Arbitration in the HKSAR is governed by the Arbitration Ordinance, which provides a domestic regime derived from English law and for international arbitrations incorporates the Model Law adopted by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law.

HKSAR awards can be enforced in more than 135 jurisdictions that are signatories to the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards. A system for reciprocal enforcement of arbitration awards between the HKSAR and the Mainland, based on the spirit of the New York Convention, has been in place since January 2000. In June 2000, the summary enforcement of other awards (e.g. from Taiwan and Macao) was introduced.

The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) was established in 1985 to be the focus for Asia of dispute resolution. The HKIAC provides advisory and support services for the resolution of local and international disputes by arbitration, adjudication and mediation.