Legal analysis: The Department of Justice plays an important role in Hong Kong's legal system-responsible for all prosecutions-drafting all laws proposed by the government-and providing advice to various policy bureaux and departments on various legal issues. The Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is in charge of criminal prosecution without any interference. The Secretary for Justice is one of the three government officials who can act as the Chief Executive when the Chief Executive of Hong Kong is on leave or vacant (ranking third, the first is the Chief Secretary for Administration, and the second is the Financial Secretary).
Before the reunification of Hong Kong, this position was called the Department of Justice, and the competent department was the Legal Department. After reunification, it was renamed Secretary for Justice and Department of Justice.
Legal basis: Article 2 of the Constitution of People's Republic of China (PRC) All power in People's Republic of China (PRC) belongs to the people. The organs where the people exercise state power are the National People's Congress and local people's congresses at various levels. The people manage state affairs, economic and cultural undertakings and social affairs through various channels and forms according to law.