Cap. 6 sub. leg. A

Bankruptcy Rules(L.N. 150 of 2014)(Cap. 6, section 113) [1 January 1933](Format changes—E.R. 3 of 2015) Part 1 Preliminary (L.N. 150 of 2014) 1. Citation These rules may be cited as the Bankruptcy Rules. 2. Interpretation In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires—bankruptcy order (破產令) means an order adjudging an individual bankrupt; (L.N. 77 of 1998)court (法院、法庭) means the court as defined by the Ordinance, and includes the Registrar when exercising the power of the court pursuant to the Ordinance or these rules;creditor (債權人) includes a corporation, a firm of creditors in partnership and, in relation to criminal bankruptcy proceedings, the Official Petitioner; (L.N. 152 of 1979)debtor (債務人) includes any debtor proceeded against under the Ordinance, whether adjudged bankrupt or not, and also includes a firm of debtors in partnership; (G.N.A. 124 of 1955)proof (債權證明表) means a document by which a creditor seeks to establish his claim against a debtor; (L.N. 222 of 1992)Registrar (司法常務官) means the Registrar of the High Court, and any Senior Deputy Registrar, Deputy Registrar or Assistant Registrar of the High Court; (L.N. 231 of 1984; 25 of 1998 s. 2; 10 of 2005 s. 169)sealed (蓋章) means sealed with the seal of the court;taxing officer (訟費評定官) includes the Registrar and also any officer or officers of the court whose duty it is to tax costs.(L.N. 77 of 1998; 21 of 2024 s. 61) 2A. Provisional trustee regarded as trustee Save in rules 35, 36, 72A(3), 99A, 99B, 99E, 99F, 99G, 99Q(a), 99Y(2), 101, 113, 138, 141, 149A(2), 159(2), 159A, 162(1), 172 and 179, a provisional trustee shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be regarded as a trustee for the purposes of these rules.(L.N. 123 of 2007) 3. Computation of time The provisions of section 122 of the Ordinance shall apply to these rules as if the words “these rules” were substituted for the words “this Ordinance” in the first line of the said section.(E.R. 4 of 2020) 4. (Transferred to the Bankruptcy (Forms) Rules, rule 2) Part 2 General Procedure (L.N. 150 of 2014) Division 1 Court and Chambers (L.N. 150 of 2014) 5. Matters to be heard in court The following matters and applications shall be heard and determined in open court—(a) petitions: Provided that a debtor’s petition may be heard in chambers if urgent, and if the judge so directs; (b) applications to annul a bankruptcy order; (L.N. 77 of 1998)(c) the public examination of debtors;(d) applications for an interim order or for the continuation, renewal or discharge of an interim order in connection with a voluntary arrangement; (L.N. 77 of 1998)(e) applications for suspension of the relevant period for discharge, the lifting of such a suspension or for early discharge; (L.N. 77 of 1998)(ea) applications under section 30AB of the Ordinance for a non-commencement order; (1 of 2016 s. 8)(f) applications to set aside or avoid any settlement, conveyance, transfer, security or payment, or to declare for or against the title of the trustee to any property adversely claimed;(g) applications for the committal of any person to prison for contempt;(h) (Repealed L.N. 231 of 1984)(i) (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998)(j) any other matter which the Chief Justice may direct.Any other matter or application may be heard and determined in chambers unless the judge directs that it be heard and determined in open court. (G.N.A. 124 of 1955) 6. Adjournment from chambers to court and vice versa Subject to the provisions of the Ordinance and rules—(a) the Registrar may under the general or special directions of a judge hear and determine any application or matter which under the Ordinance and rules may be heard and determined in chambers;(b) any matter or application before the Registrar may at any time be adjourned by him to be heard before a judge;(c) any matter or application may, at any time, if a judge thinks fit, be adjourned from chambers to court or from court to chambers, and if all the contending parties require any matter of application to be adjourned from chambers to court it shall be so adjourned.(L.N. 106 of 1987) Division 2 Proceedings (L.N. 150 of 2014) 7. Proceedings, how intituled (1) Every proceeding in court under the Ordinance shall be dated, and shall be intituled “In Bankruptcy” and with the name of the matter to which it relates. Numbers and dates may be denoted by figures. (E.R. 4 of 2020)(2) (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998)(3) The first proceeding in every matter shall have a distinctive number assigned to it by the Registrar and all subsequent proceedings in the same matter shall bear the same number. (L.N. 77 of 1998) 8. Records of the court All proceedings of the court shall remain of record in the court, in the custody of the Registrar, so as to form a complete record of each matter, and they shall not be removed for any purpose, except for the use of the officers of the court, or by special direction of the judge or Registrar, but they may at all reasonable times be inspected by the trustee, the debtor, and any creditor who has proved, or any person acting on behalf of the trustee, debtor, or creditor, and, by special direction of the court, any other person.(G.N.A. 124 of 1955; L.N. 46 of 1964) 9. Notices to be in writing All notices required by the Ordinance or these rules shall be in writing, unless these rules otherwise provide or the court in any particular case otherwise orders. 10. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 11. Official Receiver or trustee to file copies of advertisements (L.N. 123 of 2007)(1) Whenever the Gazette contains any advertisement relating to any matter under the Ordinance, the person specified in subrule (3) shall, in respect of the bankruptcy proceedings concerned, file a copy of the advertisement with the court.