Generally speaking, records are a vital resource of an organisation. Government records may contain important information about Hong Kong and its governance, and with the passage of time, would become an integral part of our cultural heritage. For such records to maintain their value, they must be managed to ensure their authenticity, accuracy, security, timely access and usability.

The Government has been using, in lieu of legislation, administrative directives, guidelines and publications to regulate the management of Government records. The Commission's mandate is to review the present situation, as well as to conduct comparative studies of the relevant laws in other jurisdictions, with a view to making appropriate recommendations on possible options for reform if need be. A sub-committee began work on this subject in June 2013.

The members of the Archives Law Sub-committee (in alphabetical order of surnames) are:

The Hon Andrew Liao, GBM, GBS, SC, JP, Barrister (Chairman)

Mr Michael Chan, Consultant, Wilkinson & Grist

Mr Richard Khaw, SC, Barrister

Mrs Stacy Belcher Lee, Former University Archivist, The University of Hong Kong

Mrs Millie Ng Kiang Mei-nei, JP, Director of Administration, Chief Secretary for Administration's Office

Mr Sy Kim-cheung, Raymond, JP, Deputy Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs (1), Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau

The Sub-committee's secretary is Mr Byron Leung, Deputy Principal Government Counsel.

The Sub-committee published a consultation paper in December 2018 to consult the public as to whether reform of the current public records management regime is needed; and if so, what kind of reform is to be preferred.