Cap. 159 sub. leg. H

Solicitors’ Practice Rules(Cap. 159, section 73) [1 August 1964] L.N. 107 of 1964(Format changes—E.R. 2 of 2019) 1. Citation These rules may be cited as the Solicitors’ Practice Rules. 1A. Interpretation In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires— associated parties (有聯繫各方) means 2 or more parties where— (a) one party is the holding company of the other party; or (b) one party is the subsidiary of the other party’s holding company; or (c) the parties are related by blood, adoption or marriage, and for the purpose of this definition, holding company (控權公司) and subsidiary (附屬公司) have the same meanings as in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622); (28 of 2012 ss. 912 & 920) association (組織) refers to a situation where 2 or more firms of solicitors have at least one common solicitor; completed development (已完成的發展) includes a development— (a) in respect of which a temporary occupation permit or an occupation permit has been issued under section 21(2) of the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) after 16 August 1945, or which was completed after 16 August 1945; and (b) in respect of which, where a certificate of compliance is applicable, such certificate has been issued or deemed to have been issued, or the requisite consent to assign has been obtained from the Director of Lands; (L.N. 291 of 1993) firm (律師行) means a firm as from time to time constituted, whether of a sole practitioner or as a partnership carrying on the business of practising as a solicitor or as solicitors and whether conducted from one address or more than one address;group practice (律師聯合執業事務所) and member of a group practice (律師聯合執業事務所成員) have the same meaning as in the Solicitors (Group Practice) Rules (Cap. 159 sub. leg. X); (L.N. 122 of 2002)land (土地) and mortgage (按揭) have the same meanings as in the Conveyancing and Property Ordinance (Cap. 219);lease (租契) includes an original or derivative under-lease and an agreement for a lease;principal (主管) means the sole practitioner or a partner of a firm and shall also include any solicitor who is held out or holds himself out as such a partner or sole practitioner;Secretary General (秘書長) means the Secretary General of The Law Society of Hong Kong; uncompleted development (未完成的發展) includes a development— (a) in respect of which neither a temporary occupation permit nor an occupation permit has been issued under section 21(2) of the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123); or (b) which is otherwise uncompleted; or (c) in respect of which a certificate of compliance where applicable has not been issued or deemed to have been issued; unconditional practising certificate (無條件執業證書) means a practising certificate that does not contain a condition preventing its holder from practising on his own account or in partnership. (L.N. 416 of 1996)(L.N. 138 of 1993) 2. General conduct A solicitor shall not, in the course of practising as a solicitor, do or permit to be done on his behalf anything which compromises or impairs or is likely to compromise or impair—(a) his independence or integrity; (b) the freedom of any person to instruct a solicitor of his choice; (c) his duty to act in the best interests of his client; (d) his own reputation or the reputation of the profession; (e) a proper standard of work; or (f) his duty to the court. (L.N. 67 of 1992) 2AA. Prohibition against publicity etc. (1) Subject to subrule (2), a solicitor shall not publicise or otherwise promote his practice or permit his practice to be publicised or otherwise promoted. (2) Subrule (1) does not apply to anything done in accordance with the Solicitors’ Practice Promotion Code as made from time to time by the Council with the prior approval of the Chief Justice. (L.N. 67 of 1992) 2A. Name of firm (1) Subject to subrule (2), the name of a firm shall consist solely of the name or names of one or more solicitors who are principals of the firm. (2) Subrule (1) shall not preclude—(a) the use of the name of a predecessor or former partner in that practice; (b) in the case of a firm (Hong Kong firm) that is established as a branch of a firm that is carrying on the business of practising the law in a foreign jurisdiction (overseas firm), the use of the name of the overseas firm if—(i) for the period of 3 years immediately preceding the establishing of the Hong Kong firm, there had been a foreign firm of the same name practising or advising on the law of a foreign jurisdiction; (ii) at least one of the principals of the Hong Kong firm is a partner in the overseas firm; and (iii) one of the principals of the Hong Kong firm had, for not less than 3 years during the 5 years immediately preceding the establishing of the firm, been a partner in, or a consultant to, or employed by, the foreign firm referred to in subparagraph (i) or the overseas firm; or (c) the use of a firm name—(i) in use at the date of the coming into operation of this