港澳法视界｜香港法律制度介绍（一）——《基本法》以及基本司法制度

Preface

With the increasing frequency of exchanges and cooperation between mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in areas such as economy, trade, and culture, especially driven by the construction of the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area, cross-border investment, commercial exchanges, and personnel mobility between the two regions have become increasingly close. In this context, a deep understanding of Hong Kong's legal system is not only a prerequisite for ensuring smooth cross-border cooperation, but also a key to avoiding legal risks and safeguarding one's legitimate rights and interests. As a highly internationalized city, Hong Kong's legal system carries unique historical imprints and has formed distinct characteristics under the framework of "One Country, Two Systems". From the perspective of historical development, Hong Kong's legal system has undergone multiple evolutions, from the early feudal legal system to the common law system during the colonial period, and then to the autonomous legal system after the return. Each stage has laid the foundation for its current system. As the cornerstone of Hong Kong's legal system, the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China plays an irreplaceable role in safeguarding national sovereignty and ensuring a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong. At the same time, Hong Kong's judicial system is renowned worldwide for its independence, professionalism, and impartiality, becoming an important pillar supporting its position as an international financial center and commercial hub. Due to the fact that Macau (Mainland legal system) and Hong Kong (Anglo American legal system) belong to two different legal systems, there are significant differences in their legal systems in various fields. However, like the introduction series of Macao's legal system, this article will start with the historical evolution of Hong Kong's legal system, interpret the core content of the Basic Law in detail, and systematically introduce Hong Kong's basic judicial system, in order to provide comprehensive reference for people from all walks of life who are concerned about Hong Kong's legal environment.

（维多利亚港 摄影：李哲凡）

香港的法律制度并非一蹴而就，而是在漫长的历史进程中逐步形成和发展的，其演变轨迹与香港的政治地位变迁紧密相连，大致可分为四个主要阶段。

The legal system in Hong Kong is not achieved overnight, but gradually formed and developed over a long historical process. Its evolution trajectory is closely related to the changes in Hong Kong's political status, and can be roughly divided into four main stages.

在1842年英国殖民统治之前，香港地区属于中国清朝的管辖范围，其法律制度自然以清朝的封建法制为基础。这一时期，香港的司法与行政职能并未分离，地方行政官员同时兼任司法裁判者的角色，司法权完全依附于行政权。法律渊源主要是清朝的律例，涵盖了刑事、民事等多个领域，其核心目的是维护封建等级秩序和礼教纲常。例如，在处理土地纠纷、婚姻家庭问题时，不仅要依据朝廷的律例，还要遵循当地的传统习俗和宗族规范。司法裁判过程中，“礼”与“法”相互交织，强调道德教化与社会稳定，而非现代意义上的权利保护。这一时期的法律制度带有浓厚的封建色彩，服务于封建王朝的统治需要，与后来的法律体系存在本质区别。

Before British colonial rule in 1842, Hong Kong was under the jurisdiction of the Qing Dynasty of China, and its legal system was naturally based on the feudal legal system of the Qing Dynasty. During this period, the judicial and administrative functions in Hong Kong were not separated, and local administrative officials also served as judicial adjudicators, with judicial power completely dependent on administrative power. The main source of law is the laws and regulations of the Qing Dynasty, covering multiple fields such as criminal and civil law. Its core purpose is to maintain feudal hierarchical order and ethical norms. For example, when dealing with land disputes and marriage and family issues, it is not only necessary to follow the laws and regulations of the court, but also to adhere to local traditional customs and clan norms. In the process of judicial judgment, "ritual" and "law" are intertwined, emphasizing moral education and social stability rather than the protection of rights in the modern sense. The legal system during this period had a strong feudal color, serving the needs of feudal dynasties and fundamentally different from the later legal system.

1842年，第一次鸦片战争结束后，清政府与英国签订《南京条约》，将香港岛割让给英国，香港由此进入殖民统治时期，其法律制度也随之发生根本性转变。英国在占领香港后，逐步将其本土的普通法体系引入香港，形成了以普通法为核心的法律制度。这一时期的法律制度具有以下特点：

In 1842, after the end of the First Opium War, the Qing government signed the Treaty of Nanjing with Britain, ceding Hong Kong Island to Britain. As a result, Hong Kong entered a period of colonial rule, and its legal system underwent fundamental changes. After occupying Hong Kong, Britain gradually introduced its local common law system into Hong Kong, forming a legal system with common law as its core. The legal system during this period had the following characteristics:

首先，法律体系以英国普通法为基础。英国的普通法、衡平法以及议会制定的成文法被大量移植到香港，成为香港法律的主要渊源。法官在裁判案件时遵循 “遵循先例” 原则，即下级法院必须遵循上级法院的判例，同级法院也需遵循自身以往的判例，这一原则至今仍是香港法律制度的重要特征。

Firstly, the legal system is based on English common law. The common law, equity law, and written laws enacted by Parliament in the UK have been extensively transplanted to Hong Kong, becoming the main source of Hong Kong law. Judges follow the principle of "following precedent" when adjudicating cases, which means that lower courts must follow the precedents of higher courts, and same level courts must also follow their own past precedents. This principle is still an important feature of Hong Kong's legal system to this day.

