Hong Kong 2006
 GO
Chapter 2:
The Legal System
Introduction
Continuation of the Legal System
Law in the HKSAR
International Treaties and Agreements applying to the HKSAR
Court Challenges under the Basic Law
Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution
The Secretary for Justice
The Law Reform Commission
The Legal Profession
The Judiciary
Legal Aid
Director of Intellectual Property
Rights of the Individual
United Nations Human Rights Treaties
Race Relations
Children's Rights
Equal Opportunities Commission
The Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data
Home Pages
Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese
Table of Contents Constitution and Administration The Legal System The Economy Financial and Monetary Affairs Commerce and Industry Employment Education Health Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries Social Welfare Housing Land, Public Works and Utilities Transport The Environment Travel and Tourism Public Order Communications, the Media and Information Technology Religion and Custom Recreation, Sport and the Arts Population and Immigration History Appendices PRINT
Continuation of the legal system

Common law principles, and nearly all the ordinances that were in force before July 1, 1997, continue to apply in the HKSAR. Some ordinances required adaptation to bring them into line with the Basic Law and to reflect Hong Kong's new status as a Special Administrative Region of the PRC. Most of these ordinances have now been adapted and those that have not require further consideration of the policy issues involved.

The existing courts and tribunals were re-established on July 1, 1997 (though some were renamed). The Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal was established on that date and replaced the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as the highest court of appeal for Hong Kong. All serving judges were reappointed by the HKSAR's Chief Executive on July 1, 1997. All judicial proceedings that had been instituted before July 1, 1997 were continued by virtue of the Hong Kong Reunification Ordinance.

 

 

 

 

 


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