The Law Reform Commission was established in January 1980. It considers and reports on such topics as may be referred to it by the Secretary for Justice or the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal of the HKSAR. Its membership includes academics, practising lawyers and prominent community members.

    Since its establishment, the commission has published 44 reports covering subjects as diverse as commercial arbitration, divorce, sale of goods and supply of services, fraud and hearsay in civil proceedings. The recommendations in 25 of these reports have been implemented, either in whole or in part. The commission is currently considering references on privacy, guardianship and custody, domicile, hearsay in criminal proceedings, and decision-making for persons in a coma.