On 10 July, the Legislative Council of Hong Kong passed the Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 2013. (Click here for our earlier post on the Bill)
The Arbitration (Amendment) Ordinance 2013 introduces a number of changes to the 2011 Arbitration Ordinance (Cap. 609), aimed at ensuring Hong Kong remains at the forefront of modern arbitral practice.
The amendments to the Arbitration Ordinance include:
- New provisions allowing Hong Kong courts to enforce relief granted by an emergency arbitrator, whether made in or outside Hong Kong.
- Implementation of the Arrangement Concerning Reciprocal Recognition and Enforcement of Arbitral Awards between the Hong Kong SAR and the Macao SAR, signed in January 2013.
- Amendments to the provisions for taxation of arbitration costs by the Hong Kong courts.
- Inclusion of five new New York Convention signatories in the relevant Schedule.
The amendments took effect on 19 July 2013, with the exception of the Hong Kong/Macao mutual enforcement arrangements, which will come into force at a later date, to be notified in the Hong Kong Government Gazette.
Please click here to read more.
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