收藏：新任香港律政司司长2018年法律年度典礼致辞全文（中英对照版） | 万邦讯

终审法院首席法官、各位司法机构人员、大律师公会主席、律师会会长、各位嘉宾、各位女士、各位先生：

Chief Justice, members of the Judiciary, Chairman of the Bar Association, President of the Law Society, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

首先，谨代表律政司欢迎各位，特别是來自其他司法管辖区的嘉宾，莅临出席典礼。

On behalf of the Department of Justice, may I extend our warmest welcome to all of you here, especially to our guests from other jurisdictions.

法律制度是香港社会的支柱，而法治则是法律制度赖以成功的基石。本人定必把这点铭记心中，基于此，本人欣然接受委任为律政司司长，并会心存谦卑、无畏无惧、不偏不倚地服务社会。

In Hong Kong, the rule of law is the cornerstone of our legal system, which in turn is the cornerstone of our society. With this firmly in mind, I gratefully accepted the appointment as Secretary for Justice, with humility, courage and determination to serve without fear or favour.

实行法治见诸于众多方面。法律是通过实践而得以彰显，但是不应该只由律师、法官和政府实践。更重要的是，整个社会都应该遵守和尊重法治。我们的日常生活和一举一动，都是法治的明证。我们各人须共同承担责任，尊重、提倡和推动法治，作为本港社会的基础。

The rule of law manifests itself in a multitude of facets. Law exists in practice. However, it should not only be practised by the lawyers, the Judges and the Government. More importantly, the rule of law should be observed and respected by the community as a whole. It is through our daily lives and activities that we become testament to the existence of the rule of law. All of us jointly bear the responsibility to respect, promote and further the rule of law as a fundamental basis of our society.

今天我会集中谈及三个重点：律政司为政府和行政长官提供法律意见的角色、律政司履行刑事检控职责时不受任何干涉，以及司法独立。

I would like to focus on three points today: the role of the Department of Justice (the Department) in advising the Government and the Chief Executive, the Department's duty to conduct criminal prosecutions free from interference, and the independence of the Judiciary.

向政府提供意见

Advice to Government

律政司有职责就政府的作为是否合法及符合法例规定，向政府提供坦诚独立的专业意见。政府的角色在于为整个社会的福祉制订政策，部分政策可在现行的法律框架下实施，而有些或需透过日后订立的新法例推行。

It is the Department's duty and responsibility to provide honest, independent and professional advice to the Government on the legality of its acts and its compliance with the laws. It is the Government's role to formulate policy for the good of the society as a whole. Some policies can be implemented within the existing legal framework, while others may necessitate new laws to be enacted.

《基本法》是实践「一国两制」这总体政策的宪制性文件，载有制订新法例时必须遵守的基本原则。然而，《基本法》的草拟者，即使包括被有些人视为深谙普通法传统的法律专家，均无法预料日后可能出现的种种具体情况。可以说，《基本法》拟就方式的智慧，在于其内在的灵活通变：既保留须予恪守的基本原则，又能与时并进。《基本法》是在我们的单一体制国家跨越两个法律制度的法律，由行使大陆法的立法机关颁布，在实施普通法的司法管辖区内应用。正如其他法律，不同人对《基本法》可以有不同诠释方法；而两个法律制度传统的差异，如何理解和诠释法律的分别，更令有关差别扩大。尽管如此，这种分歧就像其他法律问题，必须正确了解冲突法规则和比较法研究的概念可如何应用，方可解决。大家须真诚交换意见，更重要的是互相理解意见分歧的原因，方能做到客观分析法律问题。寻求对法律的正确诠释，殊非易事，即使对法律界的顶尖人才也不无考验；但只要同心同德，矢志落实政策，定能找到一个符合法律的解决方案。