其次，司法体系逐步建立。英国在香港设立了多层次的法院体系，包括地方法院、最高法院（后分为高等法院和上诉法院）等，并引入了陪审团制度，用于审理重大刑事案件，确保司法过程的公正性。同时，为了适应香港华人社会的特点，英国殖民者在一定程度上保留了华人的传统习俗，例如在婚姻、继承等领域允许适用华人的习惯法，但这种保留始终处于殖民统治的框架之下，未能改变法律制度的殖民本质。

Secondly, the judicial system is gradually being established. The UK has established a multi-level court system in Hong Kong, including the District Court, the Supreme Court (later divided into the High Court and the Court of Appeal), and introduced a jury system to hear major criminal cases and ensure the fairness of the judicial process. At the same time, in order to adapt to the characteristics of the Chinese community in Hong Kong, British colonizers to some extent preserved the traditional customs of the Chinese, such as allowing the application of Chinese customary law in areas such as marriage and inheritance. However, this reservation remained within the framework of colonial rule and failed to change the colonial nature of the legal system.

最后，法律自主权受限。在殖民时期，香港的立法权由英国议会和香港总督共同行使，终审权则归属英国枢密院司法委员会，香港本地的法律制度完全依附于英国，缺乏真正的独立性。这种法律制度本质上是为英国的殖民统治服务的，其核心目的是维护英国在香港的利益，而非保障香港居民的权利。

Finally, legal autonomy is limited. During the colonial period, the legislative power in Hong Kong was jointly exercised by the British Parliament and the Governor of Hong Kong, while the power of final appeal belonged to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. The local legal system in Hong Kong was completely dependent on Britain and lacked true independence. This legal system is essentially serving the colonial rule of Britain, with the core purpose of safeguarding Britain's interests in Hong Kong, rather than protecting the rights of Hong Kong residents.

1984年，中英两国政府签署《关于香港问题的联合声明》，确认中国政府将于1997年7月1日恢复对香港行使主权，并设立香港特别行政区。此后，香港进入法律制度的过渡时期，其主要任务是为回归后的法律体系做好准备，确保法律制度的平稳过渡。

In 1984, the Chinese and British governments signed the Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong, confirming that the Chinese government would resume exercising sovereignty over Hong Kong on July 1, 1997 and establish the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Afterwards, Hong Kong entered a transitional period of legal system, with the main task of preparing for the post reunification legal system and ensuring a smooth transition of the legal system.

在这一时期，香港开展了大规模的法律本地化工作。所谓法律本地化，是指将原本适用于香港的英国法律转化为香港本地法律，删除其中与“一国两制”原则相抵触的内容，并根据香港的实际情况进行调整。这一过程涉及大量法律的修订和重订，工作量巨大，但其为回归后香港法律体系的独立性奠定了基础。

During this period, Hong Kong carried out large-scale legal localization work. The so-called legal localization refers to the transformation of British laws originally applicable to Hong Kong into local laws in Hong Kong, the deletion of content that conflicts with the principle of "one country, two systems", and adjustments based on the actual situation in Hong Kong. This process involves a large amount of legal revisions and revisions, with a huge workload, but it laid the foundation for the independence of Hong Kong's legal system after its return.

同时，司法体系也进行了相应的改革。为了实现回归后司法独立的目标，香港开始培养本地司法人才，逐步提升本地法官在司法体系中的比例，并为设立香港终审法院做准备，以取代英国枢密院司法委员会的终审权。此外，《基本法》的起草工作也在这一时期完成，为回归后的法律制度确立了基本框架。

At the same time, the judicial system has also undergone corresponding reforms. In order to achieve the goal of judicial independence after the return, Hong Kong has begun to cultivate local judicial talents, gradually increasing the proportion of local judges in the judicial system, and preparing for the establishment of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal to replace the final jurisdiction of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in the United Kingdom. In addition, the drafting of the Basic Law was also completed during this period, establishing the basic framework for the legal system after the return.

