Hong Kong, 4 December 2017: The global implications of Brexit were discussed at a signature Hong Kong conference on Saturday attended by Boase Cohen & Collins Senior Partner Colin Cohen.
The gathering, organised by the Department of Justice at its headquarters in Central, focused on the “Impact of Brexit on the Development of Common Law, Dispute Resolution and Judicial Co-operation in Civil and Commercial Matters”.
It opened with welcoming remarks from Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen and Andrew Heyn, British Consul General to Hong Kong and Macau, and featured analysis and debate from leading legal figures in the UK and Hong Kong.
The speakers included David Greene, Senior Partner in Edwin Coe LLP, the London law firm which, like Boase Cohen & Collins, is a member of global legal services organisation Ally Law. Mr Greene appeared in his capacity as a leading member of the Law Society of England and Wales, for whom he chairs three bodies – the International Committee, Brexit Taskforce and Legal Affairs Policy Board.
“It was an excellent seminar that underlined just how far-reaching and complex are the legal issues arising from Brexit,” said Mr Cohen. “These include common law development, provision of legal services in international commercial transactions, and international legal and dispute resolution practice. Brexit has also cast a spotlight on how the UK will maintain judicial co-operation with the EU and the rest of the world.
“As well, it was good to catch up with David and discuss continued co-operation between Boase Cohen & Collins and Edwin Coe plus some Ally Law matters. Previously, we have stressed the importance of Ally Law lawyers travelling overseas and working together independently of the AGM and Regional Meetings, showcasing our services to a wider audience. David’s visit to Hong Kong was a perfect example of this.”
The keynote address was delivered by world renowned barrister Lord Pannick QC, who commented on the decisions of the UK’s High Court and Supreme Court in R (Miller) v Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union. In this landmark case last year, Lord Pannick acted successfully for the Claimant in a challenge to the Prime Minister’s ability to issue a declaration triggering the UK’s withdrawal from the EU without authorisation from an Act of Parliament.