In formulating new laws, the Basic Law, being the constitutional document governing the implementation of the overarching "one country, two systems" policy, provides fundamental principles to be observed. Yet, the drafters of the Basic Law, including those some would agree to be great legal minds from common law traditions, could not have foreseen all specific situations that may arise in the future. The wisdom, one may say, of such drafting is in the inherent flexibility of the Basic Law to allow developments over time whilst preserving the fundamentals that must be observed. The Basic Law straddles two legal systems in a unitary state - it was promulgated by a civil law legislature to be applied in a common law jurisdiction. The Basic Law, like any other law, is open to different interpretations. This diversity is augmented by the differences in the approaches to the understanding and interpretation of laws by the two different legal traditions. Having said that, this difference, like any other legal issue, must be resolved through an appreciation of the ways in which conflict of laws rules and concepts in comparative law studies should be applied. Exchanges of views in good faith, and most importantly, mutual understanding of the reasons for the difference, inform an objective legal analysis. The pursuit of proper interpretation will no doubt challenge the greatest of legal minds. With a common goal to implement a particular policy, a legal solution can be achieved.

刑事检控

Criminal Prosecution

第二个范畴与律政司的检控职能有关。《基本法》第六十三条保障律政司主管刑事检察工作，不受任何干涉。

The second aspect relates to the prosecutorial function of the Department. Article 63 of the Basic Law guarantees that the Department of Justice shall control criminal prosecutions, free from any interference.

检控与否的决定，必须就所获得的证据和相关法律进行客观和专业的分析，并按照已公布的《检控守则》行事。在作出该等决定时，不得有任何政治考虑。律政司内一贯坚守专业精神，进行法律讨论时，不作政治考虑，并且以保密尤为至要。有些决定不易作出，但不论如何艰巨，甚或不受欢迎，律政司亦责无旁贷，必须作出法律上正确的决定而不受任何干涉。

Decisions to prosecute or not, as the case may be, must be based on an objective and professional assessment of the available evidence and the law and be in accordance with the published Prosecution Code. Politics can have no role to play in such decisions. The legal discussions within the Department will be conducted free from politics, with professionalism and, importantly, in confidence. Some decisions are hard to make, but the Department is duty bound to make decisions that are legally correct and free from any interference, difficult or unpalatable though they may be.

任何人追求目标，不论目标有多高尚和值得尊崇，行事都必须遵守法律。公众可透过不同途径各抒己见，社会上也设有机制，藉以推行改变。这些都是既合法亦具庄严地追求目标的正确方法。 终审法院署理首席法官陈兆恺在香港特别行政区诉周诺恒（终院刑事上诉2012年第12号）一案中所说的话，现引述如下（原文为英文）：「任何人在行使这权利时使用暴力或威胁使用暴力，又或破坏社会安宁，均无助于推展其目标。」他继续说：「要达到正当目标，采取的手段不但必须和平，更要合法。无论目标有多崇高，也不能成为使用暴力或非法手段的理由，而最终更可能招致刑事责任。」

A cause, however noble and honourable, must be pursued in accordance with the law. There are avenues by which views can be expressed and mechanisms in place for changes to be introduced. These are the proper means by which a cause can be pursued legally and with dignity. As the Acting Chief Justice Chan said in HKSAR v Chow Nok Hang FACC 12/2012, and I quote, "Resorting to violence or threat of violence or breach of peace in the exercise of this right will not advance one's cause." He continues, "The means to achieve a legitimate end must not only be peaceful, it must also be lawful. Violent or unlawful means cannot justify an end however noble. It may also attract criminal liability."

司法独立

Judicial Independence

第三个重点关乎法治的重要元素之一──争议解决。司法独立重要之处，在于提供各人都可以诉诸法院的审裁制度，确保法律面前人人平等，并且奉行程序公义，其重要性不可以低估。以往颁布的判决书已证明，法院秉行公义，全然以法律及可接纳的证据为本，判词亦阐述作出裁决的理据。或许有人不满判决的结果，但这并不代表司法独立受到蚕食。我们有强大的法律专业团体，司法机构稳健独立，我们都以此为荣。我有责任确保《基本法》明订的司法独立受到尊重，不会遭任意攻击或批评。我吁请社会各界秉持同一立场。

This leads to the third point, an important element of the rule of law - dispute resolution. The importance of an independent Judiciary that provides an accessible adjudicative system ensuring equality before the law, and observing due process cannot be understated. As evidenced in the judgements that have been rendered, our courts administer justice in full accordance with the law and evidence before it. Judgements set out the reasons by which they come to the decisions. Some may not like the outcome but it does not mean that the independence of the Judiciary is in anyway compromised. We have a strong legal fraternity and a strong and independent Judiciary in which we all take pride. It is my duty to ensure that the independence of our Judiciary, as enshrined in the Basic Law, is respected and not arbitrarily attacked or criticised. I urge the community to take the same stance.

