TNAG-1259-FCO40-1599-The-Future-of-Hong-Kong---special-study-by-FCO--August-1982--1983 — Page 29

HONG KONG STUDY

ANNEX L

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LEGAL SYSTEM IN HONG KONG

PART I: THE LAWS OF THE TERRITORY

Present Position

1. The municipal law of Hong Kong, like that of most

colonies, derives from English common law, as modified

by: -

a)

b)

c)

d)

UK statutes extending to Hong Kong of their own force or applying there by reason of their adoption;

United Kingdom Orders in Council made

in respect of Hong Kong either under United Kingdom Statutes or the Royal prerogative;

Ordinances enacted by the local

legislature;

Subsidiary legislation under the fore-

going under United Kingdom statutes, UK

2.

Orders in Council or local Ordinances.

There are no laws of Chinese origin operating in the

colony except where Chinese custom has (to a limited extent)

been incorporated into the municipal law, in other words

the system of law has a British stamp and is

administered by courts of a British type (see Part II of

this Annex). Written laws are in English and the courts

administer them in English, with the assistance of

interpreters.

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