1997年7月1日，香港正式回归祖国，设立香港特别行政区，进入“一国两制”框架下的自治法制时期。根据《基本法》的规定，香港特别行政区享有高度自治权，其法律制度在保留原有普通法传统的基础上，形成了以《基本法》为核心的独特体系。这一时期的法律制度具有以下特征：

On July 1, 1997, Hong Kong officially returned to the motherland and established the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, entering the period of autonomous legal system under the framework of "One Country, Two Systems". According to the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region enjoys a high degree of autonomy, and its legal system has formed a unique system centered on the Basic Law while retaining the original common law tradition. The legal system during this period had the following characteristics:

第一，法律体系以《基本法》为基础。《基本法》作为香港特别行政区的宪制性法律，是香港所有法律的立法依据，任何法律、法令、行政法规都不得与《基本法》相抵触。同时，香港保留了回归前已生效的普通法、衡平法和本地立法（除与《基本法》抵触者外），确保了法律制度的连续性和稳定性。

Firstly, the legal system is based on the Basic Law. The Basic Law, as the constitutional law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, serves as the legislative basis for all laws in Hong Kong. No law, decree, or administrative regulation may conflict with the Basic Law. At the same time, Hong Kong has retained the common law, equity law, and local legislation that were in effect before the return (except for those that conflict with the Basic Law), ensuring the continuity and stability of the legal system.

第二，高度自治权得到充分体现。香港特别行政区享有立法权、行政管理权、独立的司法权和终审权。立法会作为香港的立法机关，有权根据《基本法》和本地实际情况制定法律；司法机关独立行使审判权，不受任何干涉；终审法院作为最高审判机关，行使终审权，彻底改变了殖民时期终审权归属英国的局面。

Secondly, the high degree of autonomy is fully reflected. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region enjoys legislative power, executive management power, independent judicial power, and final adjudication power. As the legislative body of Hong Kong, the Legislative Council has the power to enact laws in accordance with the Basic Law and local conditions; The judicial organs exercise judicial power independently and are not subject to any interference; As the highest judicial body, the Court of Final Appeal exercises the power of final appeal, completely changing the situation during the colonial period where the power of final appeal belonged to Britain.

第三，法律制度不断适应时代发展。回归后，香港根据社会经济发展的需要，制定了一系列新的法律，例如在知识产权保护、数据隐私、反洗钱等领域出台了符合国际标准的法规，使法律制度更加适应全球化和信息化的发展趋势。

Thirdly, the legal system continuously adapts to the development of the times. After the return, Hong Kong formulated a series of new laws in response to the needs of socio-economic development, such as regulations that comply with international standards in areas such as intellectual property protection, data privacy, and anti money laundering, making the legal system more adaptable to the trends of globalization and informatization.

《基本法》是香港特别行政区的根本大法，其制定和实施标志着“一国两制”构想在香港的制度化、法律化，为香港的稳定与发展提供了坚实的法律保障。

The Basic Law is the fundamental law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and its formulation and implementation mark the institutionalization and legalization of the "One Country, Two Systems" concept in Hong Kong, providing solid legal protection for the stability and development of Hong Kong.

20世纪80年代，随着中国改革开放的推进和国际形势的变化，解决香港问题成为中英两国政府的重要议题。1984年，中英两国签署《关于香港问题的联合声明》，明确规定香港回归后将设立特别行政区，实行“一国两制”政策。为了将这一政策具体化、法律化，全国人民代表大会决定制定《基本法》。

In the 1980s, with the advancement of China's reform and opening up and changes in the international situation, solving the Hong Kong issue became an important issue for the governments of China and Britain. In 1984, China and Britain signed the Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong, which clearly stipulated that a special administrative region would be established after Hong Kong's return and implemented the policy of "one country, two systems". In order to make this policy concrete and legal, the National People's Congress decided to formulate the Basic Law.

《基本法》的起草工作始于1985年，由全国人民代表大会设立的基本法起草委员会负责。起草委员会由内地和香港的各界人士组成，其中香港委员占比约40%，充分体现了广泛的代表性。在起草过程中，起草委员会广泛征求香港社会各界的意见，先后召开了多次座谈会和咨询会，收集到大量建议和反馈。经过近五年的调研、讨论和修改，《基本法》草案于1990年4月4日由第七届全国人民代表大会第三次会议通过，并于1997年7月1日香港回归之日正式实施。

The drafting of the Basic Law began in 1985 and is the responsibility of the Basic Law Drafting Committee established by the National People's Congress. The drafting committee is composed of people from various sectors in mainland China and Hong Kong, with Hong Kong members accounting for about 40%, fully reflecting broad representativeness. During the drafting process, the drafting committee extensively solicited opinions from various sectors of Hong Kong society, held multiple symposiums and consultation meetings, and collected a large number of suggestions and feedback. After nearly five years of research, discussion and amendment, the draft of the Basic Law was adopted by the Third Session of the Seventh National People's Congress on April 4, 1990, and officially implemented on July 1, 1997, the date of Hong Kong's return.

《基本法》的制定过程充分体现了“一国两制”的精神，既维护了国家的主权、安全和发展利益，又充分考虑了香港的历史、文化和社会现实，是全国人民代表大会与香港社会各界共同努力的成果。

The formulation of the Basic Law fully embodies the spirit of "one country, two systems", which not only upholds the country's sovereignty, security and development interests, but also fully considers the history, culture and social reality of Hong Kong. It is the result of the joint efforts of the National People's Congress and all sectors of Hong Kong society.