(2) In the case of an advertisement in a local newspaper, the person specified in subrule (3) shall in like manner file a copy of the advertisement appearing therein.(2A) In the case of an advertisement in a medium other than the Gazette or a local newspaper, the person specified in subrule (3) must file a memorandum referring to, and giving the date of, the advertisement with the court. (22 of 2023 s. 34)(3) If the advertisement was published— (22 of 2023 s. 34)(a) by the Official Receiver, the Official Receiver is the person specified for the purposes of subrules (1), (2) and (2A); or(b) by a trustee, the trustee is the person specified for the purposes of subrules (1), (2) and (2A). (22 of 2023 s. 34)(4) The filed copy of an advertisement mentioned in subrule (1) or (2) is prima facie evidence that it was duly published in the issue of the Gazette or newspaper mentioned. (22 of 2023 s. 34)(5) The filed copy of a memorandum referring to an advertisement mentioned in subrule (2A) is prima facie evidence that the advertisement was duly published in the medium mentioned in it. (22 of 2023 s. 34)(L.N. 123 of 2007; L.N. 150 of 2014) Division 3 Preparation of Order (L.N. 150 of 2014) 12. Preparation of order (1) If within 1 week from the making of—(a) a bankruptcy order;(b) an order annulling a bankruptcy order; or(c) (Repealed L.N. 123 of 2007)(d) an order—(i) following objections to discharge;(ii) for suspension of the relevant period for discharge or for the lifting of such a suspension; or(iii) for early discharge,the order has not been completed, it shall be the duty of the trustee to prepare and complete the order. (L.N. 123 of 2007)(1A) If an order made under section 20J of the Ordinance has not been completed within 1 week from the making of the order, the nominee shall prepare and complete the order. (L.N. 123 of 2007)(2) If in any case the judge is of the opinion that the provisions of this rule ought not to apply, he may so order.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 13. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 14. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 15. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 16. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 17. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 18. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 19. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 20. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 21. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) Division 4 Exemption from Stamp Duty (L.N. 150 of 2014) 22. Application of section 125 For the purposes of section 125 of the Ordinance, bankruptcy (破產案) shall include any proceeding under the Ordinance whether before or after adjudication, and bankrupt (破產人) shall include any debtor proceeded against under the Ordinance.(L.N. 77 of 1998) Division 5 Shorthand Notes (L.N. 150 of 2014) 23. Appointment and remuneration of shorthand writer (1) The court may at any time in any proceedings, if it considers that it would be desirable so to do, appoint a person (in these rules called a shorthand writer (速記員)) to take down, in shorthand or otherwise, the evidence of the debtor or of any witness examined at any public or private sitting, examination or meeting under the Ordinance.(2) A shorthand writer (if any) attached to the Official Receiver’s office shall be deemed to be duly appointed under subrule (1), and it shall not be necessary to make any application to make such an appointment, and a general declaration by such shorthand writer adapted from Form 56 shall be deemed to apply to all proceedings in which notes are taken by him of any such evidence. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(3) Any document purporting—(a) to be a transcript of the notes taken by a shorthand writer appointed under subrule (1) or by a shorthand writer attached to the Official Receiver’s Office; and (L.N. 150 of 2014)(b) to be signed by such shorthand writer,shall until the contrary is proved be sufficient evidence that the questions and answers therein set forth were so put and answered respectively.(4) Every person appointed to be a shorthand writer under this rule shall be paid a sum not exceeding $2,000 or as the court directs for each hour or part thereof during which he is engaged in such appointment or in the preparation of any transcript of the evidence that may be required. (L.N. 143 of 1985; L.N. 77 of 1998)(5) The fees of a shorthand writer shall be paid by the party at whose instance the appointment was made, or out of the estate, as may be directed by the court.(6) If the person appointed to be the shorthand writer under this rule is a public servant the fees payable under subrule (4) shall be paid forthwith by the person responsible for such fees to the Official Receiver for payment into the general revenue. (L.N. 231 of 1984; L.N. 150 of 2014)(L.N. 39 of 1976) Division 6 Discovery and Examination under Section 29 (L.N. 150 of 2014) 24. Discovery Any party to any proceeding in court may with the leave of the court administer interrogatories to or obtain discovery of documents from any other party to such proceeding. Proceedings under this rule shall be regulated as nearly as may be by the provisions in the Rules of the High Court (Cap. 4 sub. leg. A) for the time being in force in relation to discovery and inspection. An application for leave under this rule may be made ex parte.(25 of 1998 s. 2) 25. Examination under section 29 Every application to the court under section 29 of the Ordinance shall be in writing and shall state shortly the grounds upon which the application is made. When the application is made by or on behalf of the trustee or the Official Receiver it need not be verified by affidavit. Division 7 Warrants, Arrests, and Commitments (L.N. 150 of 2014) 26. To whom warrants addressed A warrant of seizure, or a search warrant, or any other warrant issued under the provisions of the Ordinance, shall be addressed to such officer of the court or to such public officer as the Registrar may direct. 