High Court
69-597: The Societies Ordinance is a piece of primary legislation in Hong Kong . It was enacted in 1911 and has undergone major revisions. The Ordinance regulates incorporated and unincorporated associations of persons (broadly defined as "societies") and requires registrations (unless regulated under a different ordinance or otherwise exempted). In other words, it prohibits informal or secret societies and poses limits to freedom of association . It also prohibits triad societies and modern successor gangs. The legislative history of
138-640: A free port . This had been closed by the British Government in 1989 following the Rushdie Affair . Bhutan , which did not have diplomatic relations with either Beijing or Taipei at the time of the transfer of sovereignty, was able to maintain an honorary consulate in Hong Kong, accredited to Macau. The following countries, which recognise Taiwan as the Republic of China , previously had consulates in Hong Kong before 1997. Paraguay
207-663: A breach of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights or inconsistency with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as applied to Hong Kong is an issue. For the merits test, the Director must be satisfied that an applicant has reasonable grounds for bringing or defending the civil proceedings to which the application relates. A person aggrieved by a decision of the Director may appeal to the Registrar of
276-618: A judge may himself grant aid if the applicant has satisfied the means test. Applicants in cases involving a charge of murder , treason , or piracy with violence may apply to a judge for granting of legal aid, and exemption from the means test and from payment of contribution. Consular missions in Hong Kong As of May 2024, there are 70 diplomatic missions in Hong Kong , of which 62 are consulates-general and 8 are officially recognised bodies in Hong Kong . As Hong Kong has
345-491: A member or associated member of the Commonwealth . As Hong Kong was a Colony (later Dependent Territory ) of a Commonwealth country, some Commonwealth countries were represented by Commissions before the handover including Australia , Bangladesh , Canada , New Zealand , India , Malaysia , Nigeria and Singapore . After the transfer of sovereignty, they were renamed Consulates-General . Similarly,
414-516: A month later. However, it later restored diplomatic relations with Beijing in 2003. As a result of the transfer of sovereignty, North Korea , which had not been allowed to establish a trade mission in Hong Kong during British rule, was able to open a Consulate-General in February 2000. Similarly, Iran was also able to re-establish its Consulate-General, giving rise to concerns that the country could gain access to arms smuggled through Hong Kong,
483-571: A ruling published in December 2013. The ruling drew on case law from across various common law jurisdictions and confirmed that the courts can interpret contracts using "commercial common sense", but cannot "construct" a contract to accommodate the profit or other expectations of any of the parties to the contract. Family law in Hong Kong is heavily modelled on its counterpart in England and Wales with important modifications. Hong Kong does not have
552-404: A society connected with another unlawful society, and allowed the Registrar to rescind the exemption with any society that attempted to politically influence a school. The Societies Ordinance was under review after the enactment of the 1991 Bill of Rights Ordinance , in the light of the concerns of the Hong Kong people over their civil liberties after Tiananmen Square Massacre of 1989, which had
621-485: A statutory matrimonial property regime. There is no system of "community of property" and property rights are not in principle affected by marriage. Instead, the family courts have very broad discretion to make a range of financial orders upon a decree of divorce pursuant to the " Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Ordinance (Cap 192) ", namely for: periodical payments, secured periodical payments, lump sum payments, transfers or sale of property, settlement of property (into
690-575: A trust), and variation of settlements. Similarly, there are powers to make orders for maintenance pending suit once divorce proceedings have begun. These are interim measures that will end once the final divorce decree is granted. In making final financial orders in favour of a spouse, courts are guided by four principles: (i) the objective of fairness, (ii) rejection of discrimination, (iii) the yardstick of equal division, and (iv) rejection of minute retrospective investigation (see " LKW v DD " [2010] HKCFA 70; [2010] 6 HKC 528). They are also required to consider
759-920: A war situation, for a state of emergency to be declared. Hence, the laws in force are in hierarchical order are The Hong Kong Basic Law ; legislation in force before 1 July 1997 that was adopted as laws of the HKSAR by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress ; laws enacted by the Legislative Council of Hong Kong after 1997; and PRC laws listed in Annex III to the Basic Law and applied by way of promulgation or legislation; common law and equity; subordinate legislation; customary law. Currently, twelve PRC laws apply in
