HKCFA · 終審法院

Court of Final Appeal

HK's apex court since 1 July 1997, established by the Basic Law (Art 82) replacing the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Hears civil, criminal, and constitutional appeals by leave on questions of great general or public importance. The CFA can refer questions of Basic Law interpretation involving the relationship between HKSAR and the Central People's Government to the NPCSC under Art 158 (a power exercised four times to date — Ng Ka Ling, Lau Kong Yung, Congo case, Vallejos era). Notable decisions: Ng Ka Ling v Director of Immigration (right of abode), Lam Kwong Wai (reverse-onus), Vallejos (foreign domestic helpers and ordinary residence), Hysan Development (proportionality framework), Cheng v Tse Wai Chun (defamation fair-comment).

Jurisdiction

Hong Kong SAR

Founded

1 July 1997

Composition

Chief Justice + 3 permanent judges + non-permanent local + non-permanent overseas common-law judges

Appeals from

Court of Appeal (by leave)

41 decisions in our library