27. Procedure when warrant issued under section 27 of Ordinance When a debtor is arrested under a warrant issued under section 27 of the Ordinance, he shall be given into the custody of the Commissioner of Correctional Services, who shall produce such debtor before the court as it may from time to time direct, and shall safely keep him until such time as the court otherwise orders; and any books, papers, moneys, goods and chattels in the possession of the debtor, which may be seized, shall forthwith be lodged with the Official Receiver or trustee, as the case may be.(L.N. 231 of 1984) 28. Procedure when warrant issued under section 29(2) of Ordinance (1) When a person is apprehended under a warrant issued under section 29(2) of the Ordinance, the officer apprehending him shall forthwith bring him before the court to the end that he may be examined, and if he cannot immediately be brought up for examination or examined the officer shall deliver him into the custody of the Commissioner of Correctional Services and the said Commissioner shall receive him into custody and shall produce him before the court as it may from time to time direct or order, and subject to such direction or order shall safely keep him. (L.N. 231 of 1984)(2) The officer executing a warrant issued under section 29(2) of the Ordinance shall forthwith, after apprehending the person named in the warrant report to the court the apprehension or delivery into custody, as the case may be, and apply to the court to appoint a day and time for the examination of the person so apprehended, and the court shall thereupon appoint the earliest practicable day for the examination and shall issue its direction or order to the said Commissioner to produce him for examination at a place and time to be mentioned in such direction or order. Notice of any such appointment shall forthwith be given by the Registrar to the Official Receiver, trustee or other person who has applied for the examination or warrant. (G.N.A. 124 of 1955) 29. Application to commit An application to the court to commit any person for contempt of court shall be supported by affidavit. 30. Notice and hearing of application Subject to the provisions of the Ordinance and these rules, upon the filing of an application to commit, the court shall fix a time and place to hear the application, notice whereof shall be personally served on the person sought to be committed, not less than 3 days before the day fixed for the hearing of the application:Provided that in any case in which the court may think fit, the court may allow substituted service of the notice by advertisement or otherwise, or shorten the length of notice to be given. Division 8 Service of Petition, Orders, etc. on Debtor (L.N. 46 of 1964; L.N. 150 of 2014) 31. Service of petition, etc. When the debtor is not in Hong Kong, or cannot be found, the court may order service on him of the petition or any order made against him, or of any summons issued for his attendance, to be effected within such time and in such manner as it thinks fit.(G.N.A. 124 of 1955; L.N. 231 of 1984; L.N. 77 of 1998) Division 9 Costs and Taxation (L.N. 150 of 2014) 32. Regulations as to costs The regulations as to costs contained in the Schedule shall, subject to these rules, apply to the taxation and allowance of costs and charges in all proceedings under the Ordinance and these rules. 32A. Costs (1) When awarding costs the court may—(a) direct that the costs of any matter or application—(i) shall be taxed and paid as between party and party or as between solicitor and client, on the basis of a common fund in which the client and others are interested; or(ii) may be allowed as between solicitor and own client; or(b) fix a sum to be paid in lieu of taxed costs.(2) Unless the court otherwise directs, the costs of an application to the court which is opposed shall follow the event and shall be taxed as between party and party.(3) Where—(a) an action is brought against the Official Receiver or trustee as representing the estate of the debtor; or(b) the Official Receiver or trustee is made a party to any proceedings on the application of any other party,the Official Receiver or trustee shall not be personally liable for costs unless the court otherwise directs.(L.N. 39 of 1976) 33. Solicitor’s costs in case of petition by debtor The solicitor in the matter of a bankruptcy petition presented by the debtor against himself shall in his bill of costs give credit for such sum or security (if any) as he may have received from the debtor as a deposit on account of the costs and expenses to be incurred in and about the filing and prosecution of such petition, and the amount of any such deposit shall be noted by the taxing officer upon the allocatur issued for such costs. 34. Certificate of employment Before taxing the bill or charges of any solicitor, manager, accountant, auctioneer, broker or other person employed by the trustee, the taxing officer shall require a certificate in writing, signed by the trustee, to be produced to him, setting forth whether any, and if so what, special terms of remuneration have been agreed to, and, in the case of the bill of costs of a solicitor, a copy of the resolution or other authority sanctioning the employment.(L.N. 123 of 2007) 35. Lodgment of bill (1) The bill or charges shall be lodged with—(a) (if incurred before the appointment of a trustee) the provisional trustee; or(b) (if incurred after the appointment of a trustee) the trustee.