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#1732775879248828-523: Is currently considering references on privacy, guardianship and custody, domicile, privity of contract , advance directives , hearsay in criminal proceedings and conditional fees. In Hong Kong, the legal profession consists of both solicitors and barristers. As of 31 December 2015, there were at least 8,647 practising solicitors and 777 local law firms , plus some 77 foreign law firms, 1,299 registered foreign lawyers. And there were at least 1,378 practising barristers in 135 chambers. Even prior to
897-597: Is embodied in the Unconscionable Contracts Ordinance (UCO), Cap 458. Section 6(1) lists a number of factors which may be relevant to a consideration of " unconscionability ". In a 2003 ruling on Shum Kit Ching v Caesar Beauty Centre Ltd. , HCSA 38/2002, it was held that, in determining whether a contract is unconscionable for the purposes of section 5 of the UCO, the court must have regard to "all circumstances" relevant to that issue, as well as
966-1136: Is headed by the Secretary for Justice , who is a member of the Executive Council and is the Government's chief legal adviser. He has ultimate responsibility for the prosecution of all offences in the HKSAR. The Law Reform Commission considers and reports on such topics as may be referred to it by the Secretary for Justice or the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal of the HKSAR. Its membership includes academics, practising lawyers and prominent community members. The commission has published reports covering subjects as diverse as commercial arbitration, data protection, divorce, sale of goods and supply of services, insolvency, fraud and statutory interpretation. The recommendations in many of its reports have been implemented, either in whole or in part. It
1035-545: Is known as the Welfare Principle (see section 3 of Cap 13). In determining the best interests of the child, the court will generally have regard to the Welfare Checklist, i.e. the ascertainable wishes and feelings of the child concerned (considered in the light of the child's age and understanding); the physical, emotional and educational needs of the child; the likely effect on the child of any change in
1104-594: Is provided by the Hong Kong Basic Law , which is a piece of National Law of the People's Republic of China and has, practically, constitutional status in Hong Kong. The principle of ‘ one country, two systems ’ was enshrined in Article 5 of the Basic Law until at least 2047, which contrasts the ‘socialist system and policies’ and ‘the previous capitalist system and way of life’. The Basic Law provides that
1173-490: Is responsible for administering and enforcing the Companies Ordinance and several other related ordinances. Its primary functions include the incorporation of local companies; the registration of oversea companies; the registration of documents required to be submitted by registered companies; the deregistration of defunct, solvent private companies; the prosecution of companies and their officers for breaches of
1242-642: Is responsible for drafting and settling government land disposal and lease modification documents. LACO is also responsible for the preparation of documentation relating to the acquisition of land from private owners pursuant to statutory powers and the payment of compensation to those owners. LACO administers the Lands Department Consent Scheme to approve applications by developers to sell flats in uncompleted developments. It also approves Deeds of Mutual Covenant requiring approval under land leases. LACO also provides conveyancing services to
1311-673: Is responsible for the recovery of arrears of government rents other than rents under the Government Rent (Assessment and Collection) Ordinance. The Intellectual Property Department ( 知識產權署 ) serves as the focal point for intellectual property policy, law and acquisition and public education on intellectual property protection. It provides expert policy advice to the Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau and legal advice to other government departments on intellectual property. It comments on draft intellectual property bills. It operates
1380-603: The Chinese Constitution , which authorized the establishment of Special Administrative Regions . The Basic Law sets out the status of Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region of the PRC, the one country, two systems principle, the political structure of Hong Kong, and the rights of duties of Hong Kong residents. Administrative law in Hong Kong is heavily modelled on its counterpart in England and Wales , especially
1449-1163: The Court of Final Appeal , the High Court (which includes the Court of Appeal and the Court of First Instance ), the District Court (which includes the Family Court ), the Lands Tribunal, the Magistrates' Court (which include the Juvenile Court ), the Coroner's Court , the Labour Tribunal, the Small Claims Tribunal and the Obscene Articles Tribunal. The Department of Justice (DOJ) It consists of five professional divisions responsible for legal work. It
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#17327758792481518-619: The Financial Secretary Incorporated for the extension of non-renewable leases, the Government Property Agency for the sale and purchase of government properties and the Secretary for Home Affairs Incorporated for the purchase of accommodation for welfare purposes in private developments. It handles applications for the apportionment of premium and government rents under the Government Rent and Premium (Apportionment) Ordinance. In addition, it
