Functions

Enact Laws

1843

The Governor was empowered to make and enact laws and ordinances with the advice of LegCo.
1844

The first Hong Kong Ordinance, Ordinance No.1 of 1844, relating to slavery, was passed.
1858

In LegCo Standing Orders and Rules approved in July, with the Governor's consent, LegCo might appoint a "special committee" to examine the clauses of a proposed ordinance.
1884

The Law Committee was formed as a Standing Committee of LegCo. The function of the Committee is not known. It was abolished in 1968.
1888

Under the revised article of the Letters Patent, the Governor was required to seek not only the advice but also the consent of LegCo in enacting laws.
Early 1970s

Under the informal committee structure set up by the Office of the Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils ("UMELCO"), "ad hoc groups" were formed to scrutinize legislative proposals.
1985

The Legislative Council (Powers & Privileges) Ordinance was enacted to provide for the powers and privileges enjoyed by Members in discharging their functions and duties.
1992

Bills Committees were formally introduced to replace "ad hoc groups" for the scrutiny of bills.
1996

The Provisional LegCo enacted laws needed to ensure the proper functioning of the HKSAR in accordance with the Basic Law and to amend and repeal laws where necessary.

Approve Public Expenditure

1858

The Government Estimates were submitted to the vote of LegCo for the first time.
1867

The first Budget Speech was delivered by the Governor.
1872

The Finance Committee, the first Standing Committee of LegCo, was established to deal with expenditure not authorized by the Estimates.
1884

The Public Works Committee was formed as a Standing Committee of LegCo. The function of the Committee is not known. It was abolished in 1968.
1955

The Public Works Subcommittee was established under the Finance Committee to examine the Government's expenditure proposals on public works programme, and make recommendations to the Finance Committee.
1962

The Establishment Committee was established. It was renamed the Establishment Subcommittee under the Finance Committee in 1964 to examine the Government's proposals on changes to directorate posts as well as civil service grade structures, and make recommendations to the Finance Committee.
1985

The Legislative Council (Powers & Privileges) Ordinance was enacted to provide for the powers and privileges enjoyed by Members in discharging their functions and duties.

Monitor the work of the Government

1882

For the first time, a legislative session commenced with a Governor's Address.
As early as 1845

Members could propose motions in a LegCo sitting with prior notice given.
As early as 1873

Members could raise questions in a LegCo sitting with prior notice given.
1946

The convention of holding a "motion of thanks" debate on the Governor's Address started.
1963

The Redress System was established to invite the public to put forward their views on matters of public concern. The Duty Roster System was subsequently introduced in 1965, under which Unofficial Members took turn to meet members of the public each week.
1978

The Public Accounts Committee was set up as a Standing Committee of LegCo to consider reports of the Director of Audit on the accounts of the government and other related organisations.
1979

Under the informal committee structure set up by UMELCO, panels were formed to monitor government policies and examine issues of public concern.
1985

The Legislative Council (Powers & Privileges) Ordinance was enacted to provide for the powers and privileges enjoyed by Members in discharging their functions and duties.
1992

The first Governor's Question Time was held. This has since become a permanent feature of LegCo business.
1993

Office of the Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils was dissolved following the membership separation of the Executive and Legislative Councils in 1992. LegCo set up panels under a formal committee system to monitor the performance of the Government, offer advice on major legislative or financial proposals before their formal introduction into LegCo or the Finance Committee, and examine important issues of public concern.

Legislative Council Today

As provided for in Article 73 of the Basic Law, LegCo of HKSAR exercises the following powers and functions:

1.

To enact, amend or repeal laws in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law and legal procedures;
2.

To examine and approve budgets introduced by the government;
3.

To approve taxation and public expenditure;
4.

To receive and debate the policy addresses of the Chief Executive;
5.

To raise questions on the work of the government;
6.

To debate any issue concerning public interests;
7.

To endorse the appointment and removal of the judges of the Court of Final Appeal and the Chief Judge of the High Court;
8.

To receive and handle complaints from Hong Kong residents;
9.

If a motion initiated jointly by one-fourth of all the Members of the Legislative Council charges the Chief Executive with serious breach of law or dereliction of duty and if he or she refuses to resign, the Council may, after passing a motion for investigation, give a mandate to the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal to form and chair an independent investigation committee. The committee shall be responsible for carrying out the investigation and reporting its findings to the Council. If the committee considers the evidence sufficient to substantiate such charges, the Council may pass a motion of impeachment by a two-thirds majority of all its Members and report it to the Central People's Government for decision; and
10.

To summon, as required when exercising the above-mentioned powers and functions, persons concerned to testify or give evidence.

Members of the Legislative Council continue to perform the functions of LegCo through a committee system, as shown below: