Common law principles, and nearly all the ordinances that were in force before July 1, 1997, continue to apply in the HKSAR. Some ordinances required adaptation to bring them into line with the Basic Law and to reflect Hong Kong's new status as a Special Administrative Region of the PRC. Most of these ordinances have now been adapted and those that have not require further consideration of the policy issues involved.

The existing courts and tribunals were re-established on July 1, 1997 (though some were renamed). The Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal was established on that date and replaced the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as the highest court of appeal for Hong Kong. All serving judges were reappointed by the HKSAR's Chief Executive on July 1, 1997. All judicial proceedings that had been instituted before July 1, 1997 were continued by virtue of the Hong Kong Reunification Ordinance.