rule; or (ii) approved in writing by the Council. (3) Despite subrules (1) and (2), for a firm that is not a limited liability partnership within the meaning of section 7AB of the Ordinance—(a) if the firm has an English name, the firm must not include, as part of that name—(i) the words “limited liability partnership”;(ii) the abbreviation “L.L.P.” or “LLP”; or(iii) any words or abbreviations that convey the message that the firm is a limited liability partnership within the meaning of that section;(b) if the firm has a Chinese name, the firm must not include, as part of that name—(i) the words “有限法律責任合夥”; or(ii) any words or abbreviations that convey the message that the firm is a limited liability partnership within the meaning of that section; and(c) if the firm has a name in a language other than English or Chinese, the firm must not include, as part of that name, any words or abbreviations that convey the message that the firm is a limited liability partnership within the meaning of that section. (L.N. 102 of 2015)(L.N. 617 of 1994) 2B. Letterhead (1) (Omitted as spent—E.R. 2 of 2019)(2) A firm shall state on the letterhead of all letters issued, whether by post or by facsimile, in connection with the firm’s practice— (L.N. 226 of 1998)(a) the name and address of the firm; (b) unless otherwise determined by the Council, the names of each of the principals of the firm who—(i) has been admitted in Hong Kong as a solicitor; (ii) holds a current practising certificate; and (iii) is ordinarily resident in Hong Kong; (c) in the case of a firm forming part of an association or Association, reference to the office or offices of the other firm or firms in the association or Association such that—(i) the first-mentioned firm’s name is more prominent than the name of such other firm or firms; (ii) such other firm or firms is or are clearly distinguished from any other firm that is not in the association or Association; and (L.N. 102 of 1996)(iii) any reference to the office or offices of the firm or firms in the association or Association is clearly distinguished from the branch office or offices of the first-mentioned firm referred to in subparagraph (i). (L.N. 102 of 1996)(3) A firm may state on the letterhead of all the letters issued in accordance with subrule (2)—(a) the name of any principal of the firm who is not ordinarily resident in Hong Kong, if and only if there is a description of the person as being non-resident in Hong Kong; (b) the name of any assistant solicitor, associate or consultant in the firm who is not a principal of the firm, if and only if—(i) he holds a current practising certificate; and (ii) his status as such is clearly indicated; (c) the name of any foreign lawyer employed by the firm, if and only if there is a description of the person as a person qualified to practise the law of a jurisdiction other than Hong Kong; (d) in respect of any person named in the letterhead, any honour or title held by him, including—(i) Notary Public; (ii) Justice of the Peace; (iii) China-Appointed Attesting Officer; (e) in respect of any person named in the letterhead, any academic or professional qualification held by him, not being examination qualification which leads to such qualification; (f) the Chinese text of the name and description of the firm, if and only if it corresponds with the English text; (g) reference to branch offices; or (h) in the case of a firm associated with an overseas firm or firms, any reference to any other firm or firms with which it is associated, if and only if such reference is in less prominent type and is clearly distinguished from the firm’s branch office or offices and the office or offices of the other firm or firms in the association or Association. (L.N. 102 of 1996) (L.N. 617 of 1994) 3. Fee cutting A solicitor shall not hold himself out or allow himself to be held out directly or indirectly and whether or not by name as being prepared to do professional business in contentious matters at less than the scale fixed by Rules of Court or by any other enactment or in any other matters at less than such scale as may from time to time be fixed by any enactment or by the Society. 4. Sharing with non-qualified persons A solicitor shall not share or agree to share with any person not being a solicitor practising in Hong Kong his profit costs in respect of any business whether by way of paying or agreeing to pay a commission on business introduced by any such person not being a solicitor, or otherwise: (L.N. 138 of 1993; L.N. 389 of 1998) Provided that—(a) a solicitor carrying on practice on his own account may agree to pay an annuity or other sum out of profits to a retired partner or predecessor or the dependants or legal personal representative of a deceased partner or predecessor; (L.N. 138 of 1993; L.N. 617 of 1994) (b) a solicitor who has agreed in consideration of a salary to do the legal work of an employer who is not a solicitor may agree with such