Hong Kong Legco to review tighter rules on access to land records amid concerns

Hong Kong’s legislature will set up a subcommittee to examine proposed restrictions on access to land records following widespread public concern.

At the Legislative Council’s house committee meeting on Friday, lawmakers endorsed establishing the subcommittee to study proposed requirements and procedures under the Land Titles Regulation.

The move came after some legislators and the Hong Kong Journalists Association voiced objections on Wednesday after the government tabled eight pieces of subsidiary legislation – including the Land Titles Regulation covering land record search arrangements – at the Legco for negative vetting.

Under negative vetting, subsidiary legislation is first gazetted and then vetted by lawmakers later.