 was recently invited to lead a session at the Hong Kong Common Law & Dispute Resolution Practical Training Course in Xi’an – a leading city in the “One Belt, One Road” initiative.

Co-organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy and Shannxi Province Lawyers Association and bringing together 80 legal professionals from across Mainland China, the course introduced practical and operational aspects of the Hong Kong common law system and international arbitration.

During his presentation, Jonathan discussed the rules of evidence in Hong Kong and common law advocacy skills, and delivered an interactive demonstration with the audience on examination-in-chief and cross-examination of witnesses.

Special thanks to the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy for the invitation and Shannxi Province Lawyers Association for their hospitality and arrangement throughout the event.

Kattina Anglin v Governor of the Cayman Islands

 [2025] UKPC 30, the Privy Council dismissed a constitutional challenge to the Civil Partnership Act 2020 (“CPA”).

The CPA was enacted following the judgment of the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal in 

Deputy Registrar and Attorney General v Day and Bush 

2020 (1) CILR 99, in which the Court had declared that the absence of a legal framework for the recognition and protection of same-sex relationships violated the European Convention on Human Rights and the Bill of Rights in the Cayman Islands Constitution. After the Cayman Islands Parliament voted down a civil partnership bill, the Governor enacted the CPA using his reserved powers under section 81 of the Constitution. The Governor and the UK Government considered that it was necessary and desirable in the interests of external affairs to legislate so as to bring an end to the longstanding breach of the Convention.

Ms Anglin brought proceedings to challenge the CPA, contending that regulating civil partnerships was a domestic matter and was outside the scope of the Governor’s power to legislate in the interests of external affairs. The challenge was rejected in the Grand Court and the Court of Appeal. On a further appeal the Privy Council again ruled for the Governor, finding that adopting legislation to remedy a breach of the Convention was within the Governor’s powers relating to external affairs under section 81.

 acted for the Governor, led by Tom Hickman KC.

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