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Hong Kong Basic Law
Hong KongPolitics

Hong Kong lawyers head urges Beijing to listen and not rush Basic Law interpretation

Group president appeals for advance notice in future amid fears of lost legal independence

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Law Society President Thomas So Shiu-tsung (centre) said he led a delegation to Beijing last week. Photo: Dickson Lee
Joyce Ng

The Law Society has urged Beijing to grant more channels for Hongkongers to convey their views on legal issues before making any interpretation of the city’s mini-constitution, describing previous instances as too “rushed”.

The lawyers made the appeal as some Beijing legal advisers have suggested the country’s top legislative body should devise a mechanism for interpreting the Basic Law, sparking concerns that the mainland would deepen its involvement in the local legal system and hurt “one country, two systems”.
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Society president Thomas So Shiu-tsung said he led a delegation to Beijing last week to meet the Ministry of Justice, the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, All China Lawyers’ Association, the Basic Law Committee and the Supreme People’s Court.

“We feel that the past [interpretation] process appeared a bit rushed,” So said. “If possible, maybe it’s better for Hongkongers to have advance notice of the fact that the National People’s Congress Standing Committee is to discuss an interpretation.”
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Former Law Society president Huen Wong said he wasn’t interested in becoming the city’s next justice chief. Photo: Dickson Lee
Former Law Society president Huen Wong said he wasn’t interested in becoming the city’s next justice chief. Photo: Dickson Lee

Article 158 of the Basic Law states the Hong Kong courts can seek an interpretation from the Standing Committee, the country’s top legislative body, over affairs that are the responsibility of the central government or concerning its relationship with Hong Kong.

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