(2) The provisional trustee or trustee, as the case may be, shall lodge the bill or charges with the taxing officer.(L.N. 123 of 2007) 36. Notice of appointment Where a bill of costs or charges has been lodged with the taxing officer, he shall give notice of appointment to tax the same to the provisional trustee or trustee, and to the person to or by whom the bill or charges is or are to be paid, as the case may be.(L.N. 123 of 2007) 37. Copy of bill Every person whose bill or charges is or are to be taxed shall, on the application of either the Official Receiver or the trustee, furnish a copy of his bill or charges so to be taxed. The Official Receiver shall call the attention of the trustee to any items which in his opinion ought to be disallowed or reduced and may attend or be represented on the taxation. 38. Applications for costs Where any party to or person affected by any proceeding desires to make an application for an order that he be allowed his costs, or any part of them, incident to such proceeding, and such application is not made at the time of the proceeding—(a) such party or person shall serve notice of his intended application on the trustee;(b) the trustee may appear on such application and object thereto;(c) no costs of or incident to such application shall be allowed to the applicant unless the court is satisfied that the application could not have been made at the time of the proceeding.(L.N. 123 of 2007) 39. (Repealed L.N. 123 of 2007) 40. Disallowance of costs of unnecessary petition In any case in which, after a bankruptcy petition has been presented by a creditor against a debtor and before the hearing of such petition, the debtor files a petition and a bankruptcy order is made on the petition of the debtor, unless in the opinion of the court the estate has benefited thereby or there are special circumstances which make it just that such costs should be allowed, no costs shall be allowed to the debtor or his solicitor out of the estate.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 41. Apportionment of costs in case of partnership In the case of a bankruptcy petition against a partnership, the costs payable out of the estates incurred up to and inclusive of the bankruptcy order shall be apportioned between the joint and separate estates in such proportions as the trustee may in his discretion determine.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 42. Costs out of joint and separate estates (1) Where the joint estate of any co-debtors is insufficient to defray any costs or charges properly incurred prior to the appointment of the trustee, the Official Receiver may pay or direct the trustee to pay such costs or charges out of the separate estates of such co-debtors, or one or more of them, in such proportions as in his discretion the Official Receiver may think fit. The Official Receiver may also, as in his discretion he may think fit, pay or direct the trustee to pay any costs or charges properly incurred, prior to the appointment of the trustee, for any separate estate out of the joint estate or out of any other separate estate, and any part of the costs or charges of the joint estate incurred prior to the appointment of the trustee which affects any separate estate out of that separate estate.(2) Where the joint estate of any co-debtors is insufficient to defray any costs or charges properly incurred after the appointment of the trustee, the trustee, with such consent as is hereinafter mentioned, may pay such costs or charges out of the separate estates of such co-debtors, or one or more of them. The trustee, with the said consent, may also pay any costs or charges properly incurred for any separate estate, after his appointment, out of the joint estate, and any part of the costs or charges of the joint estate incurred after his appointment which affects any separate estate out of that separate estate. No payment under this rule shall be made out of a separate estate or joint estate by a trustee without the consent of the creditors’ committee of the estate out of which the payment is intended to be made, or if such committee withhold or refuse their consent, without an order of the court. (G.N.A. 124 of 1955; L.N. 77 of 1998) Part 3 Proceedings in Bankruptcy (L.N. 150 of 2014) 43. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) Division 1 Statutory Demand (L.N. 150 of 2014) 44. Form and content of statutory demand (1) A statutory demand under section 6A of the Ordinance must be dated, and be signed either by the creditor himself or by a person stating himself to be authorized to make the demand on the creditor’s behalf.(2) The statutory demand must specify whether it is made under section 6A(1) or (2) of the Ordinance.(3) The statutory demand must state the amount of the debt, and the consideration for it (or, if there is no consideration, the way in which it arises) and—(a) if made under section 6A(1) of the Ordinance and founded on a judgment or order of a court, it must give details of the judgment or order; or(b) if made under section 6A(2) of the Ordinance, it must state the grounds on which it is alleged that the debtor appears to have no reasonable prospect of paying the debt.(4) If the amount claimed in the statutory demand includes—(a) any charge by way of interest not previously notified to the debtor as a liability of his; or(b) any other charge accruing from time to time,the amount or rate of the charge must be separately identified, the grounds on which payment of it is claimed must be stated, and in either case the amount claimed must be limited to that which has accrued due at the date of the demand.