The Law Reform Commission was established in January 1980. It considers and reports on such topics as may be referred to it by the Secretary for Justice or the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal of the HKSAR. Its membership includes academics, practising lawyers and prominent community members.

Since its establishment, the commission has published 47 reports covering subjects as diverse as commercial arbitration, divorce, sale of goods and supply of services, fraud and hearsay in civil proceedings. The recommendations in 26 of these reports have been implemented, either in whole or in part. The commission is currently considering references on privacy, domicile, hearsay in criminal proceedings, privity of contract, conditional fees, criteria for service as a juror and substitute decision-making and advance directives in relation to medical treatment.