Letters | Hong Kong arbitration case records freely available with bodies concerned
- Those interested can directly approach relevant institutions to learn about their caseload, instead of abusing the Code on Access to Information
Arbitral proceedings are confidential in nature. Nobody – including the Hong Kong SAR government, which is not privy to the arbitral proceedings – can be expected to keep statistics on the number of all arbitration cases that have been conducted in Hong Kong.
Deliberations of the Advisory Committee on Promotion of Arbitration, set up to advise the Department of Justice on such matters, are confidential and cannot be divulged.
While the department always handles requests for information under the Code on Access to Information properly, it must be stressed that the code must not be abused. The code is not meant for requests for information that is already in the public domain and does not otherwise oblige compilation of information on request.
Academic research into arbitration and other dispute resolution services in Hong Kong is most welcome but should be fact-based.
Misunderstandings aside, our position is always clear. We have been endeavouring to improve and excel, with a view to fostering Hong Kong’s development as the world’s prime venue for international deal-making and dispute resolution services.
Helen Kung, senior assistant law officer (acting), Civil Division (Arbitration), Department of Justice
