CityUHK LLMArbDR programme 35th anniversary reception
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) held a reception on 20 November to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of its Master of Laws in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (LLMArbDR) programme. The event brought together representatives from leading law firms and the legal community to commemorate the programme’s development and its contribution to the legal community.
In his welcome remarks, Professor Freddy Boey, CityUHK President and University Distinguished Professor said, “Thirty-five years is not just a measure of longevity; it’s also a testament to the profound impact of the LLMArbDR programme. Its success is a vivid reflection of Hong Kong’s dynamism. Hong Kong has become a world-class hub for commerce and legal services, and CityUHK is proud to have contributed to this journey.”
The Honourable Mr Justice Thomas Au Hing-cheung, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, also attended the event and shared his insights on the development of the legal profession, offering valuable perspectives to guests.
Distinguished attendees included The Honourable Mr Justice Lee Hing-nin, District Judge of the HKSAR; Mr Patrick Lau Hui-ping, Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council; Mr Sean Lin, Assistant District Commander (Administration) (Western District) of the Hong Kong Police Force; Dr Lester Garson Huang, SBS, JP, Co-Chairman and Partner, P. C. Woo & Co., former Chairman of the CityUHK Council, and CityUHK Honorary Doctor of Laws; Professor Peter Malanczuk, former Programme Director of the LLMArbDR programme of the CityUHK School of Law; Mr Roden Tong Man-lung, President of the Law Society of Hong Kong; and Mr Horace Wong, SC, JP, Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Arbitration at the Hong Kong Bar Association; Professor Petra Butler, Executive Dean of Faculty of Law at University of Canterbury.
Also present were Professor Kevin Downing, Secretary to the Council at CityUHK; and Professor Lin Feng, Dean and Chair Professor of Basic Law of the School of Law; Professor Christopher To, Programme Director of the LLMArbDR programme of the School of Law.
In his closing remarks, Professor Lin expressed his gratitude to faculty, alumni, partners and students for their longstanding support. “Looking ahead, the landscape of dispute resolution will continue to evolve with emerging technologies and complex cross-border challenges,” he said. “The CityUHK School of Law will remain at the forefront, adapting with agility and setting the standard for excellence.”
Established in 1991, the LLMArbDR programme was the first master’s degree programme in arbitration and dispute resolution in Asia. The programme aims to deepen understanding of arbitration and dispute resolution theory, practice and professional ethics.
Graduates may apply for various professional qualifications, including Associateship or Fellowship of the Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators, accreditation as a general mediator by Hong Kong Mediation Accreditation Association Limited, and CPD points awarded by the Law Society of Hong Kong.
The CityUHK School of Law will continue to enhance the programme’s content and quality, providing a comprehensive platform for those aspiring to join the arbitration and mediation profession or to strengthen their legal expertise.