Attorney-General Jeremy Mathews was yesterday accused of creating uncertainty for Hong Kong by withdrawing a government bill which sought to localise the appointment system for notaries public.
A notary public is a public official, usually a solicitor, authorised to administer oaths and certify documents.
Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee, chairman of a bills committee formed to study the Legal Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 1996, said withdrawal of the bill was unjustifiable despite prior notice from the Government that it might take such action.
It was the second time since Legco's last sitting began on Monday that the Government had withdrawn a bill on third reading.
The bill was axed after members voted in favour of an amendment moved by Ms Ng, which said all notaries public should have to join the Hong Kong Society of Notaries.
The Government said the provision would infringe the right to association enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
This could trigger a spate of potential legal challenges, the administration contended.