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Legislative Drafting in Hong Kong (2nd Edition)

Legislation is a primary source of our law. It is therefore vital for anyone wishing to understand Hong Kong's legal system to have an appreciation of how our legislation is prepared and enacted. This booklet gives an overview of the drafting and legislative processes and accordingly will be of interest not only to professionals but also to anyone with an interest in understanding our legal system.

Legislative drafting is perhaps the most demanding form of legal drafting. Certainly, in view of its social consequences, it is the most significant. It is therefore, in our view, of fundamental importance to have a centralised office of dedicated professionals to ensure that we produce legislation of a high standard, that is consistent, conceptually sound and legally enforceable. The Law Drafting Division of the Department of Justice is charged with this key responsibility. The description of the functions of the Law Drafting Division in this booklet is, in addition, a further example of our efforts to make the workings of Government more transparent.

The booklet will be of interest to anyone who wishes to have a better understanding of our legal system and in particular, of how our legislation is prepared and enacted. I hope that it will promote a wider and better understanding not only of the workings of this important Division of the Department of Justice but of the rule of law in Hong Kong as well.

Elsie Leung
Secretary for Justice

Please click here to view: Legislative Drafting in Hong Kong (2nd Edition) [, file size: 301KB].