Hong Kong will eventually handle more international arbitration cases than London, cementing the special administrative region’s status as a global hub for dispute resolution, according to the head of the Hong Kong Bar Association.

Jose-Antonio Maurellet, Hong Kong Bar Association chairman, made the statement in an exclusive interview with China Daily on the eve of the start of operations of the International Organization of Mediation (IOMed) on Monday.

“It is only a matter of time before Hong Kong, as an arbitration center, will be handling more cases than London,” Maurellet said, adding that the official start of IOMed’s operations made it another “exciting” moment to emphasize Hong Kong’s unique position in dispute resolution, with its reach extending beyond commercial arbitration into mediation.

As Asian economies grow and its residents take up over 60 percent of the world’s population, Hong Kong is poised to resolve an increasing number of disputes.

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The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), one of Asia’s leading institutions for dispute resolution, handled 352 arbitration cases involving a total value of HK$106 billion ($13.6 billion) in 2024 — one of the highest on record, according to HKIAC data.  This growth is seen as an “optimistic sign” reflecting the increasingly close cross-judicial cooperation between the SAR and the Chinese mainland.

With the operation of the IOMed, Hong Kong is opening new frontiers in the Global South. Maurellet said that the SAR welcomes this growing emphasis on new horizons, calling it “very positive for the long term.”

In May, 19 countries from the Global South signed the convention establishing the IOMed in Hong Kong — the world’s first intergovernmental international legal organization dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation, a crucial mechanism for upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter.

“Historically, Hong Kong maintained strong relationships with North America and Europe,” Maurellet said as he emphasized the importance of broadening ties.

“We have traditionally neglected the other side of the world; this initiative shows we can build on what we already have, while maintaining robust existing relationships.”

An Oxford University graduate of 1999, Maurellet underscored the Hong Kong’s “international makeup” of its professional echelon. Except for the chief judge of the High Court and the chief justice, there is no nationality requirement for members of the judiciary.

In addition to the six high-profile overseas nonpermanent judges serving on the Court of Final Appeal, the Bar Association in 2024 approved 19 applications from overseas counsels from other common law jurisdictions to appear in Hong Kong courts.

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“I think this truly demonstrates how common law courts operate in the same way, and Hong Kong is a fully-fledged member of the common law system,” Maurellet said.

Amid geopolitical tensions, the senior counsel said that Hong Kong’s legal profession remains committed to the rule of law over politics.

“What matters most is that lawyers here and abroad are dedicated to resolving disputes independently and based on facts.” To support this, the Bar Association of 109 senior counsels has organized a series of international conferences throughout 2025, highlighting Hong Kong’s dedication to transparency and legal innovation.

“Nobody denies that Hong Kong has faced challenges,” the chairman said. But Hong Kong is not the only jurisdiction facing such challenges; geopolitical pressures impact jurisdictions worldwide.

“As lawyers, we encourage and learn from one another so we can better uphold the rule of law,” he added.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, the Oxford alumnus said he believes that “the city must remain honest and transparent to preserve its reputation as a fair place for dispute resolution”.

Moreover, the city’s unique status as a “bridge” forged another advantage — diversification. Maurellet’s eyes sparkled as he explained that the city, unlike other common law jurisdictions, is able to attract talent from across the globe, regardless of background, embodying the “one country, two systems” framework.

Contact the writer at jessicachen@chinadailyhk.com