客观研究

Objective Survey

有人认为香港的法治受到威胁。如果这些意见是指香港的法治受到考验，我并不质疑。不过，对于有意见指我们的法治受到损害，恕我不敢苟同。

Some suggest that the rule of law in Hong Kong is under threat. If it means that it is being tested, I have no qualms with such suggestions. But, with respect, I cannot agree with suggestions that our rule of law is in anyway compromised.

由国际组织进行的各项客观研究，均支持我们拥有独立司法机构。在世界经济论坛的《全球竞争力报告》中，香港的司法独立情况在亚洲连续三年位列第一。世界银行所进行的「世界管治指标」研究，不仅提供按年变动，更提供长期趋势。根据该研究，香港在法治方面的百分值，由一九九六年的69.9%上升至二 48 41337 48 19850 0 0 6278 0 0:00:06 0:00:03 0:00:03 6279〇一六年的93.3%（注一），在20年间由首70名之内跃升为首15名之内。这些统计数字显示香港的法治水平持续提升，但我们千万不能自满，仍须努力改进，精益求精。

Objective studies by international organisations support the existence of an independent Judiciary. In the Global Competitiveness Reports of the World Economic Forum, Hong Kong's judicial independence ranked first in Asia for the past three years. According to the Worldwide Governance Indicators Project of the World Bank, which provides trends over longer periods rather than year on year fluctuations only, Hong Kong's percentile ranking in rule of law has improved from 69.9 per cent in 1996 to 93.3 per cent in 2016 (Note 1) over 20 years, or a leap from a top 70 place to a top 15 place. These statistics suggest an upward trend, but we must not be complacent and must continue to strive to be better.

我们一方面必须继续坚决捍卫和维护法治，另一方面也要以负责任的态度行事，切勿任意发表贬低法治，并可能对其造成损害的武断言论。

Whilst we must continue to stand firm to guard and uphold the rule of law, we must also act responsibly and not utter arbitrary statements that underestimate our rule of law.

人人都有表达意见的权利。有根据和具建设性的批评和意见，有助推动正向发展，但不负责任和明显没有事实基础的不专业言论，对香港发展毫无助益。

Everyone has a right to express opinions. Educated and constructive criticisms and opinions drive positive development, but irresponsible and unprofessional utterances that are transparently baseless do not.

仲裁与调解

Arbitration and Mediation

我稍转话题谈谈香港在国际仲裁方面担当的角色。国际上一些重大的商业和投资争议，均是透过仲裁解决，当中的仲裁裁决可在差不多全球各地强制执行。仲裁是在国际层面上推动法治的要素。

I turn to look at Hong Kong's role in international arbitration. Arbitration resolves some of the most important commercial and investment disputes internationally with the arbitral awards enforceable practically universally. It plays an important role in promoting the rule of law at an international level.

香港拥有茁壮的仲裁文化、成熟的仲裁业务，以及丰富经验的仲裁人才，我们已经具备优越条件，可进一步发展本港这方面的优势。虽然香港名列全球第三最受欢迎的仲裁地（注二），但我们面对的竞争激烈。不过，有竞争方有进步。我们透过订立《2017年仲裁（修订）条例》，澄清知识产权争议可藉仲裁解决，而该条例已在二〇一八年一月一日正式生效。同时，法律界与资讯科技界集思共议，着手建立一套线上争议解决系统，藉以提供高效，实惠又方便用家的仲裁平台。当这个平台完成之后，香港的争议解决服务将更上一层楼。

Hong Kong has a strong arbitration culture, mature arbitration practice and a sophisticated arbitration community, and we are well placed to further develop our strengths in this area. Whilst Hong Kong has been ranked the third most preferred seat of arbitration worldwide (Note 2), the competition is keen. Yet it is competition that inspires advancement. Hong Kong has clarified the arbitrability of intellectual property rights disputes by way of the Arbitration (Amendment) Ordinance 2017 effective as at 1 January 2018. Members of the legal community have also put their heads together with the information technology sector and are working to develop an online dispute resolution system that will provide an efficient, affordable and accessible platform for arbitration. This platform once completed will take Hong Kong to a new dimension in the provision of dispute resolution services.

