Which court holds the power of final adjudication in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region?

The power of final adjudication in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is vested in the Court of Final Appeal. This court is the highest in the judicial hierarchy of Hong Kong, established following the implementation of the Basic Law. Its primary role is to ensure that legal issues and disputes are resolved with finality, and its decisions set binding precedent for all lower courts in the region.

The Court of Final Appeal has the authority to interpret laws and the Basic Law itself, acting as a safeguard to uphold the rule of law within Hong Kong. This is crucial for maintaining the unique legal system of the HKSAR, which operates under the principle of 'one country, two systems.'

By contrast, the other courts listed do not hold the same level of authority. The Court of First Instance deals primarily with serious criminal and civil cases but is not the final arbiter. The Court of Appeal hears appeals from the Court of First Instance and other lower courts but does not possess the ultimate adjudicative authority. Lastly, the Magistrates' Court typically handles minor offenses and preliminary hearings and does not engage in final adjudication on significant legal matters. Therefore, the answer correctly identifies the Court of Final Appeal as the apex judicial authority in Hong Kong