ICAC Investigator Written Test key terms

A defence in some anti-corruption offences where the accused shows a lawful, honest and adequate reason for the conduct, judged on the facts known to them at the time.

Under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, a broad category covering money, gifts, loans, employment, contracts, services and other benefits, including any discharge of a liability.

A situation where a public servant's private interests could improperly influence, or appear to influence, the impartial performance of official duties.

The formal disclosure a public servant makes of a personal or financial interest in a matter they handle, so that the conflict can be managed or the officer excluded.

Withdrawing from a decision, investigation or case because of a real or perceived conflict of interest, so that the outcome is not tainted by bias.

Soliciting or accepting an advantage as an inducement to, or reward for, doing or not doing an act in relation to a public servant's official duties.

Offering, promising or giving an advantage to a public servant as an inducement or reward for official acts, whether the act is lawful or not.

The mental element of an offence: the intention, knowledge or recklessness the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt, as distinct from the physical act.

A statutory rule that allows a fact to be inferred from proved facts unless the contrary is shown, used in corruption cases to link unexplained wealth to bribery.

The principle that every person charged is presumed innocent until the prosecution proves guilt beyond reasonable doubt, with the burden generally on the prosecution.

The obligation of a party to prove a disputed fact. In criminal cases the prosecution carries it; the defence may bear an evidential burden only.

The standard of proof in criminal proceedings: guilt must be established so that the court is left with no reasonable doubt about it.

Protection for confidential communications between a client and a legal adviser for the purpose of obtaining legal advice, which limits what can be seized or disclosed.

A court-authorised document permitting officers to enter premises, search for and seize specified items, and it defines the lawful scope of that search.

Taking possession of items relevant to an investigation, usually under a warrant or statutory power, with a record kept of what was taken and from where.

The documented, unbroken record of who handled an exhibit, when and how, so that its integrity can be demonstrated in court.

Lawful keeping of a person in custody by an authorised officer, subject to time limits, review and the person's rights, such as access to legal advice.

A formal warning given before questioning that what the person says may be recorded and used in evidence, protecting the right against self-incrimination.

The duty not to disclose information received in the course of duty, including investigation details and identities of complainants and witnesses.

A person holding an office of trust under the government, a public body or a listed organisation, including employees and persons performing public functions.

Hong Kong's principal anti-corruption statute, creating offences of bribery, soliciting or accepting advantages, and failing to disclose interests in contracts.

The constitutional principle under which Hong Kong retains its own legal, economic and social systems while being part of the People's Republic of China.

The constitutional document of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, setting out its relationship with the Central Authorities and the rights and duties of residents.

The authority the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region exercises over its internal affairs, as provided by the Basic Law, excluding matters of national defence and foreign affairs.

The protection of the state's sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political system, and of the conditions needed for its stable development.

A comprehensive framework covering political, economic, social, cultural, technological and ecological security, treating national security as broad and interconnected.

The law in force in Hong Kong addressing offences of secession, subversion, terrorist activities and collusion with foreign forces, and related enforcement and prevention measures.

The body of law developed through judicial precedent, as opposed to statute, and it continues to apply in Hong Kong under the Basic Law.

The principle that everyone, including the government, is subject to and accountable under the law, which is applied equally, fairly and transparently.

A comparison of two quantities by division, often used to compare rates, shares or odds in data presented in reports and tables.

A number expressed as a fraction of one hundred, used to compare proportions across groups of different sizes.

The change in a value over a period divided by the starting value, usually expressed as a percentage; it can be positive or negative.

The sum of a set of values divided by the number of values, sensitive to extreme values and therefore often reported alongside the median.

The middle value of a set when arranged in order, or the average of the two middle values; it is less affected by extreme values than the mean.

A condition that must be present for a result to occur (necessary) and whose presence guarantees the result (sufficient); confusing the two is a common reasoning error.

The statement formed by swapping the condition and conclusion of a conditional; the converse of a true statement need not itself be true.

A reasoning flaw in which a broad conclusion is drawn from a small or unrepresentative sample of cases.

The distinction between two things occurring together and one actually causing the other; assuming causation from correlation is a classic logical error.

Writing that uses short sentences, active voice and everyday words to convey meaning clearly, avoiding jargon and unnecessary legalistic phrasing.

The attitude conveyed by word choice and structure, such as formal, neutral or assertive, which affects how a report or statement is received.

The central point a passage or report is making, which a reader must be able to identify separately from supporting details and examples.

A conclusion drawn from stated evidence rather than stated directly, requiring the reader to judge what the text logically implies.

The difference between formal written Chinese and colloquial spoken Chinese, which affects word choice, sentence structure and suitability for official documents.

Recent local, national and international developments a candidate is expected to follow, particularly those affecting Hong Kong governance, security and public administration.