On 30 July 2025, to establish the Panel of Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Arbitrators (“Panel”), the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (“HK DoJ”) issued a public announcement launching the GBA Arbitrators Nomination Exercise (Hong Kong) (“Nomination Exercise (Hong Kong)”), according to the Working Guidelines on the Panel of GBA Arbitrators (“Working Guidelines”) adopted by the sixth Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao GBA Legal Departments Joint Conference held on 18 November 2024.

Pursuant to the Guidelines, eligible and qualified arbitrators may be recommended for inclusion in the Panel. Such arbitrators shall submit their application forms and supporting documents or supplementary materials to designated arbitration and dispute resolution institutions or their permanent offices within the specified time frame. A total of seven Hong Kong-based institutions, including the Shanghai International Arbitration (Hong Kong) Center (hereinafter referred to as the “SHIAC Hong Kong”), have been designated by the HK DoJ as such institutions (“Designated Institutions”).

The Designated Institutions will conduct a preliminary review of the applications and related materials based on the prescribed criteria for recommendation and submit the reviewed applications to the HK DoJ for further consideration.

As stipulated in the Guidelines, the Panel is recommendatory in nature and serves as a reference for parties appointing arbitrators under applicable arbitration rules. It is intended to promote the integration of arbitration resources in the GBA, enhance the connectivity of regional arbitration mechanisms, and significantly improve legal certainty in the ADRs across the GBA. It is also expected to generate stronger economic synergies within the region. Leveraging our advantage under the Shanghai-Hong Kong cooperation framework and longstanding ties with the legal and arbitration community in Hong Kong, SHIAC Hong Kong warmly invites arbitrators from relevant jurisdictions to apply for inclusion to the Panel. SHIAC Hong Kong is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities as a Designated Institution, contributing to the legal infrastructure of the GBA and China’s rule of law in foreign-related matters, and supporting high-quality development and high-level opening-up.

Please click the link below to see the announcement:

https://www.doj.gov.hk/en/community_engagement/announcements/20250730_an1.html

Arbitrators are warmly welcome to file the applications through SHIAC Hong Kong! Please note that the arbitrators do not need to submit the application to other Designated Institutions once they file through SHIAC Hong Kong. Please download the Application Form by clicking the “read more” link below and submit it to the email address info@shiachk.org before August 29, 2025.

For enquiries, please call:

+852 9601 5817, 

+86 21 6387 5588*170, 

+86 21 6387 5588*155.