Archives - Details
Record ID
HKRS46
Title
Files Relating to the Drafting of Hong Kong Legislation
Date
1933 - 1968
Level
Series
Archival History
Series commenced in 1952, growing out of the General Branch's main correspondence file series (see notes on sytem of arrangement). Series maintained in custody of Law Drafting Branch until transfer to PRO.
Creating Agency
Department of Justice, Law Drafting
Transferring Agency
Department of Justice, Law Drafting
Administrative / Biographical History
The Legal Department was created under the Legal Officers Ordinance 1950 which united the Office of the Attorney General and the Crown Solictor's Department. The Department was responsible for the provision of advice to Government on legal matters, drafting legislation and public prosecutions. In 1968 the Department was organised into 5 Divisions including a Law Drafting Division which was responsible for drafting legislation put forward by Government. The Division was headed by the Law Draftsman. In July 1986 the Department assumed responsibility for drafting new laws in both English and Chinese and translating existing laws into Chinese. A Localisation of Laws Unit was also established in 1989 to speed up the process of localising United Kingdom laws applying to Hong Kong. The Unit's role was expanded in 1994 to include advising on the adaptation of laws to ensure compatibility with the Basic Law. The unit was renamed the Localisation and Adaptation of Laws Unit. The Legal Department was renamed the Department of Justice following the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on 1.7.1997.
Scope and Content
Series comprises minutes, memoranda, letters, drafts, reports, galley proofs and other working papers relating to the drafting of Hong Kong legislation. File covers carry the title of the legislation dealt with and the file reference number. Subjects covered by the series include Kai Tak, compulsory service, HK and Yaumati Ferry, Inland Revenue, landlord and tenant, merchant shipping, places of public entertainment, HK Telephone, trade marks, gold.
Physical Description
Manila files, 35 x 23 x 0.5-4 cm. Papers attached using Treasury tags.
Arrangement System
Numerical. Modified year and consecutive single number system. The number '1250' in the General Branch's main correspondence file series for '1952' was selected as the designate for 'Law Drafting; and retained for that purpose. Successive files raised under this designate were distinguished by consecutive numerical prefixes; sub-files were denoted by additional numerical prefixes, eg. 3/1250/52, 1/3/1250/52. Range of control symbols 1/1250/52 - 1/243/1250/52
Conditions Governing Access
Public Records (Access) Rules 1996
Language and Scripts
English
Note
The descriptive information is mainly transcribed from the Series Identification Sheet in 2000.