Page 13 - Issue 03

建造業爭議 | Construction Disputes

party that its claims had little prospects of success and 達成和解。
therefore a compromise on substantially the same terms as
had been offered prior to commencement of the mediation
was accepted.

It should be remembered that the settlement of any claim 值得留意的是任何申索的和解均在乎於雙方的態度。
lies with the parties. There is no obligation on the parties to 任何一方均無義務必須同意作出妥協；在考慮任何建
agree a compromise; and in considering any proposal they 議時，當事人應清楚他們本身的商業利益。我們建議
clearly should bear in mind their own commercial interest.
當事人均應抱著切合實際的期望，清楚認定有關的直
We advise parties to be realistic in their approach
recognising the direct cost and opportunity cost of the 接成本和提早達成和解的機會成本。
alternatives to an early settlement.

What limitation exists on the adoption of mediation? 採用調解有什麼限制？
There are a small number of types of commercial disputes 僅有很少類形的商業爭議是不適合進行調解的。這些
where mediation is not an appropriate solution, this is 爭議通常是涉及公眾權益的爭議，但一般而言，調解
generally where the dispute involves the rights of the public
at large - but generally mediation can be used to resolve all 適用於各類形爭議的解決。
manner of disputes.

We have been surprised that despite the success of 我們感到奇怪的是，雖然調解的成功例子這麼多，但
mediation, there remains reluctance on the part of some 業內仍有部份人士抱有猶疑的態度，在合約沒有要求
parties in the industry to voluntarily adopt mediation where 時，很少會自願地採用調解。甚至合約內容已包含採
contracts do not include a requirement for its adoption.
Surprisingly, this is even the case where other contracts 用調解的條款，仍有人不會自願採用。我們亦見到有
entered into by the relevant party include mediation. We 部份承包商不願意在他們與分包商的交易上採用調解
程序。頒布實務指示 31 後，這些猶疑的態度將會更加
also see reluctance amongst contractors to adopt
mediation in their dealings with sub-contractors. In the light 難辯解。
of Practice Direction No. 31 such reluctance will become
increasingly difficult to justify.

What are the greatest challenges faced in mediation? 調解面對的最大挑戰是什麼？
In our discussions with clients, we perceive that there is a 在我們與客戶的討論中，我們觀察到有關注表示特別
growing concern that mediation in the construction industry 在涉及大型政府工程的項目上，建築業界漸漸放棄原
particularly involving substantial government projects is
moving away from the quick and relatively cost free 來快捷和成本相對較低的調解方式，轉而使用較正規
approach initially envisaged by the rules, to a more formal 的程序上。然而，過份的延誤和相應的費用和繁複手
and lengthy process. Although there is justification in this 續會對調解的採用產生不利影響。但與此同時，較簡
concern, it does to some extent fail to recognise that the 單的程序亦會導致失敗率較高。我們應該取得平衡。
success of mediation in the construction industry in Hong
Kong has from its very earliest days reflected a relatively
formal process. However, excessive delay and associated
cost and formality will adversely affect the adoption of
mediation. At the same time a simpler process may result
in a higher failure rate and accordingly a balance must be
struck.

What is the future of mediation in Hong Kong? 香港調解程序的未來？
The Department of Justice published a Working Paper on 律政處於 2010 年 2 月 8 日就調解的未來發表一份工作
the future of mediation on 8 February 2010 and
報告，並展開為期三個月的公眾諮詢；該份文件可在
commenced a three month consultation process. A copy of
the paper can be downloaded from 查閱。
/eng/public/mediation.htm>. Among the recommendations 工 作 小 組 提 出 多 項 建 議 ， 其 中 包 括 制 定 一 條 獨 立 的
of the Working Group is that there should be a stand-alone 《調解條例》，目的是提供適當的法律架構以進行調
Mediation Ordinance which aims at providing a legal 解，但同時不應妨礙調解程序的靈活性。
framework for the conduct of mediation without hampering

CIC Newsletter Issue No. 3
建造業議會通訊 第三期 03 / 2010 13