《基本法》共九章一百六十条，内容涵盖了香港特别行政区的各个方面，包括总则、中央和香港特别行政区的关系、居民的基本权利和义务、政治体制、经济、文化和社会事务等。其核心原则可以概括为以下几点：

The Basic Law consists of nine chapters and 160 articles, covering various aspects of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, including general provisions, the relationship between the Central Government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the basic rights and obligations of residents, the political system, economy, culture, and social affairs. The core principles can be summarized as follows:

1. “一国两制”原则

a. The principle of 'One Country, Two Systems'

这是《基本法》的核心原则，即香港特别行政区是中华人民共和国不可分割的一部分，保持原有的资本主义制度和生活方式，五十年不变。在维护国家统一的前提下，香港享有高度自治权，这一原则既体现了国家主权的统一性，又尊重了香港的特殊历史和现实。

This is the core principle of the Basic Law, which states that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an integral part of the People's Republic of China and will maintain its original capitalist system and way of life unchanged for fifty years. On the premise of maintaining national unity, Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy, which reflects the unity of national sovereignty and respects Hong Kong's special history and reality.

2. 高度自治原则

b. Principle of high degree of autonomy

《基本法》赋予香港特别行政区广泛的自治权，包括行政管理权、立法权、独立的司法权和终审权。行政管理权方面，香港特别行政区政府负责处理本地的行政事务，如教育、医疗、交通等；立法权方面，立法会有权制定符合本地实际的法律，但不得与《基本法》相抵触；司法权方面，香港的司法机关独立行使审判权，不受任何干涉，终审权由终审法院行使。

The Basic Law grants the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region extensive autonomy, including administrative power, legislative power, independent judicial power, and final adjudication power. In terms of administrative power, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is responsible for handling local administrative affairs such as education, healthcare, transportation, etc; In terms of legislative power, the Legislative Council has the authority to enact laws that are in line with local realities, but must not conflict with the Basic Law; In terms of judicial power, the judicial authorities in Hong Kong independently exercise their judicial power without any interference, and the power of final appeal is exercised by the Court of Final Appeal.

3. “港人治港”原则

c. The principle of 'Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong'

《基本法》规定，香港特别行政区的行政机关和立法机关由香港永久性居民组成，确保香港居民能够自主管理香港的事务。这一原则体现了对香港居民当家作主权利的尊重，是香港高度自治的重要保障。

The Basic Law stipulates that the executive and legislative bodies of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be composed of Hong Kong permanent residents, ensuring that Hong Kong residents are able to independently manage Hong Kong affairs. This principle reflects respect for the right of Hong Kong residents to be masters of their own affairs and is an important guarantee for Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy.

4. 保障居民权利与自由原则

d. The principle of safeguarding residents' rights and freedoms

《基本法》详细规定了香港居民的基本权利和自由，包括人身自由、言论自由、出版自由、集会自由、宗教信仰自由等。这些权利和自由受到法律的保护，任何机关、团体和个人都不得侵犯。同时，《基本法》还规定香港居民在法律面前一律平等，不因种族、性别、宗教信仰等因素而受到歧视。

The Basic Law provides detailed provisions on the basic rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents, including personal freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, freedom of religious belief, etc. These rights and freedoms are protected by law and cannot be violated by any organization, group, or individual. At the same time, the Basic Law also stipulates that Hong Kong residents are equal before the law and shall not be discriminated against based on factors such as race, gender, religious beliefs, etc.

《基本法》在香港法律体系中处于最高地位，是香港特别行政区的宪制性法律，其作用主要体现在以下几个方面：

The Basic Law holds the highest position in the legal system of Hong Kong and is the constitutional law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Its role is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

首先，《基本法》是香港其他法律的立法依据。香港特别行政区的任何法律、法令、行政法规和其他规范性文件，都必须符合《基本法》的规定，不得与其相抵触。如果出现抵触，相关法律将被视为无效。这一规定确保了香港法律体系的统一性和合法性。

Firstly, the Basic Law serves as the legislative basis for other laws in Hong Kong. Any laws, regulations, administrative rules and other normative documents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region must comply with the provisions of the Basic Law and shall not conflict with it. If there is a conflict, the relevant laws will be deemed invalid. This regulation ensures the unity and legality of the Hong Kong legal system.

其次，《基本法》明确了中央与香港特别行政区的关系。它界定了中央政府与香港特别行政区的职权划分，中央政府负责国防、外交等国家层面的事务，香港特别行政区则负责本地的行政、立法和司法事务。这种权责划分既维护了国家的主权和统一，又保障了香港的高度自治。

Secondly, the Basic Law clarifies the relationship between the Central Government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It defines the division of powers between the central government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The central government is responsible for national affairs such as defense and foreign affairs, while the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is responsible for local administrative, legislative, and judicial affairs. This division of powers and responsibilities not only safeguards the sovereignty and unity of the country, but also guarantees a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong.

