Secretary for Justice (Hong Kong)

Secretary for Justice of the
Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region
律政司司長
Incumbent
The Hon Paul Lam, SBS, SC, JP
since 1 July 2022
StyleThe Honourable
Member ofGovernment Secretariat
Executive Council
Reports toLegislative Council
Residence19 Severn Road, The Peak
AppointerCentral People's Government
nomination by Chief Executive
Term lengthNo longer than the Chief Executive's remaining term
Inaugural holderElsie Leung
Formation1 July 1997
SalaryHK$4.2 million p.a.[1]
WebsiteDOJ
Secretary for Justice
Traditional Chinese律政司司長
Simplified Chinese律政司司长

The Secretary for Justice (Chinese: 律政司司長) is the head of the Hong Kong Department of Justice, the chief legal advisor to the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, and the chief law enforcement officer of the Government of Hong Kong. Before the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, the position was known as the Attorney-General of Hong Kong.

The Secretary for Justice, nominated by the Chinese government on the advice of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, is an ex officio member of the Executive Council of Hong Kong. The Secretary takes office after appointment by the Government of the People's Republic of China, which is responsible for Hong Kong's foreign affairs and defence. The Secretary for Justice also belongs to the Policy Committee, which is chaired by the Chief Secretary,

The Office of the Secretary for Justice was established by the Hong Kong Basic Law,[2] which guarantees the power of the Department of Justice to control criminal prosecutions free from any interference.[3] The position is normally held by a legal professional, and was, before July 2002, a civil service position. The Secretary for Justice, after the Chief Secretary and the Financial Secretary, is one of the three highest Principal Officials of the Government.

The current Secretary for Justice is Paul Lam, SBS, SC, JP.

  1. ^ "Remuneration package for Politically Appointed Officials serving in fifth-term HKSAR Government". Hong Kong Government.
  2. ^ Article 53, Hong Kong Basic Law
  3. ^ Article 63, Hong Kong Basic Law

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