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II. The Status Quo and Basis of Cooperation of Hong Kong Legal Practitioners in the GBA

training period, but in a phased manner; (3) extending the application period for applying for the practising

licence; (4) designing training sessions that include law lectures and case drills to simulate and familiarise
participants with the actual implementation of relevant laws and regulations; (5) conducting centralised training

without requiring the trainees to stop working and providing more interactive physical courses rather than online
ones.

When asked if they are willing to send lawyers from their law firms to take the GBA Legal Professional
Examination, 60.4% of Hong Kong lawyers expressed their willingness. Reasons include expanding the market

and improving lawyers’ competence, as it is an important skill set for young lawyers to be able to practise in
the GBA, given the current trend. However, 37.7% do not want to participate in the examination, citing reasons

such as insufficient preparation time, language barriers in a pure Chinese examination environment, no plans for
market expansion, or a lack of suitable candidates.

2.3 Analysis on the foundation for cooperation for Hong Kong legal practitioners in the

GBA

2.3.1 Policy basis and objective conditions for cooperation in legal service

(a) Comprehensive policy support to promote the development of the legal service

industry in the GBA

On January 30, 2023, the Ministry of Justice of the PRC issued the Notice No. 2 on “2023 Guangdong-Hong
Kong-Macao GBA Legal Professional Examination”. On September 28, 2023, The General Office of the State

Council published the “Notice on the Pilot Measures for Hong Kong and Macao Legal Practitioners to Obtain
Mainland Practice Qualifications and to Practise as Lawyers in nine Mainland municipalities in the GBA”.

During the interviews, Hong Kong lawyers demonstrated a tendency to establish ties with governments and
industry associations in the Mainland. By gaining market information and staying updated on policy dynamics, it

is more convenient to establish strategic cooperation with Mainland enterprises and stabilize the foothold in the
Mainland legal market.

Hong Kong lawyers have different preferences for policy support. In terms of expanding business to
the GBA, over half (66.1%) support “improving the legal basis of cooperating with local governments, and

formulating a unified solution for resolving interregional conflicts”. 60.3% support “improving the nurturing of
legal talents in the GBA, increasing the supply of cross-regional legal talents” and “establishing more flexible

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