Quick Information
LegCo is composed of 90 Members:
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40
returned by the Election Committee
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30
returned by functional constituencies
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20
returned by geographical constituencies through direct elections
Three main functions of LegCo:
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Enact laws
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Approve public expenditure
Monitor the work of the Government
LegCo normally meets every Wednesday in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex to discuss government policies, proposed new laws and current issues.
2023 legislative session:
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34Council meetings held
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313Council meeting hours
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35Bills passed
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$143Public expenditure approved
billion -
1 216Cases concluded under the Redress System
Historical Development of the Legislature
Detailed version1843-1845 Founding of Legislative Council
LegCo was established and composed of the Governor and three Official Members.
The first sitting was held and the first Hong Kong Ordinance was passed.
The first version of Standing Orders and Rules for the Legislative Council of Hong Kong was adopted.
1846-1944 Early development of the Legislature
The first two Unofficial Members were appointed.
The first Chinese Unofficial Member was appointed.
Under the revised Letters Patent, the Governor was required not only to seek the advice but also the consent of LegCo in enacting laws.
It is not known when the Hong Kong Hansard was first published but copies existed from 1890 onwards.
Japanese occupation of Hong Kong – LegCo sitting was adjourned until further notice.
1945-1983 Development of the Legislature after war years
After the surrender of Japan, LegCo resumed and held its first sitting on 1 May 1946.
The Office of the Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils (“UMELCO”) was established.
For the first time, the numbers of Official Members and Unofficial Members were the same.
The first female Unofficial Member was appointed.
Chinese, in addition to English, was permitted at Council sittings.
The first “grassroots” LegCo Member was appointed.
1984-1997 The Legislature before the Handover
The Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong was signed.
The first indirect election of LegCo Members was held.
(1985) LegCo took over occupation of the former Supreme Court Building in Central.
(1985) The Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance (Cap. 382) was enacted.
The first LegCo direct election was held.
The Governor ceased to be the President of LegCo.
The statutory Legislative Council Commission was established.
The first fully elected Legislature was composed of 60 Members.
1996-1998 Transitional years
The Provisional LegCo was established as an interim Legislature for Hong Kong.
The last LegCo under British rule ended. The HKSAR was established and the Basic Law came into effect.
1998 and onwards Legislative Council of the HKSAR
The First LegCo of the HKSAR was established.
The constitutional reform package put forward in 2005 was vetoed. The composition of the Fourth LegCo (2008-2012) remained unchanged.
LegCo endorsed the constitutional reform package on the methods for selecting the Chief Executive and for forming LegCo in 2012.
LegCo was relocated to the LegCo Complex in Admiralty in October 2011.
The constitutional reform package put forward in 2010 was endorsed. The Fifth LegCo (2012-2016) was composed of 70 Members.
The Policy on Access to the Legislature’s Documents and Records was formulated.
The electoral reform package was vetoed. The method for selecting the Chief Executive in 2012 would continue to be adopted in 2017.
The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress made an interpretation of Article 104 of the Basic Law on oath-taking.
Resolutions to amend 50 Rules in the Rules of Procedure were passed.
The LegCo Complex was intruded and vandalized by demonstrators.
The general election for the Seventh LegCo was postponed in view of the COVID-19 epidemic situation. The Sixth LegCo continued to discharge its duties until the commencement of the Seventh LegCo.
Annex II to the Basic Law, which specifies the method for the formation of LegCo, was amended.
(2021) The rules and practices of LegCo were reviewed in phases. Resolutions to amend the Rules of Procedure were passed and amendments to the House Rules were endorsed.
The method for the formation of LegCo was amended in 2021. The Seventh LegCo (2022-2025) is composed of 90 Members.