调解的好处在于可找出共同目标，以有关人士的利益为重点，寻求各方均可接纳的解决方案。二〇一六年，金融纠纷调解中心就投资者与金融机构之间的金融纠纷进行调解的成功率超过80%（注三）。此外，司法机构的统计数字显示，近年提交原讼法庭及区域法院使用了调解服务的案件中，约有65%最终能达成协议。《调解条例》和《道歉条例》提供健全的法律框架，让调解服务得以进一步发展。关于刚才提到的线上平台，亦将会加入线上调解功能，以提供全面的争议解决服务。

Mediation has the benefit of identifying the common goal, of focusing on the interests of those concerned in search for a solution that will be acceptable to them. In the Financial Dispute Resolution Centre, there was an over 80 per cent success rate in 2016 (Note 3) in mediating financial disputes between investors and the financial institutions. From statistics produced by the Judiciary, mediated cases brought before the Court of First Instance and the District Court have reached a settlement rate of around 65 per cent in recent years. The Mediation Ordinance and the Apology Ordinance provide a sound legal framework for mediation to be further developed. In the online platform that I mentioned, online mediation is to be developed so as to provide a comprehensive dispute resolution service.

为配合政府推动调解服务的政策而建成的西九龙调解中心，即将投入服务。该调解中心，是专供适合利用调解方式处理的小额钱债审裁处案件使用的独特设施，预计这对公众使用和认识调解服务，大有裨益。

In support of our policy on promoting mediation, the West Kowloon Mediation Centre has been constructed and will come into operation soon. It is a unique development that is dedicated to Small Claims Tribunal cases suitable for mediation. It is envisaged that this will greatly enhance the use and understanding of mediation.

国际法

International Law

香港在二〇一七年十月举办第二届联合国国际贸易法委员会（贸法会）（注四）司法高峯会，来自亚太区的的法官及律师在会上交换意见。这符合贸法会的重要原则之一，即协调国际商业法律及常规。协调可创造公平及透明的竞争环境，从而推动国际贸易和投资。我们正积极与贸法会商讨，让此项国际活动定期在香港举行。

In October 2017, Hong Kong held the 2nd UNCITRAL (Note 4) Judicial Summit, during which views were exchanged amongst judges and practitioners from the Asia Pacific region. This is in line with one of the important principles of UNCITRAL, that of harmonisation of laws and practice in international commercial transactions. Harmonisation creates a level playing field and transparency, thereby promoting international trade and investments. We are actively discussing with UNCITRAL to make this a regular international event in Hong Kong.

为加强上述政策措施，我们在亚太经合组织经济委员会辖下加强经济和法律基建主席之友工作组的工作中担任召集人，并会于今年三月在亚太经合组织举行二○一八年第一次高官会议期间，举办有关在争议解决及电子协议管理中使用现代科技的工作坊。此项亚太经合组织计划与上文提及的线上争议解决平台，可产生协同效应，加强本港在仲裁方面的优势。

To reinforce the above policy initiative, we have taken up the role of a convenor in the work of the Friends of the Chair on Strengthening Economic and Legal Infrastructure under the APEC (Note 5) Economic Committee and will organise an APEC Workshop in March at the margins of the 2018 APEC First Senior Officials Meeting on the Use of Modern Technology for Dispute Resolution and Electronic Agreement Management. This APEC project, together with the online dispute resolution platform discussed above, creates a synergy that will advance our strengths in arbitration.

在律政司大力支持下，海牙国际私法会议将在本年四月十八至二十日来港举行全球会议，以庆祝成立125周年。我们可通过这特别机会，听取著名专家分享，在当今现代因诸如中国的「一带一路」倡议以致全球各地互动日益频繁下，国际私法能有何贡献。

With the support of the Department, the Hague Conference on Private International Law is going to hold a global conference in Hong Kong on 18 to 20 April this year to celebrate its 125th anniversary. The event will give us a privileged opportunity to hear from notable experts their views on what private international law may offer in the modern age with expanding global interactions, prompted by, for example, China's Belt and Road Initiative.

