis upon which this book is based was awarded the University of Hong Kong’s prestigious Li Ka Shing Prize.

Saturday, March 23, 2019

Amanda Whitfort Interviewed on Pangolins: The World’s Most Trafficked Mammals Slipping Into Extinction (Earth.Org)

"Pangolins: The World’s Most Trafficked Mammals Slipping Into Extinction"
Samantha Topp
Earth.Org
25 Feb 2019
For most of us the thought of wildlife crime brings to mind ivory and rhino horns, yet in reality the most trafficked mammal in the world remains relatively unknown. An animal ranging from the size of a common house cat to a medium sized dog, but covered in hundreds of scales and found only in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa: the pangolin ...
     Associate Professor at Hong Kong University (HKU) Amanda Whitfort explains that all eight species of pangolin are in high demand for traditional Chinese medicine in China. “Hong Kong is the fifth busiest container port in the world and only about 1% of our containers are inspected. Given the low risk of detection it is not surprising that we are used by traffickers seeking an easy gateway to China.”
      Currently, wildlife trafficking offences are listed under legislation aimed to protect endangered species of animals and plants in Hong Kong: Cap.586. However, many have pushed for it to be now listed as under the Organised and Serious Crime Ordinance (OSCO). Whitfort says that this legislation change would allow investigators to use more coercive powers when investigating wildlife crime operations.
     Alexandra Andersson, founder of the conservation group Hong Kong for Pangolins, also stresses the importance of listing wildlife offences under OSCO, saying that the Hong Kong government needs to “increase associated penalties, close various loopholes in the law, and work with forensic scientists to develop tools to detect laundering.”
     In traditional Chinese medicine, some practitioners prescribe pangolin scales to cure ailments from rheumatism, soreness and itchiness to cancer and impotence. However, activists like Andersson argue that scales are proven to be made of keratin, the substance of human fingernails.
     In 2008 a global NGO focused on illegal wildlife trade, TRAFFIC, found that pangolin scale alternatives include Wang Bu Lui Xing (Vaccaraie semen) and dried seeds of cowherb (Vaccaria segetalis). Within the study it was found that the medicinal effects of both alternatives were classed as being equally as effective as pangolin scales.
     Whitfort says that many traditional Chinese medicine practitioners publicly support the use of alternatives to endangered species, though it is evident that pangolin products are still in high demand both for its scales and its meat. “No species should go extinct for traditional Chinese medicine,” says Whitfort. ...“Eventually we will have the correct laws,” Whitfort says. “Unfortunately, for some species, those laws will come too late.”  Click here to read the full text. 

Thursday, March 21, 2019

HKU Class of 2018 Law PhD Graduates

Congratulations to our 12 PhD graduates who had their degrees conferred upon them at the 200th Congregation on 30 November 2018 at the University of Hong Kong. The newest members of our RPg alumnae family include the following:

1. Dr. AMESHEVA Inna Ilieva, Unravelling Differential Treatment: From Coexistence to Cooperation in International Climate Change Law. Supervisor: Dr James Fry


3. Dr. CHONG Agnes, The Non-Hierarchical Norms of No-Harm and PhD Equitable Utilization in International Watercourses Law. Supervisor: Dr James Fry

4. Dr. FEI Mengtian, An Analysis of Modernization and Law concerning Same-sex Sexuality in China.  Supervisor: Mr Benny Tai

5. Dr. LEJOT Paul Louis, The Place of Law Legal and Regulatory Influences on Financial Sector Agglomeration. Supervisor: Professor Douglas Arner

6. Dr. LONG Jie, China's Space Station in Light of Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities: Cooperation, Law, Reality and Potential. Supervisor: Professor Yun Zhao

7. Dr. REPOUSIS Odysseas, The Rise of Multilateral Investment Treaties: International Investment Law Between Codification and Progressive Development. Supervisor: Dr James Fry

8. Dr. RUANGSAWASDI Chernporn, The Virtue-Based Paradigm of Judgment in the World of Investment Disputes.  Supervisor: Professor Hualing Fu