1587-543: The Magic Circle law firms as well as major U.S. law firms have large presences in Hong Kong. While foreign law firms face much less strict regulations than they would in the People's Republic of China due to the "one country, two systems" rule, they have seen increasing competition from local firms as PRC firms have become more sophisticated. According to Asia Law & Business, the top foreign Hong Kong law firm of 2007
1656-743: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China requested that consulates indicate only one of the territories in their official names even if they serve both territories; it did not send this request to the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao. †. Also accredited to Macau . ‡. Consulates-general resident in Macau and accredited to Hong Kong. x. These consulate-general report directly to their respective foreign ministries , rather than to their Embassies in Beijing . When Hong Kong
1725-462: The People's Republic of China do not apply, except for a specific list in Annex III to the Basic Law, to which the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress can add or delete what it chooses. However, this may only be in the fields of "defence and foreign affairs as well as other matters outside the limits of the autonomy of the Region as specified by this Law". It also has a derogation, in
1794-616: The Postgraduate Certificate in Laws , required for starting work as a trainee solicitor or pupil barrister . The Director of Legal Aid is responsible for the administration of Home Affairs Bureau after 1 July 2007. Eligible persons are provided with legal representation depending on their financial circumstances. Legal aid is available for civil proceedings in the District Court, the Court of First Instance and
1863-572: The United States , while other consuls-general have served elsewhere as Ambassadors or High Commissioners before serving in Hong Kong, for example Australia , Germany and Israel. Various consulates general are accredited to both Hong Kong and Macau. The Philippines operates consulates in both territories, and Portugal serves Hong Kong through its Macau consulate. Several consulates serving both Hong Kong and Macau indicate both territories in their official names, while others do not. In 2018
1932-540: The transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong , Hong Kong's legal profession was open to foreign law firms allowing foreign firms to establish a much earlier foothold in Hong Kong than in the People's Republic of China. Only on 1 July 1992, in contrast, did the PRC government open her legal services market to foreign law firms when the Ministry of Justice issued the Provisional Regulation of Establishment of Offices by Foreign Law Firms regulation. Thus all of
2001-488: The " Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Ordinance (Cap 192) ". Additionally, the High Court's has broad powers under its inherent jurisdiction including wardship. In parental disputes, generally the courts are concerned with making orders for custody, care and control, and access. These orders are distinct from questions of financial responsibility for children (i.e. "maintenance"). Access is the right to have contact with
2070-502: The " one country, two systems " principle, under which Hong Kong's previous capitalist system and way of life, including the legal system, would remain unchanged for a period of 50 years until 2047. The Hong Kong Basic Law , which is a law passed by the Chinese National People's Congress , came into effect in 1997, becoming the constitutional document in Hong Kong. The law was passed in accordance with Article 31 of
2139-581: The 1990s were reverted by the NPCSC of China. The Societies Ordinance was first introduced in 1911, replacing the Triad and Secret Societies Ordinance 1887 which only control the unlawful societies during the time the criminal activities of the secret societies, notably the Triad Societies flourished, to expand its control on all the societies. The 1911 Ordinance was soon replaced in 1920 which relieved
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2208-715: The Basic Law are unconstitutional and are of no effect. Hong Kong has a Bill of Rights Ordinance which is the local adaptation of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights . Laws have been passed to ensure the human rights protected in the Basic Law and the Bill of Rights, such as the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, Disability Discrimination Ordinance, Family Status Discrimination Ordinance, Sex Discrimination Ordinance and Race Discrimination Ordinance. The law in relation to unfair contract clauses
2277-733: The Commonwealth in 1989, the name of the Pakistan Consulate General in Hong Kong also remained unchanged. At the time of the transfer of sovereignty on 1 July 1997, South Africa did not have diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China , as it had not yet transferred recognition from Taiwan . However, it was able to maintain its Consulate-General for an interim six-month period, until relations with Beijing were established on 1 January 1998. Other countries which had chosen to maintain diplomatic relations with Taipei closed their consulates in Hong Kong prior to
