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"The precise forum in which these proposals will be discussed and the precise mechanism by which the proposals will be given legislative effect have not been resolved, but our plans for the exercise have been fully explained to the Chinese side through the JLG channel," Mr Mathews said.
He added: "It is clear that a great deal of work has been done in the two areas of localisation and adaptation of laws, and more remains to be done.
"My department is pushing ahead with the work and our programmes will allow us to complete the work in a timely fashion.
"I am confident that as a result of our work, the integrity of the Hong Kong statute book will be maintained after 1 July 1997."
Mr Mathews said another aspect of the Legal Department's work in preparing for the transition was that of enhancing mutual understanding with their legal counterparts in the Peoples' Republic of China and establishing a good working relationship with them.
"Just as personal friendships require constant nurturing and repair, relationships between institutions in different jurisdictions require constant effort and determination to ensure mutual understanding," he noted.
Mr Mathews added that channels for achieving such understanding with Chinese legal officials included organising visits to and from China, and holding briefings for visitors from China.
He said in 1994, there was a total of 16 incoming visits and four outgoing visits. This year, there had so far been 16 incoming visits and nine outgoing visits.
"One of these was my own visit to Beijing and Shanghai, where I had the opportunity to discuss many issues of common interest," Mr Mathews said.
He said all these efforts were directed towards the smooth transfer of sovereignty, the preservation of our common law system, and the continued maintenance of the rule of law.
He said he had heard of some people painting a picture of the rule of law being swept away as if by some evil deluge of Biblical proportions at the stroke of midnight on June 30, 1997.
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