9. Dr. SPINA ALI Gabriele, Article 39(3) TRIPS: Understanding the Obligations, Exploiting the Flexibilities.  Supervisor: Ms Alice Lee

10. Dr. WEST Michael John, Federal Frontiers: the Constitution of Hunan Province in 1920s Republican China.  Supervisor: Professor Hualing Fu

11. Dr. ZHANG Xiaohan, The Application of the Consumer Protection Principle in the UNCITRAL ODR Rules and Its Implications for the ODR Practice in China. Supervisor: Professor Yun Zhao

12. Dr. ZUO Anlei, Institutional Fragmentation of International Intellectual Property Law in a World Society: Ontological Ethos, Structural Biases and Regime Interaction.  Supervisor: Dr. Li Yahong

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Guanghua Yu on Open Access Order and Interconnected Institutions in Brazil (Law & Development Rev)

"Open Access Order and Interconnected Institutions in Brazil: A Challenge"
Guanghua Yu
Law and Development Review
Published Online: 2018-05-10
Abstract:
This article examines the evolution of democratic practice in Brazil. The article begins with a discussion on the country’s performance in terms of social equality, violence, and weak economy after the consolidation of democracy in 1985. Based on historical evidence, the article offers explanations concerning the weak performance in Brazil. The case of Brazil provides a challenge to the theory of open access order of North and his colleagues in the sense that open access to political organizations and activities does not necessarily lead to either better political representation or better economic performance. The case of Brazil also shows that open access to economic organizations and activities in the absence of the necessary institutions in the areas of property rights protection and contract enforcement, the financial market, the rule of law, and human resources accumulation does not lead to long-term economic growth.

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Hualing Fu on Social Organization of Rights: From Rhetoric to Reality (UCLA Pacific Basin Law Journal)

"Social Organization of Rights: From Rhetoric to Reality"
Hualing Fu
UCLA Pacific Basin Law Journal
2019, Volume 36, Issue 1
Abstract: Public interest litigation (PIL) is a form of socio-legal activism. PIL originated in the United States, and spread, through the aggressive promotion of U.S.-centric rule of law, to China, where it has had a significant impact on socio-legal activism since the 1990s. This Article explores both the process through which human rights discourse is translated into practice by activist lawyers and human rights defenders, as well as the circumstances that cause socio-legal mobilization to fail or succeed. This Article examines the collective and sustained endeavour by human rights lawyers and other activists to advocate for the rights of specific communities through a rights complex, composed of activist lawyers, NGO leaders, and citizen journalists, as well as supporters within state institutions, Chinese society, and the international community. This Article looks at the institutionalized manner through which legal cases facilitate socio-legal mobilization to serve the broader objectives of educating citizens, enhancing the capacity of civil society, and making the government more accountable and responsive. The principal argument is that once citizens are endowed with legal rights and institutions are put in place for their implementation, the remaining issue is raising rights-awareness among rights-bearing citizens and generate demand for rights in society and channel those rights to institutions. Lawyers and other rights defenders play an indispensable bridging function in translating rhetoric to practice.

Monday, March 18, 2019

David Law Interviewed on Huawei’s Lawsuit Against the US Government (VoA)

"China's Huawei Sues US Government Over Ban"
Bill Ide & Joyce Huang
Voice of America
7 March 2019
Chinese tech giant Huawei has sued the U.S. government, arguing that legislation Congress passed last year restricting its business in the United States is "unconstitutional."
     The case, which analysts see more as a public relations move, is the latest in an intensifying effort by the telecommunications company to fight U.S. security concerns that Huawei argues are unfair and unfounded.
     In its lawsuit, Huawei argues that Section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act violates the constitutional principles of separation of powers and due process. By singling out the company and punishing it without a trial, the company also argues that the law violates the Constitution's the bill of attainder clause...
     Legal analysts said it is unlikely the case will even go to trial. "As a PR matter, this is brilliant, the fact that we are just talking about this now, tells you this is a great PR move, as a legal matter, this is a reach, to put it charitably," said law professor David Law of Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Hong Kong. "I just can't see how a federal district judge in Texas is going to let this go to trial much less hand Huawei a win."...

Sunday, March 17, 2019

HKU Team Wins Hong Kong Regional Jessup Round 2019

For the third consecutive year, the HKU Jessup Team won the Regional Champion title in the 60th Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition on 29th February 2019. The Team was also awarded the Best Written Memorial Prizes for both the Applicant and Respondent.
     The Team consists of five students – Kaley Chan Yauting (LLM), Harrison Chung Wing Fung (PCLL), Jonathan Hsu Yau Yung (PCLL), Mathilda Kwong Yuan Shang (LLB5) and Myranda Lai Wun Chi (PCLL). Since October 2018, the Team intensely discussed and researched this year’s moot question on state responsibility for corporate actions, human rights violations, environmental degradation and appropriation of traditional knowledge for commercial purposes. By drafting two 9,000 word memorials and numerous advocacy trainings, the Team improved substantially their writing, researching and advocacy skills. 
     The Team takes this opportunity to express their sincere gratitude to the team coaches Ms Astina Au and Ms Natalie So for their valuable feedback and helpful guidance throughout. The Team would also like to thank the guest judges, Mr Victor Lui, Mr Jeff Chan, Ms Alice Leung, Ms Angel Cheng, Mr Sunny Hor, Mr Henness Leung and Mr Jason Ko, for their kind assistance. The Team will continue to work hard in preparation for the international rounds in Washington DC in April 2019, in which they will represent Hong Kong in competing against fellow advocates from nearly 100 countries and jurisdictions around the world. 

New Issue: SSRN Legal Studies Research Paper Series (HKU)


Vol. 9, No. 1: Feb 22, 2019


Table of Contents

Douglas W. Arner, The University of Hong Kong - Faculty of Law
Ross P. Buckley, University of New South Wales (UNSW) - Faculty of Law
Dirk A. Zetzsche, Universite du Luxembourg - Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance, Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf - Center for Business & Corporate Law (CBC)

David S. Law, Washington University in St. Louis - School of Law, The University of Hong Kong - Faculty of Law, Washington University in St. Louis - Department of Political Science

David S. Law, Washington University in St. Louis - School of Law, The University of Hong Kong - Faculty of Law, Washington University in St. Louis - Department of Political Science

Thursday, March 7, 2019

Advances in Comparative and Transnational ADR: Research into Practice Conference (8-9 March 2019, HKU)

"Advances in Comparative and Transnational ADR: Research into Practice"
8, 9 March 2019; 11th Floor Cheng Yu Tung Tower, Faculty of Law, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
Preliminary Program
Friday March 8th
08:40
Registration
09:00
Welcome:
Dean Michael Hor, University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Law
Opening remarks:
Shahla Ali, University of Hong Kong
09:15 –
10:15
Session 1 – Methodological Considerations in Comparative and Transnational ADR
Chair: Zhao Yun
Discussant: Lola Akin Ojelabi
·Matthew Erie, “The Third Eye: The Problem of Method in the Study of Transnational Dispute Resolution”
·Michael Palmer, “Modes of Dispute Response: Reconnecting the Range”
·Shahla Ali, “Advancing Research and Practice in Dispute Resolution Institutions through Inclusive Devolved Reflection”
10:15

10:35
Morning Break
10:35

12:10
Session 2 – Comparative ADR Ethics, Standards and Jurisprudential Ideals
Chair: Keith Hawkins
Discussant: Kerstin Bree Carlson
·Deborah Hensler, “Re-Inventing Arbitration: How Expanding the Scope of Arbitration is Re-Shaping its Form and Blurring the Line Between Private and Public Adjudication”
·Michal Alberstein, “Between Summary Trials and ADR”
·Lola Akin Ojelabi, “The Challenges of Developing Global Ethical Standards for ADR Practice”
·Zachary R. Calo, “Legal Ethics and Transnational Dispute Resolution”
·Dorcas Quek, “A New Chapter in the Cross-Border Enforcement of Mediated Settlement Agreements: The Elevated Role of Mediation Standards in Procedural and Substantive Justice”
12:10
-
13:20
Lunch for Speakers/Chairs 
13:20

