Notes

What is the separation of power?
Separation of powers means that the executive, legislative, and judicial powers are housed in separate institutions.The intent is to prevent the concentration of power and provide for checks and balances.

Why Is It Necessary? (What would happen if there do not have the separation of power?)<-離題了
History has time and again shown that unlimited power in the hands of one person or group in most cases means that others are suppressed or their powers curtailed. The separation of powers in a democracy is to prevent abuse of power and to safeguard freedom for all.
'Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely'

How separation of power works in Hong Kong (example)
Article 48
The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall exercise the following powers and functions:

( 1 ) To lead the government of the Region;
( 2 ) To be responsible for the implementation of this Law and other laws which, in accordance with this Law, apply in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region;
( 3 ) To sign bills passed by the Legislative Council and to promulgate laws;
To sign budgets passed by the Legislative Council and report the budgets and final accounts to the Central People's Government for the record;
( 4 ) To decide on government policies and to issue executive orders;
( 5 ) To nominate and to report to the Central People's Government for appointment the following principal officials: Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries of Departments, Directors of Bureaux, Commissioner Against Corruption, Director of Audit, Commissioner of Police, Director of Immigration and Commissioner of Customs and Excise; and to recommend to the Central People's Government the removal of the above-mentioned officials;
( 6 ) To appoint or remove judges of the courts at all levels in accordance with legal procedures;
( 7 ) To appoint or remove holders of public office in accordance with legal procedures;
( 8 ) To implement the directives issued by the Central People's Government in respect of the relevant matters provided for in this Law;
( 9 ) To conduct, on behalf of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, external affairs and other affairs as authorized by the Central Authorities;
( 10 ) To approve the introduction of motions regarding revenues or expenditure to the Legislative Council;
( 11 ) To decide, in the light of security and vital public interests, whether government officials or other personnel in charge of government affairs should testify or give evidence before the Legislative Council or its committees;
( 12 ) To pardon persons convicted of criminal offences or commute their penalties; and
( 13 ) To handle petitions and complaints.

Article 49
If the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region considers that a bill passed by the Legislative Council is not compatible with the overall interests of the Region, he or she may return it to the Legislative Council within three months for reconsideration. If the Legislative Council passes the original bill again by not less than a two-thirds majority of all the members, the Chief Executive must sign and promulgate it within one month, or act in accordance with the provisions of Article 50 of this Law.

Article 50
If the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region refuses to sign a bill passed the second time by the Legislative Council, or the Legislative Council refuses to pass a budget or any other important bill introduced by the government, and if consensus still cannot be reached after consultations, the Chief Executive may dissolve the Legislative Council.

Article 52
The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region must resign under any of the following circumstances:
( 1 ) When he or she loses the ability to discharge his or her duties as a result of serious illness or other reasons;
( 2 ) When, after the Legislative Council is dissolved because he or she twice refuses to sign a bill passed by it, the new Legislative Council again passes by a two-thirds majority of all the members the original bill in dispute, but he or she still refuses to sign it; and
( 3 ) When, after the Legislative Council is dissolved because it refuses to pass a budget or any other important bill, the new Legislative Council still refuses to pass the original bill in dispute.

Article 76
A bill passed by the Legislative council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may take effect only after it is signed and promulgated by the Chief Executive.

The bill proposed by the government must be submitted to the Legislative Council for consideration and approval. The bill passed by the Legislative Council must be signed by the Chief Executive to become law. If the Chief Executive refuses to sign the bill passed by the Legislative Council, he can send the bill back to reconsideration within three months. However, if the bill is passed by the Legislative Council no less than two-thirds of the total number of members, the Chief Executive can only choose Sign or dissolve the Legislative Council. However, if the Bill is still passed by the Legislative Council not less than a two-thirds majority of all Members after the re-election, the Chief Executive must resign. The above situation has not occurred since the establishment of the SAR. In fact, the possibility of occurrence is very low. However, the existence of these provisions is sufficient to show that the powers of the Basic Law should be mutually restricted.

!the separation of power concern>representativeness of public opinion, timeliness(Michael)

!the separation of power main purpose>prevent dictators, corruption, public property officials(Michael)