2346-540: The Court of Appeal (both part of the High Court), and the Court of Final Appeal. It also covers proceedings in some tribunals and certain Coroner's Court cases. An applicant must satisfy both a 'means test' and a 'merits test'. For the means test, a person whose total financial resources do not exceed $ 155,800 may be granted legal aid. The Director of Legal Aid may waive the upper financial limit in meritorious cases when
2415-555: The HKSAR. These national laws apply in Hong Kong by the Hong Kong legislature legislating on the same matter: for example, the Law of the People's Republic of China on the National Flag, a Chinese statute, takes effect in Hong Kong in form of the National Flag and National Emblem Ordinance, a local statute enacted by the local legislature. The Basic Law contains provisions that offer protection for human rights. Any laws that contravene
2484-728: The HKSAR. Using the name "Hong Kong, China", the HKSAR also participates on its own as a full member in international organisations and conferences not limited to states, e.g. the World Trade Organization , the World Customs Organization , the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation , etc. As part of the delegation of the People's Republic of China, representatives of the HKSAR Government participate in activities of
2553-781: The Hague Conference, as well as of other international organisations and conferences limited to states, such as the International Monetary Fund , the World Intellectual Property Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization . It is fundamental to Hong Kong's legal system that members of the judiciary are independent of the executive and legislative branches of government. The courts of justice in Hong Kong are
2622-508: The High Court. Legal aid is available for committal proceedings in the Magistrates' Courts; cases tried in the District Court and the Court of First Instance of the High Court; and appeals from the Magistrates' Courts, and to the Court of Appeal of the High Court or the Court of Final Appeal. An applicant must satisfy the means test criteria which are the same as for civil cases. Notwithstanding that an applicant's financial resources exceed
2691-546: The Hong Kong SAR government officially declared HKNP to be an illegal society and banned the operation of HKNP. Laws of Hong Kong District Court Magistrates' Court Special courts and tribunals: Chief Executive Elections Legislative elections District council elections Consular missions in Hong Kong Hong Kong–China relations Hong Kong–Taiwan relations The law of
2760-560: The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has its foundation in the English common law system, inherited from being a former British colony and dependent territory . There are several sources of law, the primary ones being statutes enacted by the Legislative Council of Hong Kong and case law made by decisions of the courts of Hong Kong. Since the handover in 1997, the constitutional framework
2829-412: The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Article 8 stipulates that all laws in force before 1997, including the common law, rules of equity, ordinances, subordinate legislation and customary law shall be maintained, except for any that contravene this Law, and subject to any amendment by the legislature of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Article 18 states, further, that national laws, from
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2898-560: The People's Republic of China in Hong Kong is represented through While Taiwan is represented through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Hong Kong . Countries with no consulate-general in Hong Kong, are most likely to have an embassy in Beijing , making it the closest diplomatic mission for residents in Hong Kong. A few consuls-general in Hong Kong have the rank of Ambassador, including Brazil, Japan, Philippines and
2967-602: The Societies Ordinance is similar to the Public Order Ordinance . Their roots can be traced to the draconian anti-communist law in Singapore. They were gradually relaxed, up to the 1992 when they were brought in line with international human rights standards by the outgoing government and the second last Legislative Council (1992–1995). Upon Hong Kong handover , the human rights amendments in
3036-429: The child's circumstances; the child's age, sex, background and any characteristics of the child's which the court considers relevant; any harm the child has suffered or is at risk of suffering; how capable each of the parents, and any other person in relation to whom the court considers the question to be relevant, is of meeting the child's needs; the range of powers available to the court in the proceedings in question; and
3105-402: The child, it may be unsupervised or supervised (i.e. where there are concerns about the impact of contact on the child); undefined (sometimes "reasonable" or "generous") or defined (i.e. at times specified in the order); staying (a.k.a. overnight) or "day-time". Care and control is the right to make day-to-day decisions about the child; it should not be confused with "shared care" and the notion of