(5) If the creditor holds any security in respect of the debt, the full amount of the debt shall be specified, but—(a) there shall in the statutory demand be specified the nature of the security, and the value which the creditor puts upon it as at the date of the demand; and(b) the amount of which payment is claimed by the demand shall be the full amount of the debt, less the amount specified as the value of the security.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 45. Information to be given in statutory demand (1) The statutory demand must include an explanation to the debtor of the following matters—(a) the purpose of the demand, and the fact that, if the debtor does not comply with the demand, bankruptcy proceedings may be commenced against him;(b) the time within which the demand must be complied with, if that consequence is to be avoided;(c) the methods of compliance which are open to the debtor; and(d) his right to apply to the court for the demand to be set aside.(2) The statutory demand must—(a) specify one or more named individuals with whom the debtor may, if he wishes, enter into communication with a view to securing or compounding for the debt to the satisfaction of the creditor or (as the case may be) establishing to the creditor’s satisfaction that there is a reasonable prospect that the debt will be paid when it falls due; and(b) in the case of any individual so named in the demand give his address and also his telephone number (if any).(L.N. 77 of 1998) 46. Requirements as to service (1) Rule 49 has effect as regards service of the statutory demand, and proof of that service by affidavit to be filed with a bankruptcy petition.(2) The creditor shall do all that is reasonable for the purpose of bringing the statutory demand to the debtor’s attention and, if practicable in the particular circumstances, to cause personal service of the demand to be effected.(3) Where the statutory demand is for payment of a sum due under a judgment or order of any court and the creditor knows, or believes with reasonable cause—(a) that the debtor has absconded or is keeping out of the way with a view to avoiding service; and(b) there is no real prospect of the sum due being recovered by execution or other process,the demand may be advertised in one or more newspapers; and the time limited for compliance with the demand runs from the date of the advertisement’s appearance or (as the case may be) its first appearance.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 47. Application to set aside statutory demand (1) The debtor may, within the period allowed by this rule, apply to the court for an order setting the statutory demand aside.(2) The period referred to in subrule (1) is 18 days from the date of the service on him of the statutory demand or, where the demand is advertised in a newspaper pursuant to rule 46, from the date of the advertisement’s appearance or (as the case may be) its first appearance. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(3) Starting with the date on which the application is filed in court, the time limited for compliance with the statutory demand ceases to run, subject to any order of the court under rule 48(7).(4) The debtor’s application shall be supported by an affidavit—(a) specifying the date on which the statutory demand came into his hands; and(b) stating the grounds on which he claims that it should be set aside,and the affidavit shall have exhibited to it a copy of the statutory demand.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 48. Hearing of application to set aside (1) On receipt of an application under rule 47, the court may, if satisfied that no sufficient cause is shown for it, dismiss it without giving notice to the creditor.(2) Starting with the date on which the application is dismissed, the time limited for compliance with the statutory demand runs again.(3) If the application is not dismissed under subrule (1), the court shall fix the date, time and place for it to be heard, and shall give at least 7 days’ notice thereof to— (L.N. 150 of 2014)(a) the debtor or, if the debtor’s application was made by a solicitor acting for him, the solicitor;(b) the creditor; and(c) whoever is named in the statutory demand as the person with whom the debtor may enter into communication with reference to the demand (or, if more than one person is so named, the first of them).(4) On the hearing of the application, the court shall consider the evidence then available to it, and may either summarily determine the application or adjourn it, giving such directions as it thinks appropriate.(5) The court may grant the application if—(a) the debtor appears to have a counterclaim, set-off or cross demand which equals or exceeds the amount of the debt or debts specified in the statutory demand;(b) the debt is disputed on grounds which appear to the court to be substantial;(c) it appears that the creditor holds some security in respect of the debt claimed by the demand, and either rule 44(5) is not complied with in respect of it, or the court is satisfied that the value of the security equals or exceeds the full amount of the debt; or(d) the court is satisfied, on other grounds, that the demand ought to be set aside.(6) Where the creditor holds some security in respect of his debt, and rule 44(5) is complied with in respect of it but the court is satisfied that the security is under-valued in the statutory demand, the creditor may be required to amend the demand accordingly (but without prejudice to his right to present a bankruptcy petition by reference to the original demand).(7) If the court dismisses the application, it shall make an order authorizing the creditor to present a bankruptcy petition either forthwith, or on or after a date specified in the order.(8) A copy of the order shall be sent by the applicant forthwith to the creditor.