The purpose of this book is to explain both the historical development and the current practice of land administration. Although Hong Kong is an open and business-friendly environment, it has a socialist leasehold land tenure system. The government is landlord to virtually all land, so it plays a pivotal role in the administration of this scarce and therefore valuable resource. As land administration is governed by private contract law rather than legislation, it is constantly evolving with the courts handing down decisions on a regular basis. Government practice also has to respond to this, as well as to the community’s concerns on how best land can be administered. The fourth edition has some substantial and significant updates and changes which should continue to be useful to students and practitioners of surveying, architecture, planning, law, and the wider business and financial community.