3174-545: The common law system shall be maintained. Some commentators described the theoretically hybrid system of civil law and common law as unique, although there are similar arrangements all over the world. Other commentators point to the socialist law tradition instead of the civil law tradition. Primary legislation in Hong Kong are usually known as ‘Ordinances’, instead of ‘Acts’. The published, consolidated copies of Ordinances are given chapter numbers in Laws of Hong Kong and in
3243-561: The duty of a society to register, but instead to outlaw the Triad Society and its associated rituals. Moreover, it gave the Governor-in-Council the power to ban any society deemed to be injurious to law and order in Hong Kong. The registration of a society was reinstated in the 1949 amendment which gave the government extensive powers of supervision. Any association of ten or more persons "whatever its nature or object"
3312-404: The effect of repealing any previous laws which was inconsistent with it. Major amendments were made to the Societies Ordinance in 1992 which largely relaxed the restriction on the registration of a society. After the handover of Hong Kong , the 1992 amendments were rolled back by the Beijing-controlled Provisional Legislative Council (PLC) in 1997, which reinstated the provisions of the power of
3381-427: The estates of insolvent companies ordered to be wound up by the court under the winding-up provisions of the Companies Ordinance and of individuals or partners declared bankrupt by the court under the Bankruptcy Ordinance. The Land Registry ( 土地註冊處 ) administers the Land Registration Ordinance governing the system of land registration and provides facilities for search of the Land Register and related records by
3450-416: The factors listed in section 6(1). The Hong Kong Consumer Council has commented that this ruling leads the court "to tend to focus on the totality of the circumstances and conduct that give rise to unfairness in the bargaining process rather than the meaning and effect of the term alone". In this case, the beauty centre issued terms which stated the full cost of a treatment would be forfeited if an appointment
3519-404: The first British Consul-General following the transfer of sovereignty to China , on July 1, 1997. During the negotiations between Britain and China on the future of Hong Kong, the British proposed the establishment of a "British Commissioner" following the transfer of sovereignty to China, which the Chinese rejected as an attempt to make the future Hong Kong Special Administrative Region into
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#17327758792483588-399: The following non-exhaustive list of factors (see section 7(1) of the Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Ordinance (Cap 192). The family courts have broad jurisdiction to deal with the welfare of children under the provisions of the " Guardianship of Minors Ordinance (Cap 13) ", the " Separation and Maintenance Orders Ordinance (Cap 16) ", the " Matrimonial Causes Ordinance (Cap 179) " and
3657-418: The general principle that any delay is likely to prejudice the welfare of the child: see " H v N [2012] 5 HKLRD 498; [2012] HKCFI 1533 ". The jurisdiction of the family courts to deal with divorce, separation and nullity of marriage is set out in the " Separation and Maintenance Orders Ordinance (Cap 16) " and the " Matrimonial Causes Ordinance (Cap 179) ". The Companies Registry ( 公司註冊處 )
3726-537: The government to refuse to register a political body "that has a connection with a foreign political organisation" and the requirement to register with the police. In July 2018, the Hong Kong Police Force issued a notice under the Societies Ordinance to ban the Hong Kong National Party , a pro-independence party, on the basis that the party has engaged in sedition and that the party may be banned on grounds of "national security, public safety, public order, protection of freedom and rights of others." On 24 September 2018,
3795-429: The law of judicial review. This applies both to the procedure and grounds of judicial review, though there is some divergence in various areas. Some aspects of administrative law, for example administrative tribunals, were originally modelled on their counterparts in England and Wales but have not been systematically reformed for decades. The Hong Kong Basic Law contains the essentials of the constitutional framework in
3864-418: The official online database. Some National Laws on foreign affairs and the national flag apply directly in Hong Kong by virtue of stipulations in Article 18 and Annex III of the Basic Law. The imposition of the National Law on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR has been authorized by a National People's Congress Decision which, in a practical sense, overrides the Basic Law. Hong Kong's legal system
3933-400: The primary caregiver. Custody is the right to make all important decisions affecting the child and it is generally awarded to one parent ("sole custody") or shared between both parents ("joint custody"): see " PD v KWW (Joint Custody, Care and Control) " [2010] 4 HKLRD 191; [2010] HKCA 172. The paramount consideration for the court is always the welfare (or "best interests") of the child; this