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 49. Proof of service of statutory demand (1) Where under section 6A of the Ordinance the petition must have been preceded by a statutory demand, there must be filed in court, with the petition, an affidavit proving service of the demand.(2) Every affidavit must have exhibited to it a copy of the demand as served.(3) Subject to subrule (4), if the statutory demand has been served personally on the debtor, the affidavit must be made by the person who effected that service. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(4) If service of the statutory demand (however effected) has been acknowledged in writing either by the debtor himself, or by some person stating himself in the acknowledgment to be authorized to accept service on the debtor’s behalf, the affidavit must be made either by the creditor or by a person acting on his behalf, and the acknowledgment of service must be exhibited to the affidavit.(5) If neither subrule (3) nor (4) applies, the affidavit must be made by a person having direct personal knowledge of the means adopted for serving the statutory demand, and must— (L.N. 150 of 2014)(a) give particulars of the steps which have been taken with a view to serving the demand personally;(b) state the means whereby (those steps having been ineffective) it was sought to bring the demand to the debtor’s attention; and(c) specify a date by which, to the best of the knowledge, information and belief of the person making the affidavit, the demand will have come to the debtor’s attention.(6) The steps of which particulars are given for the purposes of subrule (5)(a) must be such as would have sufficed to justify an order for substituted service of a petition. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(7) If the affidavit specifies a date for the purposes of compliance with subrule (5)(c), then unless the court otherwise orders, that date is deemed for the purposes of these rules to have been the date on which the statutory demand was served on the debtor. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(8) Where the creditor has taken advantage of rule 46(3), the affidavit must be made either by the creditor himself or by a person having direct personal knowledge of the circumstances; and there must be specified in the affidavit—(a) the means of the creditor’s knowledge or (as the case may be) belief required for the purposes of that rule; and(b) the date or dates on which, and the newspaper in which, the statutory demand was advertised under that rule,and there shall be exhibited to the affidavit a copy of any advertisement of the demand.(9) The court may decline to file the petition if not satisfied that the creditor has discharged the obligation imposed on him by rule 46(2).(L.N. 77 of 1998) Division 2 Petitions (L.N. 150 of 2014) 50. Description and address of debtor (1) Where a petition is presented by a debtor, he shall, besides inserting therein his name, description, Hong Kong Identity Card number or passport number and his address at the date when the petition is presented, further describe himself as lately residing or carrying on business at the address or several addresses, as the case may be, at which he has incurred debts and liabilities which at the date of the petition remain unpaid or unsatisfied. (L.N. 77 of 1998)(2) Where a petition is presented against a debtor who resides or carries on business at an address other than the address at which the debtor was residing or carrying on business at the time of contracting the debt or liability in respect of which the petition is presented, the petitioning creditor, in addition to stating in the petition the description of the debtor as of his then present address and description, shall in the petition describe the debtor as lately residing or carrying on business at the address at which he was residing or carrying on business when the debt or liability was incurred.(3) A petitioner who is not the debtor shall state the debtor’s Hong Kong Identity Card number or passport number in the petition unless he does not have such information and cannot reasonably obtain it. (L.N. 77 of 1998) 51. Attestation Every bankruptcy petition shall be attested. If it be attested in Hong Kong, the witness must be a solicitor or the Official Receiver or the Registrar. If it be attested out of Hong Kong, the witness must be a judge or magistrate or a Chinese consular officer or a notary public of the jurisdiction where the attestation takes place.(L.N. 231 of 1984; L.N. 77 of 1998) 51A. Copies of documents filed in bankruptcy proceedings to be served on Official Receiver Where a petitioner presents or files at court any document in connexion with any bankruptcy proceedings, he or his solicitor shall, within 24 hours of such presentation or filing, serve a copy of the document presented or filed on the Official Receiver.(L.N. 272 of 1977) 52. Deposit by petitioner (1) Upon the presentation of a petition, the petitioner shall pay to the Official Receiver a deposit of—(a) in the case of a debtor’s petition, the sum of $8,000; or(b) in the case of a creditor’s petition, the sum of $11,250. (L.N. 169 of 2013)(2) No petition shall be received unless the receipt of the Official Receiver for the deposit payable under subrule (1) is produced to the Registrar. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(3) After presenting a petition, the petitioner shall deposit with the Official Receiver such further sum as the court may, on the application of the Official Receiver, from time to time direct.(4) The deposit and any further deposit paid shall be applied to cover the fees, charges and percentages prescribed in the Bankruptcy (Fees and Percentages) Order (Cap. 6 sub. leg. C) and payable to the Official Receiver, and costs, charges and expenses incurred or authorized by the Official Receiver, whether acting as trustee or otherwise, including the costs of any person properly employed by him.