employer to set off his profit costs received in respect of contentious business from the opponents of such employer or the costs paid to him as the solicitor for such employer by third parties of non-contentious business, against the salary so paid or payable to him and the reasonable office expenses incurred by such employer in connection with such solicitor and to the extent of such salary and expenses; and (L.N. 617 of 1994) (c) a solicitor whose firm is a party to an Association may share fees and profits with the foreign firm or firms in that Association. (L.N. 617 of 1994) 4A. Supervision of office A solicitor shall ensure that every office where he or his firm practise is and can reasonably be seen to be properly supervised in accordance with the following minimum standards—(a) every such office shall be managed by a solicitor holding a current practising certificate who shall normally be in attendance at that office during all the hours when it is open to the public; and (b) every such office shall be attended on each day when it is open to the public by a solicitor who holds an unconditional practising certificate and has been admitted for at least 2 years (or such other period as the Council may permit), being either a principal of, or a solicitor employed by, the firm and who shall spend sufficient time at such office to ensure adequate control of the staff employed there and afford requisite facilities for consultation with clients. (L.N. 138 of 1993) (L.N. 307 of 1979; L.N. 416 of 1996) 4B. Control of employment of unqualified persons (1) A firm shall not employ unqualified persons in a number more than 6 plus 8 times the number of resident principals and solicitors employed full-time in that firm. (2) No firm shall, except with the written approval of the Council, knowingly employ any unqualified person who is in the part-time or full-time employment of another firm or a foreign firm. (L.N. 266 of 2000; L.N. 40 of 2018) (3) For the purpose of this rule—(a) persons employed otherwise than by a firm (such as by a service company set up by the principal or principals of the firm) but for the purposes of the firm shall be deemed to be persons employed in that firm; (b) in calculating the number of unqualified persons employed in a firm, trainee solicitors and full-time law students working full-time or part-time during holidays and breaks or part-time during the academic year shall not be taken into account; and (c) in calculating the number of resident principals and solicitors employed full-time in a firm, a solicitor shall not be taken into account in respect of more than one firm. (4) A firm shall ensure that every name card of an employee who is an unqualified person, being a card which bears the name of the firm, includes a clear description of the capacity in which the employee is being employed. (L.N. 99 of 1995) (L.N. 138 of 1993) 5. Particulars relating to firms (1) Where after the commencement# of the Solicitors’ Practice (Amendment) Rules 1993 (L.N. 138 of 1993), a firm commences business, the principal or principals shall, within 14 days of commencing the firm, advise the Society in writing in a form approved by the Society of— (L.N. 484 of 1993) (a) the names of all the principals in the firm, and whether they are engaged by the firm full-time or part-time; (L.N. 253 of 1998) (b) the names of all other solicitors in the firm, and whether they are engaged by the firm full-time or part-time; (L.N. 617 of 1994; L.N. 253 of 1998) (ba) the names and such other details of all unqualified members of the firm, whether full-time or part-time, remunerated or otherwise, as may be required by the Society; (L.N. 617 of 1994) (c) the address or addresses of the firm together with telephone, fax, telex and DX numbers, where appropriate; (d) the firm name; (e) evidence that they have complied with the Solicitors (Professional Indemnity) Rules (Cap. 159 sub. leg. M); and (E.R. 1 of 2016)(f) the accounting period to be used by the firm. (1A) The principal or principals shall also, within 14 days of commencing the firm, advise the Society in writing in a form approved by the Society of the following particulars in relation to any service company engaged by the firm—(a) the name of the service company, its registered office, its Business Registration Number, the names of its directors and whether or not they are solicitors; (b) the following particulars in respect of any employee of the service company, whether or not the employee has been provided as staff of the firm, whether part-time or full-time, remunerated or otherwise and whether or not the employee is a solicitor—(i) the employee’s name; (ii) his identity card or passport number; (iii) his Chinese commercial code, if applicable; (iv) his date of birth; (v) his position in the firm or the service company; and (vi) the date on which his employment began; and(c) the address or addresses of the service company together with