14:20
Session 3 – Comparative Approaches in Conciliation and Arbitration
Chair: Tania Sourdin
Discussant: Luigi Cominelli
·Anselmo Reyes, “The Use of Conciliation and Litigation by the Hong Kong Equal Opportunities Commission”
·Manuel Gomez, “Talk to Me: The Upsurge of International Arbitration-Related Conferences and their Impact on Academia, the Industry and the Legal Profession”
·Gu Weixia, “Arbitration in Comparative Perspectives”
14:20

15:35
Session 4 – Comparative ADR in Peace building, Health Care and Disasters
Chair: Eric Feldman
Discussant: Matthew Erie
·Kerstin Bree Carlson, “Peace Through Law: A Hybrid Tribunal for Divided South Sudan”
·Eric Feldman, “Recent Developments in Victim Compensation for the Fukushima Disaster” [TBC]
·Nadav Davidovitch, “Dealing with Conflicts in Health Care Systems: Form Clinical Medicine to Public Health Settings”
·Martin Lau, “TBC: ADR in Pakistan”
15:35
-
16:00
Break
16:00

17:50
Session 5 – ADR Developments and Reform in Mainland China
Chair: Michael Palmer
Discussant: Sida Liu
·He Xin, “Flexibility and Authority: Resolving Labor Disputes in a County Government in Western China”
·Kwai Ng, “Wearing Two Hats – Problems of Judicial Mediation as Seen from China”
·Chao Xi, “Negotiations in the Shadow of Shareholder Activism”
·Sida Liu, “The Spaces of Global China: Hong Kong as a Frontier for Chinese Law Firms”
·Ling Zhou, “Forum Shopping in a World of Mixed Processes: China’s Professional Litigants”
·Yang Lin, “New Developments in Online Dispute Resolution in China”
17:50
Closing remarks
18:30
Dinner hosted by HKU (by invitation only)


Saturday March 9th
09:30

11:20
Session 6 – Mediation Developments in the Context of Civil Justice Reforms
Chair: Mark Feldman
·Tania Sourdin, “When is the Best time to Mediate? Considering Early Mediation”
·Luigi Cominelli, “Mediation Models and the Impact of the 52/2008 Directive on Civil and Commercial Mediation in Europe”
·Pablo Cortes, “Imbedding Mediation in the Civil Justice System”
·Nadja Alexander, “International Comparison of Regulatory Systems for Mediation”
·Francis Law, “TBC”
11:20
-
11:50
Break
11:50
-
12:00
Closing remarks and next steps
12:00
Lunch hosted by HKU (by invitation only)

Conference Theme:

The focus of the forum is on exploring the challenges and opportunities in understanding and assessing developments in systems of dispute resolution in diverse social and political contexts through comparative research. Papers may cover topics such as practical considerations in conducting comparative work in the field of transnational and comparative dispute resolution, insights from recent studies, and consideration of how research may inform policy reform in ADR institutions regionally and transnationally. We hope the forum will facilitate research collaboration that will also translate into positive policy applications and directions for future study.

*Transnational Dispute Management (TDM, ISSN 1875-4120) is a comprehensive and innovative information service on the management of international disputes, with a focus on the rapidly evolving area of investment arbitration, but also in other significant areas of international investment (such as oil, gas, energy, infrastructure, mining, utilities etc).
It deals both with formal adjudicatory procedures (mainly investment and commercial arbitration), but also mediation/ADR methods, negotiation and managerial ways to manage transnational disputes efficiently. See www.transnational-dispute-management.com for more information. You can apply for a free OGEMID trial membership and students can sign up for Young-OGEMID (which is free)

Registration
Please register through the following link: https://goo.gl/Beo8bZ
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