(5) After the deposit and any further deposit have been so applied, the Official Receiver shall—(a) in the case of a debtor’s petition where a provisional trustee is appointed under section 12(1A) of the Ordinance—(i) retain any balance of the deposit and further deposit, which shall be applied in accordance with section 37(1) of the Ordinance; and(ii) after complying with subparagraph (i), account for and pay any unexpended balance of the deposit and further deposit to the trustee; or(b) in the case of a debtor’s petition other than that referred to in paragraph (a) and in the case of a creditor’s petition, account for and pay any unexpended balance of the deposit and further deposit to the trustee. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(6) The trustee shall account for any unexpended balance of the deposit and further deposit paid to him under subrule (5)(a)(ii) or (b)— (L.N. 150 of 2014)(a) in the case of a debtor’s petition, to the bankrupt’s estate; or(b) in the case of a creditor’s petition, to that creditor.(7) For the purposes of subrule (6)(b), the trustee shall— (L.N. 150 of 2014)(a) pay any unexpended balance of the deposit and further deposit to that creditor; and(b) repay the amount of the deposit and further deposit expended and applied under subrule (4) to that creditor out of the assets of the bankrupt in accordance with section 37(1) of the Ordinance. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(L.N. 123 of 2007) 52A. Deposits in respect of voluntary arrangements (1) Unless the applicant is also the nominee, where an application is made for an interim order under section 20A of the Ordinance, the applicant or some other person on his behalf shall, at the time of making the application, deposit with the nominee the sum of $12,150, and such further sum (if any) as the applicant and nominee may agree to or as the court may from time to time direct, to cover the fees, expenses and remuneration to be incurred by the nominee in connection with the work done by him in respect of the voluntary arrangement.(2) This rule applies whether or not the voluntary arrangement is approved by the creditors.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 53. Registration of petition in Land Registry When a petition is filed, the Official Receiver may register a memorial of the petition in the Land Registry against any property registered therein in the name of the debtor or in any alias of his or in his t’ong name, or in the name of any t’ong in which he has any share or interest, or in the name of any spouse of the debtor. This provision shall so far as the nature of the case will admit apply in the case of any person carrying on business in a name or style other than his own.(8 of 1993 s. 30; L.N. 77 of 1998; 20 of 2002 s. 5) 54. Registration of petition in Land Registry against partner The Official Receiver may in either of the cases mentioned in rule 133 or 135 register a memorial of the petition in the Land Registry against any property registered in the name or names of any partner or partners in the debtor firm or in any alias of his or theirs or in any t’ong name of his or theirs, or in the name of any t’ong in which he or they has or have any share or interest, or in the name of the spouse of any of them.(8 of 1993 s. 30; L.N. 77 of 1998; 20 of 2002 s. 5) Division 3 Creditor’s Petition (L.N. 150 of 2014) 55. Security for costs A petitioning creditor who is resident out of the jurisdiction, or whose estate is vested in a trustee under any law relating to bankruptcy, or against whom a petition is pending under the Ordinance, or who has made default in payment of any costs ordered by any court to be paid by him to the debtor, may be ordered to give security for costs to the debtor. 56. Verification Every creditor’s petition shall be verified by affidavit, and when it is filed there shall be lodged with it one copy to be sealed and issued to the petitioner. 57. Who to verify When the petitioning creditor cannot himself verify all the statements contained in his petition, he shall file in support of the petition the affidavit of some person who can depose to them. 58. Joint petitioners Where a petition is presented by 2 or more creditors jointly, it shall not be necessary for each creditor to depose to the truth of all the statements which are within his own knowledge, but it shall be sufficient that each statement in the petition is deposed to by someone within whose knowledge it is. Division 4 Service of Creditor’s Petition (L.N. 150 of 2014) 59. Service (1) Service of a creditor’s petition shall be effected by the creditor or his solicitor, or a person in their employment, delivering a sealed copy of the petition to the debtor.(2) If the court is satisfied by affidavit or other evidence on oath that prompt personal service cannot be effected because the debtor is evading service of the petition or any other legal process, or for any other cause, it may order substituted service to be effected in such manner as it thinks fit.(3) Where an order under subrule (2) has been carried out, the petition shall be deemed to have been duly served on the debtor. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(L.N. 194 of 1987) 60. Death of debtor before service of petition If a debtor against whom a bankruptcy petition has been filed dies before service thereof, the court may order service to be effected on the personal representatives of the debtor or on the Official Administrator or on such other persons as the court may think fit. Division 5 Interim Trustee (L.N. 123 of 2007; L.N. 150 of 2014) 61. Form and contents of order Where an order is made appointing the Official Receiver to be interim trustee of the property of the debtor, such order shall state the nature and, so far as it is known, the locality of the property of which the Official Receiver is ordered to take possession.