telephone, fax, telex and DX numbers, where appropriate. (L.N. 473 of 1995) (1B) Subject to rule 5(1) of the Limited Liability Partnerships (Top-up Insurance) Rules (Cap. 159 sub. leg. AL), a principal in a firm that is a limited liability partnership within the meaning of Part IIAAA of the Ordinance must, within 14 days of commencing the firm, provide the Society with evidence of the firm’s compliance with the insurance requirement in section 7AD of the Ordinance. (22 of 2012 s. 9; L.N. 102 of 2015; E.R. 1 of 2016)(2) A principal (regardless of when his firm commenced business) shall advise the Society in writing in a form approved by the Society within 14 days of such occurrence of any change in any of the particulars referred to in subrule (1) or (1A) (whether or not that subrule otherwise applies) which occurs after the commencement# of the Solicitors’ Practice (Amendment) Rules 1993 (L.N. 138 of 1993). (L.N. 484 of 1993; L.N. 473 of 1995) (2A) If at any time a firm that is a limited liability partnership within the meaning of Part IIAAA of the Ordinance does not have in existence a policy of insurance as is required under section 7AD of the Ordinance, a principal in the firm must notify the Society in writing within 14 days of the occurrence of that fact. (22 of 2012 s. 9)(3) A principal who is in practice at any time during a calendar year shall, not later than 31 January in the next calendar year, furnish to the Secretary General a declaration in respect of the relevant calendar year in accordance with Form 1 in the Schedule. (4) Except upon formal resolution of the Council, the particulars furnished under subrules (1)(f), (2) in respect of particulars referred to in subrule (1)(f), and (3) shall not be disclosed by the Secretary General to any person other than—(a) Council members; (b) members of committees established by the Council; (c) a Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal; (d) the Tribunal Convenor of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal Panel; (e) counsel, accountants, solicitors and agents appointed by the Society; and (f) employees of the Society, whose proper business it is to have access to such particulars for the purposes of ascertaining whether the provisions of these rules or any other laws or regulations concerning solicitors, their employees and trainee solicitors have been complied with or of dealing with the disciplinary consequences of any alleged breach thereof. (5) The particulars, evidence and notification under subrules (1), (1B), (2), (2A) and (3) may be furnished by one principal on behalf of the other principals. (22 of 2012 s. 9)(L.N. 138 of 1993) Editorial Note: # Commencement date: 30 April 1993. 5A. (Repealed L.N. 393 of 1987) 5AA. Particulars relating to sole practitioner (1) A solicitor who commences practice as a solicitor in his own name or under a firm name, where he is the sole proprietor of the firm, (in this rule referred to as a sole practitioner) shall—(a) ensure that, at the commencement of his practice, there is in effect a testamentary provision which provides—(i) for the management of his practice as a sole practitioner after his death, pending the disposal or cessation of that practice; and(ii) for such management to be carried out by a person who is a solicitor holding an unconditional practising certificate and who has consented in writing to so mange that practice;(b) within 14 days of commencement of practice as a sole practitioner advise the Society in writing in a form approved by the Society of the following particulars—(i) the name, address, telephone number, fax number, telex number and DX number, where appropriate, of—(A) the executor of the will which contains the testamentary provision as required under paragraph (a); and(B) the solicitor mentioned in paragraph (a)(ii);(ii) if that will has been lodged with another person by the sole practitioner, the name and address of that person.(2) A solicitor who practises as a sole practitioner shall—(a) ensure that a testamentary provision as required under subrule (1)(a) remains in effect at all times during his practice as a sole practitioner, except for a period of 14 days after any change in the solicitor mentioned in subrule (1)(a)(ii);(b) advise the Society in writing in a form approved by the Society within 14 days of such occurrence of any change in any of the particulars referred to in subrule (1)(b).(3) Except upon formal resolution of the Council, the particulars furnished under subrule (1)(b) or (2)(b) shall not be disclosed by the Secretary General to any person other than—(a) Council members;(b) members of committees established by the Council;(c) a Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal;(d) the Tribunal Convenor of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal Panel;(e) counsel, accountants, solicitors and agents appointed by the Society; and(f) employees of the Society,whose proper business it is to have access to such particulars for the purposes of—(i) ascertaining whether the provisions of these rules or any other laws or regulations concerning the sole practitioner have been complied with; or(ii) dealing with the disciplinary consequences of any alleged breach of those provisions.