The Government will introduce the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 into the Legislative Council (LegCo) to make miscellaneous amendments to various enactments. The opportunity is also taken to make straightforward adaptation or amendment of provisions of, or references in, various enactments that are inconsistent with the constitutional status of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; and to repeal obsolete provisions or references in various enactments.
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said today (April 2) that the proposed amendments in the Bill are mainly those arising from the Systematic Review of Statutory Laws of Hong Kong, as well as some amendments that do not relate to the exercise. The amendments included are largely minor, technical and non-controversial but are useful for the purpose of updating or improving the relevant legislation.
In 2022, the Law Reform Commission Secretariat spearheaded the Systematic Review of Statutory Laws of Hong Kong, which consists of work mainly in three aspects: (1) adaptation of laws; (2) consolidation of laws; and (3) repeal of obsolete laws. Among them, the adaptation of laws refers to the process of identifying and amending certain provisions or references in enactments that were in force in Hong Kong before July 1, 1997, so that they are consistent with the Basic Law and the status of Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, and properly reflect the policy intent of the relevant policy bureaux.
The Bill amends references including "Crown", "Governor", "Secretary of State", and "Her Majesty", as well as references to legislation of the United Kingdom, "overseas", "country" and "country or territory", among others, in various enactments. It also updates or amends certain texts, references or terminology in specific ordinances and subsidiary legislation. Furthermore, the Bill repeals a number of enactments, or certain provisions or references therein, which have become obsolete, and makes miscellaneous minor or technical amendments to some enactments.
No objection has been received from stakeholders whom the relevant policy bureau or independent body had consulted, as necessary, in respect of the proposed amendments concerned. The Department of Justice has issued an information paper to the LegCo Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services in February this year, briefing members of the Panel on the major legislative proposals to be included in the Bill.
The Bill will be gazetted tomorrow (April 3) and will be introduced into the LegCo on April 16.
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