New Technology and Changing Legal Econsystems: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Co-organized by:

  • Des Voeux Chambers
  • Monckton Chambers
  • Law and Technology Centre, Faculty of Law of the University of Hong Kong

“New Technology and Changing Legal Econsystems: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly”

Date: Monday, May 20, 2019
Time: 6pm – 9pm
Venue: The Hong Kong Bankers Club

What legal issues arise from new technology? How does new technology impact legal processes?

We are at an inflection point with new tech: and it is already bringing about tangible returns in terms of convenience, scalability, increased productivity and a reduction in costs. Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things and 5G wireless have led to the emergence of online dispute resolution, smart contracts and predictive litigation models. Join our keynote and guest speakers as well as our eminent panellists as they provide you with a wider understanding of the environment as it changes and unfolds, and share ideas as to how to re-architect to stay relevant.

We will also take a look at the power and pitfalls of new developments in the Intellectual Property, Competition, Litigation & Arbitration arenas and how these will play out following the impact of new tech in the future.

5.30 pm   Registration

6 pm         Welcome Remarks 

Winnie Tam SC, JP, Des Voeux Chambers (DVC)

6.10 pm   Keynote Speech – New Technology & Changing Legal Ecosystems: The Economics and Value of IP and innovation

Keynote Speaker, Anna Wu Hung-yuk GBS, JP

Keynote speaker, Anna Wu Hung-yuk, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Competition Commission will begin the evening with a discussion of the value of IP and innovation and ask what culture is required to encourage innovation?

6.30 pm  Panel 1: (INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY) consisting of Winnie Tam SC, JP, and CW Ling, Barristers-at-law, DVC

Winnie Tam SC, JP will examine how the rapid progress in technological innovation will challenge the boundaries of established concepts in IP law, and how future legislation may be shaped.

6.45 pm  CW Ling will provide an overview of the impact of IP and competition law on pharmaceutical patents, agreements restricting competition and the case of generic drugs and abuse of dominant position via the patent system by big pharmaceutical companies.

7.00 pm  Refreshments/Buffet dinner and mingling session

7.20 pm Panel 2 (COMPETITION LAW) consisting of Visiting Guest Speaker, Tim Ward QC, Monckton Chambers, Catrina Lam, Barrister-at-law, DVC and Winnie Tam, SC, JP, DVC

Tim Ward QC will delve into why competition law matters for patent enforcement. He will then review when a patent holder must license a rival in the context of standard essential patents. Lastly, he will consider setting a royalty and the role of the courts.

7.35 pm   Catrina Lam will examine the anatomy of Big Data and will reveal how to  apply old rules to a new market phenomenon.

7.50 pm   Winnie Tam SC, JP will take the audience through the first application of the Merger Rule under the Competition Ordinance by the Communications Authority.

8.00 pm  Special Announcement by Winnie Tam SC, JP 

8.05  pm  Panel Discussion on Competition & IP Law and a Q&A session moderated by Sabrina Ho, Barrister-at-law, DVC

8.20 pm Panel 3 (DISPUTE RESOLUTION, LEGAL UPDATES & LAW TECH) William Wong SC, DVC, Simon KY Wong, Guest Speaker, CEO, Hong Kong R&D Centre for Logistics and Supply Chain Management Enabling Technologies, and Look-Chan Ho, Barrister-at-law, DVC

8:20 pm  DVC’s William Wong SC, will present an update concerning new interim measures implemented in aid of arbitration in HK. He will take you behind the scenes of the developments surrounding third party funding amendments and demonstrate how this has provided greater transparency and clarity. Lastly, he will provide you with actionable ways to leverage opportunities arising from the Belt & Road initiative.

8:35 pm Guest Speaker, Simon KY Wong, CEO, Hong Kong R&D Centre for Logistics and Supply Chain Management Enabling Technologies, architect of the EBRAM digital dispute resolution and deal-making platform, considers how technology building blocks can be used to equip a global platform for deal-making, arbitration and mediation.

8:50 pm  DVC’s Look-Chan Ho will round up the evening with what lies ahead in terms of new efficiencies created by technology in the litigation and arbitration sphere.  He will then turn to how liability issues might be tackled following the implementation of the Greater Bay Area Development Plan.

9.00 pm  Panel Discussion Wrap up and an interactive Q&A with the audience, moderated by Sabrina Ho

9.15 pm  Closing Remarks delivered by Haochen Sun, Associate Professor of Law, Director of Law and Technology Centre, University of Hong Kong