(L.N. 265 of 2000) Editorial Note: Rule 5AA was added by section 1 of the Solicitors’ Practice (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2000 (L.N. 265 of 2000). Please see the transitional provisions contained in section 2 of that Amendment Rules. 5B. Powers of Council (1) In order to ascertain whether the provisions of these rules have been complied with, the Council, acting either—(a) on its own motion; or (b) on a written complaint lodged with it by a third party, may require any solicitor to produce at such time and place as may be fixed by the Council, his books of account, management accounts including monthly profit and loss accounts, bank pass books, loose-leaf bank statements, statements of account, vouchers and any other necessary documents for the inspection of any person appointed by the Council, and such person shall be directed to prepare for the information of the Council a report on the result of such inspection and any such report may be used as a basis for proceedings under the Ordinance. (L.N. 154 of 2012)(2) Upon being required so to do a solicitor shall produce such books of account, management accounts including monthly profit and loss accounts, bank pass books, loose-leaf bank statements, statements of account, vouchers and documents at the time and place fixed. (L.N. 154 of 2012)(3) Before instituting an inspection on a written complaint lodged with it by a third party, the Council shall require prima facie evidence that a ground of complaint exists, and may require the payment by such party to the Council of a reasonable sum to be fixed by it to cover the costs of the inspection, and the costs of the solicitor against whom the complaint is made and the Council may deal with any sum so paid in such manner as it thinks fit. (4) The Council may make such order for the payment of the costs of any inspection required by the Council under this rule as it thinks fit. (L.N. 307 of 1979; 52 of 1980 s. 2) 5C. Representation in conveyancing transactions (1) Subject to subrules (2), (3), (4) and (5), a solicitor, or 2 or more solicitors practising in partnership or association, shall not act for both the vendor and the purchaser on a sale or other disposition of land for value. (2) A solicitor, or 2 or more solicitors practising in partnership or association, may act for both the vendor and the purchaser in the sale and purchase of a unit or other interest in an uncompleted development in respect of which the consent of the Director of Lands is required to be given pursuant to the relevant Crown Grant or Government grant and also in the completion of such sale and purchase. (8 of 1993 s. 30; L.N. 291 of 1993; 29 of 1998 s. 49)(3) A solicitor, or 2 or more solicitors practising in partnership or association, may act for both the vendor and the purchaser in the sale and purchase of a unit or other interest in an uncompleted development in respect of which the consent of the Director of Lands is not required and also in the completion of such sale and purchase if and only if— (8 of 1993 s. 30; L.N. 291 of 1993) (a) he, or one of them, has deposited in the Land Registry a statutory declaration— (8 of 1993 s. 30; 20 of 2002 s. 5)(i) in such form, and setting forth such facts, as the Council may, subject to the prior approval of the Chief Justice, from time to time specify; and (ii) annexed to which are such documents as the Council may, subject to the prior approval of the Chief Justice, from time to time specify as documents to be so annexed; and (b) the agreement for sale and purchase to be entered into by the vendor and the purchaser contains such clauses as the Council may, subject to the prior approval of the Chief Justice, from time to time specify for mandatory inclusion in the agreement.(4) A solicitor, or 2 or more solicitors practising in partnership or association, may act for both the vendor and the purchaser in the sale and purchase of a unit or other interest in a completed development by the owner of the whole development where in respect of the unit or interest no assignment has been executed since the date of the occupation permit or the certificate of compliance in respect of the development, whichever is required in respect of such sale and purchase, and if both are required, the earlier, and in the completion of such sale and purchase, if and only if the agreement for sale and purchase to be entered into by the vendor and the purchaser contains such clauses as the Council may, subject to the prior approval of the Chief Justice, from time to time specify for mandatory inclusion in the agreement. (5) Where pursuant to subrule (2), (3) or (4), a solicitor or 2 or more solicitors