4002-414: The public and government departments. It has responsibility for the registration of owners corporations under the Building Management Ordinance. The Legal Advisory and Conveyancing Office (LACO, 法律諮詢及田土轉易處) is part of the Lands Department. It provides legal advice primarily to the Lands Administration Office of the Lands Department and other government departments on land related matters and ordinances. LACO
4071-448: The registries of trade marks , patents and designs . It is also responsible for registration of copyright licensing bodies. Under the Basic Law, the HKSAR has a high degree of autonomy in external affairs. With the authority of the Central People's Government where necessary, it has concluded more than a hundred bilateral agreements with other jurisdictions. In addition, over 200 multilateral international conventions are applicable to
4140-483: The status of a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, some consuls-general in Hong Kong report directly to their respective foreign ministries , rather than to their Embassies in Beijing . Most of the consulates-general are located in the areas of Central , Admiralty , Wan Chai , Wan Chai North , Causeway Bay and Sheung Wan on Hong Kong Island and a handful in Kowloon . A few are also accredited to Macau . The central government of
4209-411: The statutory limit, the Director of Legal Aid may grant legal aid to the applicant if the Director is satisfied that it is desirable in the interests of justice to do so. However, in appeal cases, the Director of Legal Aid must be satisfied that there are meritorious grounds for appeal with a reasonable prospect of success. Notwithstanding the refusal of a legal aid application by the Director of Legal Aid,
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#17327758792484278-435: The title of the head of mission was also changed, from Commissioner to Consul-General . However, the Australian Commission had been renamed the Consulate-General in 1986. Although South Africa rejoined the Commonwealth in 1994, and its Embassies in Commonwealth countries were renamed High Commissions, the name of the South African Consulate General in Hong Kong remained unchanged. Similarly, while Pakistan had rejoined
4347-428: The transfer of sovereignty, such as Paraguay , which closed its consulate on May 11, 1997. Earlier, it had considered relocating to Macau , which was then still under Portuguese administration . The Central African Republic , Costa Rica , and the Dominican Republic also closed their consulates, while Liberia , with which China had broken off diplomatic relations in September 1997, was forced to close its consulate
4416-435: The various regulatory provisions of the Companies Ordinance; the provision of facilities to inspect and obtain company information; and advising the Government on policy and legislative issues regarding company law and related legislation, including the Overall Review of the Companies Ordinance. When appointed by the court and creditors, the Official Receiver ( 破產管理署 ) is responsible for the proper and orderly administration of
4485-421: Was Johnson Stokes & Master (now Mayer Brown JSM ) while the top PRC law firm was King & Wood PRC Lawyers . Chinese firms have seen rapid growth in Hong Kong in the past several years after reunification. The legal bodies governing the conduct of solicitors and barristers are the Law Society of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Bar Association , respectively. There are currently three law schools offering
4554-504: Was cancelled. The court held that "loss" was limited to "loss of profit" and therefore the total treatment cost could not be treated as a genuine pre-estimate of loss. A review of the extent to which the courts in Hong Kong could consider the commercial purpose of the parties when interpreting a commercial contract was occasioned by the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal 's consideration of the lower courts' rulings in Sinoearn International Ltd v Hyundai - CCECC Joint Venture (A Firm) , with
4623-477: Was developed under British governance, based on the English common law . Under British rule, the constitutional documents that governed Hong Kong were the Letters Patent and the Royal Instructions , and judicial cases were generally appealable to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in the UK. In the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration , the UK and the PRC mutually agreed that Hong Kong would be returned to China after 1997. Hong Kong would be governed by
4692-402: Was required to register. The words "foreign political organisations" were also mentioned for the first time in the bill in the light of the influx of migrants from the Chinese Civil War between the Nationalists and the Communists . After the 1956 Double Ten Riots which resulted in more than 6,000 arrests, the government introduced amendments that included the extension of the provisions to
4761-400: Was under British rule , the Governor represented the British government , as well as the British monarch as head of state . Matters relating to British nationality were handled by the Hong Kong Immigration Department . However, the United Kingdom 's commercial interests were represented by the British Trade Commission . The last Senior Trade Commissioner, Francis Cornish , became
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