再次，《基本法》为香港的稳定与发展提供了法律保障。它确立了香港的政治体制、经济制度和社会政策，为香港的社会稳定和经济繁荣奠定了基础。回归以来，香港在《基本法》的保障下，保持了资本主义制度的稳定运行，经济持续发展，国际地位不断提升。

Thirdly, the Basic Law provides legal protection for the stability and development of Hong Kong. It established Hong Kong's political system, economic system, and social policies, laying the foundation for Hong Kong's social stability and economic prosperity. Since its return, Hong Kong has maintained the stable operation of the capitalist system, sustained economic development, and continuously elevated international status under the protection of the Basic Law.

最后，《基本法》是维护香港居民权利与自由的重要屏障。它对香港居民的基本权利和自由作出了明确规定，并通过司法机关的执法活动得到切实保障。香港居民能够在法律的保护下，自由地参与社会、经济和文化生活，这是香港社会活力的重要源泉。

Finally, the Basic Law is an important barrier for safeguarding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents. It has made clear provisions on the basic rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents, and has been effectively protected through the law enforcement activities of the judiciary. Hong Kong residents are able to freely participate in social, economic, and cultural life under the protection of the law, which is an important source of vitality for Hong Kong society.

香港的司法制度是其法律体系的重要组成部分，以独立、公正、高效著称，是香港保持国际竞争力的重要保障。香港的司法制度源于英国普通法体系，回归后在《基本法》的框架下继续保持其特色，并进行了适当的调整和完善。

The judicial system in Hong Kong is an important component of its legal system, known for its independence, impartiality, and efficiency, and is an important guarantee for Hong Kong to maintain its international competitiveness. The judicial system in Hong Kong originated from the common law system of the United Kingdom. After its return, it continued to maintain its characteristics within the framework of the Basic Law and made appropriate adjustments and improvements.

香港的法院组织体系层次分明，分为基层法院、中级法院和终审法院，形成了完整的司法层级。

The court organization system in Hong Kong has a clear hierarchy, divided into grassroots courts, intermediate courts, and final courts, forming a complete judicial hierarchy.

1. 基层法院

a. Grassroots courts

基层法院包括裁判法院、区域法院和各种专门法院。裁判法院是最低层级的法院，主要审理轻微的刑事案件（如盗窃、袭击等）和标的额较小的民事案件（标的额不超过5万港元）。裁判法院的审判由法官独任进行，程序相对简便。

Grassroots courts include judicial courts, regional courts, and various specialized courts. The Magistrates' Court is the lowest level of court, mainly hearing minor criminal cases (such as theft, assault, etc.) and civil cases with smaller amounts (subject amounts not exceeding HKD 50000). The trial of the judicial court is conducted solely by the judge, and the procedure is relatively simple.

区域法院则审理较严重的刑事案件和标的额较大的民事案件（标的额在5万港元至100万港元之间）。区域法院设有家事法庭、土地法庭等专门分庭，分别处理婚姻家庭、土地纠纷等特定类型的案件。区域法院的审判也由法官独任进行，但程序比裁判法院更为严格。

The district court handles more serious criminal cases and civil cases with larger amounts of subject matter (ranging from HKD 50000 to HKD 1 million). The regional court has specialized divisions such as the Family Court and the Land Court, which handle specific types of cases such as marriage and family, land disputes, etc. The trials in regional courts are also conducted solely by judges, but the procedures are stricter than those in judicial courts.

专门法院包括劳资审裁处、小额钱债审裁处、知识产权审裁处等，主要处理特定领域的纠纷。这些专门法院的程序更加简化，旨在快速解决纠纷，降低当事人的诉讼成本。

Specialized courts include labor tribunals, small debt tribunals, intellectual property tribunals, etc., mainly handling disputes in specific fields. These specialized courts have simplified procedures aimed at quickly resolving disputes and reducing litigation costs for parties involved.

2. 中级法院

b. intermediate court

中级法院即高等法院，分为原讼法庭和上诉法庭。原讼法庭拥有广泛的管辖权，审理重大的刑事案件（如谋杀、叛国等）、标的额超过100万港元的民事案件，以及涉及宪法性问题的案件。原讼法庭的审判可以由法官独任进行，也可以组成合议庭进行，具体取决于案件的复杂性。

The Intermediate Court, also known as the High Court, is divided into the Court of First Instance and the Court of Appeal. The Court of First Instance has broad jurisdiction to hear major criminal cases (such as murder, treason, etc.), civil cases with a subject matter exceeding HKD 1 million, and cases involving constitutional issues. The trial of the original court can be conducted by judges alone or by a collegial panel, depending on the complexity of the case.

