14. Legal representation

A “user-friendly” feature of Hong Kong arbitration is the “open house” policy on legal representation. Under section 63 of the Arbitration Ordinance (Cap. 609), parties are free to choose their representatives, who do not need to be legally qualified or resident in Hong Kong. There is no requirement for overseas lawyers to be admitted in Hong Kong to conduct arbitral proceedings, and the costs for such representatives remain recoverable. However, this policy does not apply to arbitration-related court proceedings, where traditional rights of audience for solicitors and barristers are maintained.