practising in partnership or association act for both the vendor and the purchaser in the sale and purchase of a unit or other interest in a development, that solicitor or solicitors may also act for the purchaser and the sub-purchasers in the sub-sale and sub-purchase of the unit or interest and in the completion of the sub-sale and sub-purchase if and only if the agreement or agreements for sub-sale and sub-purchase to be entered into by the parties contain such clauses as the Council may, subject to the prior approval of the Chief Justice, from time to time specify for mandatory inclusion in such agreement or agreements. (6) This rule shall not apply—(a) if the parties are associated parties; (b) to a sale or other disposition of land the consideration of which does not exceed $1,000,000 or such other amount as the Council may, subject to the prior approval of the Chief Justice, from time to time determine, and in respect of which there is no conflict of interest; (L.N. 227 of 1998) (c) to a mortgage of land; (d) to a lease of land; or (e) to a sale or other disposition of land in respect of which the contract for sale and purchase was entered into before the commencement# of the Solicitors’ Practice (Amendment) Rules 1989 (L.N. 154 of 1989). (7) (Repealed L.N. 138 of 1993)(8) This rule applies to 2 or more solicitors or firms conducting their businesses as members of the same group practice as it applies to any 2 or more solicitors practising in partnership or association. (L.N. 122 of 2002)(L.N. 154 of 1989) Editorial Note: # Commencement date: 26 May 1989. 5D. Steps to be taken in criminal matters Where a firm acts for a client in relation to that client’s criminal litigation the solicitor in charge of that matter shall take the following steps—(a) as soon as practicable and not more than 7 days after receiving instructions the firm shall confirm by letter to the client—(i) the instructions given by the client; (ii) the services to be provided by the firm; (iii) the name of the solicitor in charge of the matter; (iv) the fee to be charged or an estimate of such fee; and(v) the name of counsel, his fee and any refreshers, or an estimate of such fee and refreshers,and the firm shall secure the written and signed agreement of the client to those terms; (b) if any material change occurs to the information contained in the letter provided to the client (for example, the identity of counsel) the firm shall within 7 days notify the client in writing of that change and secure the client’s written and signed agreement to the change; (c) at the end of the case the firm shall promptly deliver to the client an account, signed by a solicitor personally, which includes—(i) the name and court number of the case; (ii) the name of any counsel retained; (iii) the dates of any court appearances; (iv) a note of any fees paid to counsel; and (v) the solicitor’s profit costs and disbursements; (d) when money is received from a client in payment of fees or on account of costs or disbursements, the firm shall deliver a receipt to the client; (e) as soon as practicable, and in any event both before the relevant hearing and not more than 7 days after counsel has been instructed, the firm shall deliver a backsheet or other written instruction to counsel on which shall be endorsed (inter alia)—(i) the name and personal signature of the solicitor in charge of the matter; (ii) the name of the firm; (iii) the name of the case (and the court number if known at the time); (iv) the name of counsel; and (v) the agreed fee and any agreed refreshers; (f) the firm shall only pay a counsel after receipt of a fee note, and payment shall only be made by cheque drawn on the office or client account of the firm; (g) the firm shall retain copies of all the above documents for not less than 2 years after the completion of the matter. (L.N. 138 of 1993) 6. Power of waiver The Council shall have power to waive in writing any of the provisions of these rules in any particular case or cases, either unconditionally or subject to such conditions as the Council may think fit to impose.(52 of 1980 s. 2) Schedule Form 1 [rule 5] Solicitors’ Practice Rules PARTICULARS RELATING TO SOLICITORS’ FIRMS I, ., (full name as it appears on your practising certificate) solemnly and sincerely declare as follows— 1. I am engaged in practice (on my own account/in partnership and am providing this return on behalf of my partners*). 2. The name of my/our* firm is . 3. During the period 1 January . to 31 December ., I/we* have not shared with any person not being a solicitor practising in Hong Kong my/our* profit costs in respect of any business, whether by way of paying or agreeing to pay a commission on business introduced by any such person or otherwise, except as set out in Schedule 1/where a waiver of rule 4 of the Rules was granted by the Council on . * 4. The number of principals, assistant solicitors and consultants in my/our* firm as at 31 December ., was— Principals Assistant Solicitors Consultants 5. All of the principals, assistant solicitors and consultants in my/our* firm are resident in Hong Kong and are not principals or employees of another firm of solicitors in Hong Kong or a salaried employee of a company in Hong Kong, except as set out in Schedule 2. 