Hong Kong’s position as a premier international legal services center has received a substantial boost with the upcoming establishment of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) Asia-Pacific Liaison Office. Justice Secretary Paul Lam announced that this landmark development represents a significant vote of confidence in Hong Kong’s global standing and legal capabilities.
The UNIDROIT office, scheduled to open in the second half of 2026, marks a historic milestone as the organization’s first regional presence outside its Rome headquarters in its century-long history. This expansion places Hong Kong alongside only a select few cities worldwide that host multiple international legal institutions.
Hong Kong’s legal infrastructure already includes the Hague Conference on Private International Law Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, the Department of Justice Project Office for Collaboration with United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, and the headquarters of the International Organization for Mediation. This concentration of legal entities creates a unique ecosystem for international dispute resolution and legal cooperation.
Secretary Lam emphasized the symbolic importance of international organizations choosing Hong Kong for their regional presence, noting that each new institution represents a tangible expression of global confidence in the city’s legal framework and international connectivity. He anticipates a snowball effect where Hong Kong’s enhanced reputation will attract more legal professionals, international activities, and dispute resolution cases to the city.
The strategic placement of these organizations strengthens Hong Kong’s role in shaping regional legal standards and practices while providing Asian jurisdictions with enhanced access to international legal resources. This development aligns with Hong Kong’s ongoing transformation into a comprehensive international legal services hub capable of handling complex cross-border matters and contributing to the evolution of global legal frameworks.