上诉法庭主要负责审理对基层法院和原讼法庭判决的上诉案件。上诉法庭的审判由至少三名法官组成合议庭进行，其判决对下级法院具有约束力。

The appellate court is mainly responsible for hearing appeals against judgments made by grassroots courts and original courts. The trial of the appellate court is conducted by a panel of at least three judges, and its judgment is binding on the lower court.

3. 终审法院

c. Court of Final Appeal

终审法院是香港的最高审判机关，行使终审权。它负责审理对上诉法庭判决的上诉案件，其判决是最终的司法裁决，不得再上诉。终审法院的审判由五名法官组成合议庭进行，其中包括首席法官和四名常任法官，必要时还可以邀请其他普通法司法管辖区的法官担任非常任法官参与审判。终审法院的设立，标志着香港在回归后真正实现了司法独立和终审权的本地化。

The Court of Final Appeal is the highest judicial authority in Hong Kong, exercising the power of final appeal. It is responsible for hearing appeal cases against the judgments of the appellate court, and its judgments are final judicial rulings that cannot be appealed again. The trial of the final court is conducted by a panel of five judges, including the Chief Justice and four permanent judges. If necessary, judges from other common law jurisdictions may also be invited to serve as non permanent judges to participate in the trial. The establishment of the Court of Final Appeal marks the true realization of judicial independence and localization of the power of final appeal in Hong Kong after its return.

香港的检察机构是律政司，其主要职责是负责刑事检控、提供法律意见和代表政府参与诉讼。律政司是香港特别行政区政府的组成部门，但其在行使检控权时保持相对独立，不受政府其他部门的干涉。

The prosecution agency in Hong Kong is the Department of Justice, whose main responsibilities include criminal prosecution, providing legal advice, and representing the government in litigation. The Department of Justice is a constituent department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, but it maintains relative independence in exercising its prosecutorial powers and is not subject to interference from other government departments.

律政司的核心职能是刑事检控，即决定是否对犯罪嫌疑人提起公诉，并在法庭上代表政府进行控诉。在决定是否提起公诉时，律政司会考虑证据是否充分、是否符合公共利益等因素，确保只有在有合理理由相信被告人有罪且提起公诉符合公共利益的情况下，才会启动诉讼程序。

The core function of the Department of Justice is criminal prosecution, that is, to decide whether to prosecute suspect and to prosecute on behalf of the government in court. When deciding whether to prosecute, the Department of Justice considers factors such as sufficient evidence and whether it is in the public interest to ensure that proceedings are only initiated when there are reasonable grounds to believe that the defendant is guilty and that prosecution is in the public interest.

此外，律政司还为香港特别行政区政府的各个部门提供法律意见，协助起草法律草案，并代表政府参与民事、行政诉讼，维护政府的合法权益。律政司司长是律政司的负责人，由行政长官提名，报中央人民政府任命，其职责是领导律政司的工作，确保司法公正的实现。

In addition, the Department of Justice provides legal advice to various departments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, assists in drafting legal drafts, and represents the government in civil and administrative litigation to safeguard the government's legitimate rights and interests. The Secretary for Justice is the head of the Department of Justice, nominated by the Chief Executive and appointed by the Central People's Government. His responsibility is to lead the work of the Department of Justice and ensure the realization of judicial fairness.

香港对司法人员的选拔和任用有着严格的标准和程序，以确保司法人员具备较高的专业素质和职业道德。

Hong Kong has strict standards and procedures for the selection and appointment of judicial personnel to ensure that they possess high professional quality and ethics.

1. 法官的选拔与任用

a. Selection and appointment of judges

法官的选拔通常要求候选人具备香港永久居民身份，拥有丰富的法律执业经验（如在香港从事律师或大律师工作满一定年限），并具有良好的品行和专业能力。候选人需要通过司法人员推荐委员会的审查，该委员会由法官、律师、社会人士等组成，负责对候选人的资格进行评估。

The selection of judges usually requires candidates to have Hong Kong permanent resident status, rich legal practice experience (such as working as a lawyer or barrister in Hong Kong for a certain number of years), and good character and professional ability. Candidates need to pass the review of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Committee, which is composed of judges, lawyers, and members of society and is responsible for evaluating the qualifications of candidates.

通过审查的候选人由行政长官任命，其中终审法院首席法官和高等法院首席法官的任命还需要报中央人民政府备案。法官一旦任命，除非因行为不检或丧失履职能力，否则不得被免职，其薪酬和待遇也由法律规定，不受行政机关的干预，以保障法官的独立性。

The candidates who pass the review are appointed by the Chief Executive, and the appointment of the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal and the Chief Justice of the High Court also needs to be reported to the Central People's Government for filing. Once a judge is appointed, he/she shall not be dismissed unless due to misconduct or loss of ability to perform his/her duties. His/her salary and benefits shall also be determined by law and shall not be subject to interference from administrative authorities, in order to safeguard the independence of judges.