按「法律枢纽」计划，政府为前中区政府合署西座（现称律政中心）及前法国外方传道会大楼进行翻新工程，以提供办公室空间予国际、区域及本地法律相关组织使用，有关工程现时进展良好。在全球化及「一带一路」倡议的项目增长下，我们也要在软件方面同步迈进，着手人力培训工作。

Under the Legal Hub project, renovation works in the West Wing of the former Central Government Offices (now renamed Justice Place) and the former French Mission Building to provide space for the operation of international, regional and local law-related organisations are progressing well. The software, through capacity building, must be further developed in parallel in the wake of globalisation and the growth of the Belt and Road Initiative projects.

行政长官在《施政报告》中表明，政府会积极寻求与其他经济体签订自由贸易协定、促进和保护投资协定和全面性避免双重课税协定，以进一步强化香港作为国际贸易、商业和金融中心的角色。就此，香港在二〇一七年十一月与东盟（注五）签订《自由贸易协定》。

The Chief Executive, in her Policy Address, stated that the Government will actively seek to conclude free trade agreements, investment promotion and protection agreements and comprehensive avoidance of double taxation agreements with other economies to further the strengths of Hong Kong's position as an international trade, commercial and financial centre. The Hong Kong - ASEAN (Note 6) Free Trade Agreement was signed in November 2017.

对这领域的专门知识和法律执业者的需求稳步增加。香港多所大学和亚洲国际法律研究院一直为学生、法律执业者、法官及政府官员提供实用的专题培训，也会继续提供研究和国际交流意见的平台。

All these show the need for expertise and demand for practitioners in this area is steadily increasing. A number of the universities in Hong Kong and the Asian Academy of International Law have continuously provided training in topical areas for students, practitioners, Judges and government officials and will continue to provide a platform for research and international exchange of views.

与内地提供相互法律协助

Mutual Legal Assistance with the Mainland

谈回香港方面，我们因应社会发展，与内地达成多项提供相互法律协助的安排。这些安排通过适当的赋权法例在本地实施。

Returning to home, we have completed a number of mutual legal assistance arrangements with the Mainland. They were introduced as a result of the developments in society. Arrangements entered into are implemented locally with the passage of enabling legislation.

鉴于跨境婚姻日渐普遍，我们在二〇一七年六月签订《相互认可和执行婚姻家庭民事案件判决的安排》。为实施安排，律政司现正拟备有关条例草案。

With increasing cross-border marriages, the Arrangement on Reciprocal Recognition and Enforcement of Civil Judgements in Matrimonial and Family Cases was concluded in June 2017. To implement this Arrangement, the Department is currently preparing a bill.

随着跨境交易日益增加，《就民商事案件相互委托提取证据的安排》已在二〇一六年十二月签订，并在二〇一七年三月一日实施。我们已着手处理所收到的协助委托，使诉讼人能更快捷取得证据。

With a growing number of cross-border transactions, the Arrangement on Mutual Taking of Evidence in Civil and Commercial Matters was concluded in December 2016 and took effect on 1 March 2017. Requests for assistance have been processed enabling litigants to obtain evidence with enhanced efficiency.

我们也会落实其他安排，例如扩阔自二〇〇八年起实施的相互认可和执行民事案件判决的安排的适用范围。这些安排将提供明确、简便和高效的法律框架，保障香港居民与商界的利益。

Other arrangements, such as the expansion of the scope of the arrangement for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of civil judgements implemented since 2008, will be pursued. These will protect the interests of Hong Kong's residents and businesses through a clear, accessible and efficient legal framework.

结语

Conclusion

最后，我谨向前任司长袁国强先生致意。他竭诚为香港服务，工作克尽厥职，为人敦厚随和。要做到同样成绩殊不容易，我必无畏无惧，不偏不倚，竭力履行我的职责。

Ladies and gentlemen, it leaves me to thank Rimsky, my predecessor, for serving Hong Kong with such dedication, devotion and good temperament, leaving me a hard act to follow. I will strive and do my best to serve without fear or favour in discharging my duties.

谢谢各位。

Thank you for your kind attention.

【万邦讯】编辑：David

微信号：fishinarbitration

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