Lesson 5 - Chapter 5 (cont): Case Law & Chapter 6: Legislation

The lecture focuses on case law and legislation in Hong Kong, explaining legal principles and their practical application. It begins with a review of the Yuen Sze Wan case, emphasizing the importance of understanding the underlying legal principles rather than just the outcome. The discussion covers the doctrine of precedent, distinguishing between vertical and horizontal stare decisis, and explores when courts must follow past decisions. The lecture uses the landmark case of Donoghue v Stevenson to illustrate how legal principles are extracted and applied, differentiating between ratio decidendi and obiter dicta. The session concludes with an overview of the legislative process in Hong Kong, including the roles of the Legislative Council and the Chief Executive.