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The second and third reading of the Construction Industry Security of Payment Bill concluded at the Legislative Council on 18 December 2024. As an important milestone of the security of payment regime in Hong Kong, the Construction Industry Security of Payment Ordinance (“Ordinance”) will be published in the Government Gazette on 27 December 2024. According to section 1(3), the provisions on power of Secretary for Development for registration and administration of Adjudicator Nominating Bodies (“ANBs”) will take effect on the gazettal date, i.e. 27 December 2024. The remaining provisions of the Ordinance will come into operation on 28 August 2025. Construction contracts entered into on or after this date will be governed by the Ordinance.

As 2024 draws to a close, we look back at some of the highlights across BCLP's Litigation & Investigations team. Our lawyers have successfully represented our clients across a myriad of high-stakes disputes globally, as well as being at the forefront of notable Pro Bono efforts and thought leadership initiatives.

On 23 October 2024, the Data (Use and Access) Bill (the “DUAB”) was introduced to Parliament. The DUAB is the Labour government’s answer to the perceived shortfalls of the since-abandoned Data Protection and Digital Information Bill (the “DPDI” Bill). We unpack below the elements from the DPDI Bill that were abandoned, those retained, and the newly added ones introduced by the DUAB.

Numerous states have either enacted or proposed regulations regarding per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) present in Class B Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (“AFFF”) used for firefighting, or present in firefighters’ clothing and equipment. These regulations typically involve restrictions in four general areas:  Discharge or Use Restrictions. These regulations usually limit or prohibit the use of AFFF in training or testing exercises, and may only allow the use of AFFF in active firefighting situations; Disposal, Storage, Inventory or “Take-back” Provisions. Some states have enacted state run programs to purchase and dispose of AFFF, usually purchasing supplies from government agencies; Notification or Reporting Requirements. When continued use of AFFF is allowed, some states have required that businesses report specific details regarding their discharge; and Limitations on Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”). Some states have limited or prohibited PPE for firefighters that contain PFAS compounds.