Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 to be introduced into LegCo
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A spokesperson for the Department of Justice (DoJ) said today (June 24) that the Law Reform Commission Secretariat spearheaded the Systematic Review of Statutory Laws of Hong Kong in 2022 to handle, with priority, the adaptation of laws, while also attending to the consolidation of laws and repeal of obsolete laws. The DoJ already introduced two omnibus bills, one in 2024 and the other in 2025, on behalf of different policy bureaux, to deal with adaptation of laws amendments collectively. With the DoJ introducing legislative proposals under the present Bill, alongside any other bill or amendment to subsidiary legislation taken forward in a timely manner by the relevant bureaux, it is promising that the target of completing the adaptation of laws exercise by the end of this term of Government can be met.
The proposed amendments in the present Bill are largely minor, technical and non-controversial but are useful for the purpose of updating or improving the relevant enactments. The proposed amendments can be broadly categorised into two groups, namely those arising from the Systematic Review of Statutory Laws of Hong Kong, and those not so related. The Bill amends references such as "Crown", "Governor", "Her Majesty", "Secretary of State", "Government of the United Kingdom", "foreign" or "overseas", and also those to "Commonwealth" and legislation of the United Kingdom, among others, in various enactments. It also updates or amends certain texts, references or terminology in specific ordinances or subsidiary legislation. Furthermore, the Bill repeals a number of enactments or certain provisions or references therein, which have become obsolete, and makes minor or technical miscellaneous amendments to some enactments.
The DoJ issued an information paper to the LegCo Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services last month, briefing members of the Panel on the major legislative proposals to be included in the Bill. The relevant policy bureaux and independent organisations have consulted the relevant stakeholders and no objection to the proposed amendments was received.
The Bill will be gazetted on June 26 and will be introduced into the LegCo on July 8.
Ends/Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:45
Issued at HKT 16:45
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