6. The particulars of every employee who has joined my/our* firm (except employees who are solicitors) since 1 January . are set out in Schedule 3. 7. The particulars of every employee of my/our* firm (except employees who are solicitors) who is not included in Schedule 3 between 1 January . to 31 December . are set out in Schedule 4. 8. My/our* firm engages a service company to provide staff for the firm and the details of this company are set out in Schedule 5. The particulars of the employees provided by this company are included in Schedules 3 and 4. (Delete this paragraph if it does not apply.) And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true and by virtue of the Oaths and Declarations Ordinance (Cap. 11). Declared at Hong Kong this . day of . Before me, *Delete one of the alternatives. _ SCHEDULE 1 Give details of all commissions paid to unqualified persons. _ SCHEDULE 2 PART A List the names of all principals, assistant solicitors or consultants of your firm who are also employees or principals of another firm of solicitors in Hong Kong or a salaried employee of a company in Hong Kong, the name of the other firm or company and their position in the other firm or company. PART B List the names of all principals, assistant solicitors or consultants of your firm who are not resident in Hong Kong. SCHEDULE 3Particulars of New Employees Between 1 Jan _ to 31 Dec _ Name (English & Chinese, if applicable), as appears on the employee’s Hong Kong identity card Name (English & Chinese, if applicable), as appears on the employee’s name card (if applicable) ID card/passport No. Chinese Commercial Code No. Date of Birth Position Mark “X” if Authorized Clerk @ Monthly Salary Bonus/es or other Allowances # Date/s of Bonus/es or otherAllowances # Date of Employment * Total number of current employees in this Schedule: _(Do not include employees who have left the firm’s employment). The monthly salary shown is paid for _ months each year (see note). Please list: include all employees (except employees who are solicitors) (a) Trainee solicitors (b) All other non professional staff (full time & part time) @ Authorized clerks are employees who are duly authorized to visit clients in places of detention. # Include any loans to employees written off during this period. * If an employee has already ceased employment with the firm, put also the date of cessation of employment in this column. SCHEDULE 4Particulars of all other Employees Between 1 Jan _ to 31 Dec _ Name (English & Chinese, if applicable), as appears on the employee’s Hong Kong identity card Name (English & Chinese, if applicable), as appears on the employee’s name card (if applicable) ID card/passport No. Chinese Commercial Code No. Date of Birth Position Mark “X” if Authorized Clerk @ Monthly Salary Bonus/es or other Allowances # Date/s of Bonus/es or otherAllowances # Date ceased Employment Total number of current employees in this Schedule: _(Do not include employees who have left the firm’s employment). The monthly salary shown is paid for _ months each year (see note). Please list: include all employees (except employees who are solicitors) (a) Trainee solicitors (b) All other non professional staff (full time & part time) @ Authorized clerks are employees who are duly authorized to visit clients in places of detention. # Include any loans to employees written off during this period. SCHEDULE 5 Name of Service Company: Directors of the Company: Note: If your firm engages more than one service company, details of all companies must be given. This page and the preceding . pages are the Schedules referred to in the declaration of . made before me at Hong Kong this . day of Commissioner/Solicitor Note: 1. If your firm pays non-discretionary bonuses at certain times of the year by way of an additional month’s salary, such as at Chinese New Year, put the total number of months salary paid in the box, for example, 13. Details of any discretionary bonuses, allowances or other payments must be shown in the columns relating to bonuses. If no such payments are made, put “not applicable” in these columns. 2. If your firm does not pay any non-discretionary bonuses, put 12 in the box. Details of any discretionary bonuses, allowances or other payments must be shown in the columns relating to bonuses. If no such payments are made, put “not applicable” in these columns. 3. All bonuses, allowances and other payments made to staff in addition to salary must be included in the columns relating to bonuses. (L.N. 138 of 1993; L.N. 484 of 1993; L.N. 593 of 1995; 47 of 1997 s. 10; L.N. 389 of 1998; L.N. 117 of 2000; E.R. 2 of 2019)