Mr. Yuen was called to the Hong Kong Bar in 1987 and appointed Senior Counsel in 2003. From 2012 to 2018, he was the Secretary for Justice of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“Hong Kong SAR”). After resigning as the Secretary for Justice, he resumes and continues to practise as a barrister at Temple Chambers, with special focus in commercial disputes.

Mr. Yuen is also an arbitrator and is a panel arbitrator of various arbitral institutions including the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, the Beijing Arbitration Commission / Beijing International Arbitration Centre and the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (Shenzhen Arbitration Commission). He is also currently the Co-Chair of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre. In addition, Mr. Yuen is an accredited mediator and practises as a general mediator with emphasis on commercial and related civil disputes. Currently he is also the Chairman of the Hong Kong Mediation Association Ltd.

Apart from being a practitioner, Mr. Yuen has been involved in different facets of the development and promotion of dispute resolution for a considerable period of time. Concurrent with his involvement in judicial works as a Recorder of the High Court of the Hong Kong SAR from 2006 to 2012, Mr. Yuen started to actively participate in the promotion of mediation during his tenure as the Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association from 2007 to 2009. Thereafter, he assisted the Hong Kong SAR Government in the preparation and introduction of the Mediation Ordinance in Hong Kong. Upon taking up the role of Secretary for Justice, he was heavily involved in the promotion of dispute resolution. Key areas include: (1) the introduction of Apology Ordinance in Hong Kong; (2) third party funding for arbitration and mediation; and (3) arbitrability of intellectual property disputes.

After resigning as Secretary for Justice, he continues to be actively involved in the promotion of dispute resolution by, among others, taking up the roles of Co-Chair of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Mediation Association Ltd.

Related Links: 袁国强 Rimsky Yuen (GBM, SC, JP)

*The original text is Chinese and has been translated into English for reference only. If there is any inconsistency or ambiguity between the Chinese version and the English version, the Chinese version shall prevail.