2. 检察官的选拔与任用

b. Selection and appointment of prosecutors

检察官的选拔标准与法官类似，要求候选人具备法律专业知识和执业经验，通过严格的考核后由律政司任命。检察官在履行职责时，必须保持客观公正，不受任何外部因素的影响，确保刑事检控工作的合法性和公正性。

The selection criteria for prosecutors are similar to those for judges, requiring candidates to possess legal professional knowledge and practice experience, and be appointed by the Department of Justice after passing strict assessments. When performing their duties, prosecutors must maintain objectivity and impartiality, not be influenced by any external factors, and ensure the legality and impartiality of criminal prosecution work.

司法独立是香港司法制度的核心原则，也是《基本法》明确规定的内容。《基本法》第八十五条规定：“香港特别行政区法院独立进行审判，不受任何干涉，司法人员履行审判职责的行为不受法律追究。” 这一原则主要体现在以下几个方面：

Judicial independence is the core principle of Hong Kong's judicial system and is also explicitly stipulated in the Basic Law. Article 85 of the Basic Law stipulates: "The courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall conduct trials independently and shall not be subject to any interference. Judicial personnel shall not be held legally accountable for their performance of judicial duties." This principle is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

法官独立行使审判权，不受行政机关、立法机关或其他任何组织和个人的干涉。法官在审理案件时，只依据法律和事实作出裁决，不受任何外部压力的影响。

Judges exercise judicial power independently and are not subject to interference from administrative agencies, legislative bodies, or any other organizations or individuals. Judges make decisions based solely on the law and facts when adjudicating cases, and are not influenced by any external pressure.

司法人员的任用和免职有严格的法律规定，确保其职业安全。法官非经法定程序不得被免职，其薪酬和待遇由法律保障，避免因经济因素而影响其独立性。

There are strict legal provisions for the appointment and dismissal of judicial personnel to ensure their occupational safety. Judges cannot be dismissed without legal procedures, and their salaries and benefits are protected by law to avoid economic factors affecting their independence.

法院的财政预算独立于政府其他部门，由香港特别行政区政府直接拨款，确保法院能够独立开展工作，不受财政因素的制约。

The financial budget of the court is independent of other government departments and is directly funded by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government to ensure that the court can operate independently without being constrained by financial factors.

司法独立原则的贯彻实施，确保了香港司法制度的公正和权威，增强了国内外投资者对香港法律环境的信心，是香港保持国际金融中心和商贸枢纽地位的重要基石。

The implementation of the principle of judicial independence ensures the fairness and authority of Hong Kong's judicial system, enhances the confidence of domestic and foreign investors in Hong Kong's legal environment, and is an important cornerstone for Hong Kong to maintain its position as an international financial center and commercial hub.

香港的法律制度在长期的发展过程中，形成了一系列独特的特色和优势，使其在国际上享有较高的声誉。

Hong Kong's legal system has developed a series of unique features and advantages over the long term, which have earned it a high reputation internationally.

香港的法律制度以普通法为基础，继承了普通法的判例制度、程序正义和司法独立等核心原则，这使得香港的法律体系与其他普通法司法管辖区（如英国、美国、澳大利亚等）具有较高的兼容性。同时，香港的法律制度也充分考虑了本地的历史、文化和社会现实，在保留普通法传统的基础上，融入了本地的特色。例如，在婚姻家庭法领域，既适用普通法的规定，又允许华人按照传统习俗处理婚姻和继承事务，体现了法律制度的灵活性和适应性。

The legal system of Hong Kong is based on common law, inheriting core principles such as common law precedent system, procedural justice, and judicial independence. This makes Hong Kong's legal system highly compatible with other common law jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, etc. At the same time, Hong Kong's legal system fully considers the local history, culture, and social reality, while preserving the common law tradition and incorporating local characteristics. For example, in the field of marriage and family law, the application of common law provisions while allowing Chinese people to handle marriage and inheritance affairs according to traditional customs reflects the flexibility and adaptability of the legal system.

香港作为国际金融中心和商贸枢纽，其法律制度具有高度的国际化特征。香港的法律体系与国际通行的法律原则和规则保持一致，大量吸收了国际公约和惯例的内容，例如在知识产权保护、反洗钱、国际商事仲裁等领域，香港的法律规定与国际标准接轨。这使得香港能够为国际商业活动提供稳定、可预测的法律环境，吸引了大量跨国公司在香港设立地区总部或开展业务。

Hong Kong, as an international financial center and commercial hub, has a highly internationalized legal system. Hong Kong's legal system is consistent with internationally accepted legal principles and rules, and has extensively absorbed content from international conventions and practices, such as intellectual property protection, anti money laundering, international commercial arbitration, etc. Hong Kong's legal provisions are in line with international standards. This enables Hong Kong to provide a stable and predictable legal environment for international business activities, attracting a large number of multinational companies to establish regional headquarters or conduct business in Hong Kong.

