Hong Kong Letters Patent
Encyclopedia
The Hong Kong Letters Patent was one of the two principal constitution
al instruments of Hong Kong
during the period of its administration as a colony
under British administration
. (The other principal instrument was the Hong Kong Royal Instructions
).
Originally issued in the form of a royal charter
on 5 April 1843, the Letters Patent were reissued on on 19 January 1888, and again on 14 February 1917. The 1917 letters patent
(as amended from time to time) remained the basis for Hong Kong's system of government until the formal transfer of sovereignty on 1 July 1997 to the People's Republic of China
.
Issued under the royal prerogative
, the letters patent were the formal legal basis of the office of Governor and Commander-in-Chief
, the Executive Council
, and the Legislative Council
.
After the transfer of sovereignty to China, the Letters Patent ceased to have effect, being superseded by a new Basic Law
.
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
al instruments of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
during the period of its administration as a colony
Crown colony
A Crown colony, also known in the 17th century as royal colony, was a type of colonial administration of the English and later British Empire....
under British administration
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
. (The other principal instrument was the Hong Kong Royal Instructions
Hong Kong Royal Instructions
The Hong Kong Royal Instructions was one of the two principal constitutional instruments of Hong Kong during the period of its administration as a colony under British administration. ....
).
Originally issued in the form of a royal charter
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
on 5 April 1843, the Letters Patent were reissued on on 19 January 1888, and again on 14 February 1917. The 1917 letters patent
Letters patent
Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation...
(as amended from time to time) remained the basis for Hong Kong's system of government until the formal transfer of sovereignty on 1 July 1997 to the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
.
Issued under the royal prerogative
Royal Prerogative
The royal prerogative is a body of customary authority, privilege, and immunity, recognized in common law and, sometimes, in civil law jurisdictions possessing a monarchy as belonging to the sovereign alone. It is the means by which some of the executive powers of government, possessed by and...
, the letters patent were the formal legal basis of the office of Governor and Commander-in-Chief
Governor of Hong Kong
The Governor of Hong Kong was the head of the government of Hong Kong during British rule from 1843 to 1997. The governor's roles were defined in the Hong Kong Letters Patent and Royal Instructions...
, the Executive Council
Executive Council of Hong Kong
The Executive Council of Hong Kong is a core policy-making organ in the executive branch of the government of Hong Kong.. The Chief Executive of Hong Kong serves as its President.The Executive Council normally meets once a week...
, and the Legislative Council
Legislative Council of Hong Kong
The Legislative Council is the unicameral legislature of Hong Kong.-History:The Legislative Council of Hong Kong was set up in 1843 as a colonial legislature under British rule...
.
After the transfer of sovereignty to China, the Letters Patent ceased to have effect, being superseded by a new Basic Law
Hong Kong Basic Law
The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, or simply Hong Kong Basic Law, serves as the constitutional document of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China...
.
See also
- Letters PatentLetters patentLetters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation...
- Royal AssentRoyal AssentThe granting of royal assent refers to the method by which any constitutional monarch formally approves and promulgates an act of his or her nation's parliament, thus making it a law...
- History of Hong KongHistory of Hong KongHong Kong began as a coastal island geographically located off the southern coast of China. While pockets of settlements had taken place in the region with archaeological findings dating back thousands of years, regular written records were not made...
- Colonial Hong KongColonial Hong KongIn the 19th century the British, Dutch, French, Indians and Americans saw Imperial China as the world's largest untapped market. In 1840 the British Empire launched their first and one of the most aggressive expeditionary forces to claim the territory that would later be known as Hong Kong.In a few...
- Hong Kong Royal InstructionsHong Kong Royal InstructionsThe Hong Kong Royal Instructions was one of the two principal constitutional instruments of Hong Kong during the period of its administration as a colony under British administration. ....