本條例可引稱為《釋義及通則條例》。
This Ordinance may be cited as the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance.
(1) 除非在本條例或其他條例、文書的內容出現用意相反之處，否則 本條例的條文適用於本條例、其他現行的條例(不論其實施日期早於或遲 於本條例的生效日期)及根據或憑藉這些條例而訂立或發出的文書。
" (1) Save where the contrary intention appears either from this Ordinance or from the context of any other Ordinance or instrument, the provisions of this Ordinance shall apply to this Ordinance and to any other Ordinance in force, whether such other Ordinance came or comes into operation before or after the commencement of this Ordinance, and to any instrument made or issued under or by virtue of any such Ordinance."
(1A) 即使另一條例載有本條例某項條文的要旨，亦無含義指本條例的 其他條文不適用於該另一條例。 (由1993年第89號第2條增補)
(1A) The inclusion of the substance of a provision of this Ordinance in another Ordinance does not imply the exclusion of the application of any other provision of this Ordinance to the other Ordinance. (Added 89 of 1993 s. 2)
(2) 本條例對“國家”具約束力。 (由1998年第26號第2條代替)
(2) This Ordinance shall be binding on the State. (Replaced 26 of 1998 s. 2)
(1) 所有原有法律均須在作出為使它們不抵觸《基本法》及符合香港 作為中華人民共和國的特別行政區的地位而屬必要的變更、適應、限制及 例外的情況下，予以解釋。
" (1) All laws previously in force shall be construed with such modifications, adaptations, limitations and exceptions as may be necessary so as not to contravene the Basic Law and to bring them into conformity with the status of Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China."
(2) 在不損害第(1)款的一般性原則下，在任何條例中─
" (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), in any Ordinance-"
(a) 關於與香港特別行政區有關的外交事務的法律如與在香港特別行 政區實施的任何全國性法律不一致，須在以全國性法律為準，並符合中華 人民共和國中央人民政府享有的國際權利和承擔的國際義務的規限下，予 以解釋；
(a) provisions relating to foreign affairs in respect of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region which are inconsistent with any national law applied in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be construed subject to that national law and shall be so construed as to be consistent with the international rights and obligations of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China;
(b) 任何給予英國或英聯邦其他國家或地區特權待遇的規定，除實施 香港與英國或英聯邦其他國家或地區的互惠性安排的規定者外，不再有效 ；
" (b) provisions conferring privileges on the United Kingdom or other Commonwealth countries or territories, other than provisions giving effect to reciprocal arrangements between Hong Kong and the United Kingdom or other Commonwealth countries or territories shall have no further effect;"
(c) 有關英國駐香港軍隊的權利、豁免及義務的規定，凡不抵觸《基 本法》和《中華人民共和國香港特別行政區駐軍法》的規定，繼續有效， 並適用於中華人民共和國中央人民政府派駐香港特別行政區的軍隊；
" (c) provisions relating to the rights, exemptions and obligations of military forces stationed in Hong Kong by the United Kingdom shall, subject to the provisions of the Basic Law and the Garrison Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, continue to have effect and apply to the military forces stationed in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China;"
(d) 有關英文的法律效力高於中文的規定，須解釋為中文及英文都是 正式語文；及
(d) provisions relating to the superior legal status of the English language as compared with the Chinese language shall be construed as providing that both the English and Chinese languages are to be official languages; and
(e) 引用的英國法律的規定，如不損害中華人民共和國的主權和不抵 觸《基本法》的規定，在香港特別行政區通過其立法機關對其作出修訂前 ，作為過渡安排，可繼續參照適用。
" (e) provisions applying any English law may continue to be applicable by reference thereto as a transitional arrangement pending their amendment by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region through the Legislature thereof, provided that they are not prejudicial to the sovereignty of the People's Republic of China and do not contravene the provisions of the Basic Law."
“原有法律”(laws previously in force) 指在緊接1997年7月1日之 前屬有效並已被採用為香港特別行政區法律的普通法、衡平法、條例、附 屬法例(亦指附屬立法)及習慣法；
" ""laws previously in force"" (原有法律) means the common law, rules of equity, Ordinances, subsidiary legislation and customary law in force immediately before 1 July 1997 and adopted as laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region."
“行政上訴委員會”(Administrative Appeals Board) 指根據《行政 上訴委員會條例》(第442章)設立的行政上訴委員會；(由1994年第6號第 32條增補)
" ""Administrative Appeals Board"" (行政上訴委員會) means the Administrative Appeals Board established under the Administrative Appeals Board Ordinance (Cap 442); (Added 6 of 1994 s. 32)"
“成人”、“成年人”(adult)* 指年滿18歲的人； (由1990年第32 號第6條修訂)
" ""adult"" (成人、成年人)* means a person who has attained the age of 18 years; (Amended 32 of 1990 s. 6)"
“飛機”、“航空器”(aircraft) 指任何可憑空氣的反作用而在大氣 中獲得支承力的機器；
" ""aircraft"" (飛機、航空器) means any machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air;"
“外籍人士”(alien) 指並非中國公民的人； (由1998年第26號第4 條增補)
" ""alien"" (外籍人士) means a person other than a Chinese citizen; (Added 26 of 1998 s. 4)"
“修訂”(amend) 包括廢除、增補或更改，亦指同時進行，或以同一 條例或文書進行上述全部或其中任何事項； (由1993年第89號第3條修訂 )
" ""amend"" (修訂) includes repeal, add to or vary and the doing of all or any of such things simultaneously or by the same Ordinance or instrument; (Amended 89 of 1993 s. 3)"
“可逮捕的罪行”(arrestable offence) 指由法律規限固定刑罰的罪 行，或根據、憑藉法例對犯者可處超過12個月監禁的罪行，亦指犯任何這 類罪行的企圖； (由1971年第30號第2條增補)
" ""arrestable offence"" (可逮捕的罪行) means an offence for which the sentence is fixed by law or for which a person may under or by virtue of any law be sentenced to imprisonment for a term exceeding 12 months, and an attempt to commit any such offence; (Added 30 of 1971 s. 2)"
“《基本法》”(Basic Law) 指《中華人民共和國香港特別行政區基 本法》； (由1998年第26號第4條增補)
" ""Basic Law"" (《基本法》) means the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; (Added 26 of 1998 s. 4)"
(a) 香港特別行政區行政長官；
(a) the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region;
(b) 依照《基本法》第五十三條在當其時代理行政長官職務的人； ( 由1998年第26號第4條增補)
(b) a person for the time being assuming the duties of the Chief Executive according to the provisions of Article 53 of the Basic Law; (Added 26 of 1998 s. 4)
“行政長官會同行政會議”(Chief Executive in Council) 指在徵詢 行政會議的意見後行事的行政長官； (由1998年第26號第4條增補)
" ""Chief Executive in Council"" (行政長官會同行政會議) means the Chief Executive acting after consultation with the Executive Council; (Added 26 of 1998 s. 4)"
“高等法院首席法官”(Chief Judge) 指香港特別行政區高等法院首 席法官； (由1998年第26號第4條增補)
" ""Chief Judge"" (高等法院首席法官) means the Chief Judge of the High Court; (Added 26 of 1998 s. 4)"
“終審法院首席法官”(Chief Justice) 指香港特別行政區終審法院 首席法官； (由1998年第26號第4條增補)
" ""Chief Justice"" (終審法院首席法官) means the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal; (Added 26 of 1998 s. 4)"