香港的司法制度注重效率与公正的平衡，建立了多元化的纠纷解决机制。除了法院的诉讼程序外，香港还大力推广调解、仲裁等替代性纠纷解决方式，为当事人提供了更多的选择。香港国际仲裁中心是全球知名的仲裁机构，其仲裁裁决在国际上得到广泛承认和执行，成为解决国际商事纠纷的重要平台。高效的纠纷解决机制不仅降低了当事人的诉讼成本，也提高了香港的司法效率，增强了其作为国际商贸中心的吸引力。

The judicial system in Hong Kong emphasizes a balance between efficiency and fairness, and has established a diversified dispute resolution mechanism. In addition to the court's litigation procedures, Hong Kong also vigorously promotes alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation and arbitration, providing parties with more choices. The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre is a globally renowned arbitration institution, and its arbitration awards are widely recognized and enforced internationally, becoming an important platform for resolving international commercial disputes. The efficient dispute resolution mechanism not only reduces the litigation costs of the parties, but also improves the judicial efficiency of Hong Kong and enhances its attractiveness as an international business center.

香港的法律制度对居民的权利和自由提供了严格的保障。《基本法》和其他相关法律详细规定了居民的各项权利，包括人身自由、财产权、言论自由、宗教信仰自由等，并通过独立的司法机关确保这些权利得到切实保护。司法机关在审理案件时，严格遵循正当法律程序，保障当事人的诉讼权利，确保法律面前人人平等。这种严格的权利保障体系是香港社会稳定和发展的重要基础，也是吸引人才和资本的重要因素。

The legal system in Hong Kong provides strict protection for the rights and freedoms of residents. The Basic Law and other relevant laws provide detailed provisions on residents' various rights, including personal freedom, property rights, freedom of speech, freedom of religious belief, etc., and ensure that these rights are effectively protected through independent judicial organs. Judicial authorities strictly follow due legal procedures in the trial of cases, safeguard the litigation rights of parties, and ensure equality before the law for all. This strict system of rights protection is an important foundation for the stability and development of Hong Kong society, as well as an important factor in attracting talent and capital.

香港的法律制度是在独特的历史背景下形成和发展的，历经封建法制、殖民法制、过渡法制和自治法制四个阶段，最终在“一国两制” 的框架下形成了以《基本法》为核心、以普通法为基础的独特体系。《基本法》作为香港的宪制性法律，既维护了国家的主权和统一，又保障了香港的高度自治，为香港的稳定与发展提供了坚实的法律保障。香港的司法制度以独立、公正、高效著称，其完善的法院组织体系、专业的司法人员和严格的权利保障机制，使其成为国际社会认可的法治典范。

The legal system in Hong Kong has been formed and developed under a unique historical background, going through four stages: feudal legal system, colonial legal system, transitional legal system, and autonomous legal system. Eventually, under the framework of "One Country, Two Systems", a unique system centered on the Basic Law and based on common law has been formed. As the constitutional law of Hong Kong, the Basic Law not only safeguards the sovereignty and unity of the country, but also guarantees a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong, providing solid legal protection for its stability and development. The judicial system in Hong Kong is renowned for its independence, impartiality, and efficiency. Its well-established court organization system, professional judicial personnel, and strict rights protection mechanisms have made it a recognized model of the rule of law by the international community.

在粤港澳大湾区建设和全球化深入发展的背景下，香港的法律制度将继续发挥其独特优势，为两地的跨境合作提供法律支持和保障。同时，随着社会经济的发展，香港的法律制度也将不断适应新的挑战和需求，在维护法治精神、保障居民权利、促进经济发展等方面发挥更加重要的作用。对于希望进入香港市场或与香港开展合作的企业和个人而言，深入了解香港的法律制度是必不可少的前提，只有在充分理解和尊重当地法律的基础上，才能更好地把握机遇，规避风险，实现互利共赢。

Against the backdrop of the construction of the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area and the deepening of globalization, Hong Kong's legal system will continue to leverage its unique advantages to provide legal support and protection for cross-border cooperation between the two regions. Meanwhile, with the development of the social economy, Hong Kong's legal system will continue to adapt to new challenges and demands, playing a more important role in upholding the spirit of the rule of law, safeguarding residents' rights, and promoting economic development. For enterprises and individuals who wish to enter the Hong Kong market or cooperate with Hong Kong, a deep understanding of Hong Kong's legal system is an essential prerequisite. Only by fully understanding and respecting local laws can they better seize opportunities, avoid risks, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.