(L.N. 123 of 2007) 62. Deposit Before any such order is made, the person who has made the application therefor shall deposit with the Official Receiver the sum of $3,000 towards the prescribed fee for the Official Receiver, and such further sum as the court directs for the expenses which may be incurred by him.(L.N. 46 of 1964; L.N. 143 of 1985; L.N. 429 of 1993) 63. Further deposit necessary If the sum of $3,000, and such further sum so to be deposited for the expenses which may be incurred by the Official Receiver, proves to be insufficient, the person on whose application the order has been made shall from time to time deposit with the Official Receiver such additional sum as the court may, on the application of the Official Receiver, from time to time direct, and such sum shall be deposited within 48 hours after the making of a written request therefor. If such additional sum be not so deposited, the order appointing the interim trustee may be discharged by the court.(G.N.A. 124 of 1955; L.N. 46 of 1964; L.N. 143 of 1985; 80 of 1997 s. 102; L.N. 123 of 2007) 64. Repayment of deposit If an order appointing an interim trustee is followed by a bankruptcy order, the deposits made by the creditor on whose application such interim trustee was appointed shall be repaid to him (except and so far as such deposits may be required by reason of insufficiency of assets for the payment of the fees chargeable and the expenses incurred by the interim trustee) out of the proceeds of the estate in the order of priority prescribed by the Ordinance.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007)[cf. Cap. 6 s. 37] 65. Damages if petition dismissed Where, after an order has been made appointing an interim trustee, the petition is dismissed, the court shall, upon application to be made within 21 days from the date of the dismissal thereof, adjudicate with respect to any damages or claim thereto arising out of the appointment and shall make such order as the court thinks fit, and such decision or order shall be final and conclusive between the parties.(L.N. 123 of 2007) Division 6 Hearing of Petition (L.N. 150 of 2014) 66. Time of hearing The Registrar shall appoint the time and place at which the petition will be heard and notice thereof shall be written on the petition and sealed copy. Where the petition has not been served, the Registrar may appoint another time and place for such hearing.(L.N. 123 of 2007) 67. Several respondents Where there are more respondents than one to a petition, the rules as to service shall be observed with respect to each respondent, but where all the respondents have not been served the petition may be heard separately or collectively as to the respondent or such of the respondents as has or have been served, and separately or collectively as to the respondents not then served according as service upon them is effected. 68. Debtor intending to show cause Where a debtor intends to show cause against a petition, he shall file a notice with the Official Receiver specifying the grounds on which he intends to show cause, and shall post to the petitioning creditor or to his solicitor a copy of the notice, in each case 3 days before the day on which the petition is to be heard. 69. Non-appearance of debtor If the debtor does not appear at the hearing, the court may on hearing the petitioning creditor and the Official Receiver either dismiss the petition or make a bankruptcy order on such proof of the statements in the petition and of the amount of assets and liabilities as the court thinks sufficient.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 70. Hearing of petition On the hearing of the petition, the amount of assets and liabilities, and in the case of a creditor’s petition any matters which the debtor has given notice that he intends to dispute, shall be proved. 71. Non-appearance of creditor If any creditor neglects to appear on his petition, no subsequent petition against the same debtor or debtors, or any of them, either alone or jointly with any other person, shall without the leave of the court be presented by the same creditor in respect of the same debt.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 72. Application to withdraw petition No application to withdraw a petition shall be heard except upon proof that notice of the intended application and a copy of the affidavits in support thereof have been duly served upon the Official Receiver not less than 7 days before the day named in the notice for hearing the application. Division 7 Bankruptcy Order, etc. (G.N.A. 124 of 1955; L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 150 of 2014) 72A. Drawing up and contents of bankruptcy order (1) It shall be the duty of the petitioner, or his solicitor, and of all other persons who have appeared on the hearing of the petition, at latest on the day following the day on which a bankruptcy order is pronounced in court, to leave with the Registrar a draft of the order and all other documents required for the purpose of enabling the Registrar to complete the order forthwith.(2) It shall not be necessary for the Registrar to make an appointment to settle an order unless in any particular case the special circumstances make an appointment necessary.(3) A bankruptcy order, or an order for the appointment of an interim trustee shall contain at the foot thereof a notice stating that it will be the duty of the petitioner or the debtor to attend on the interim trustee, provisional trustee or trustee, as the case may be, at such time and place as he may appoint and to give him all information he may require. (L.N. 123 of 2007)(L.N. 272 of 1977; L.N. 77 of 1998) 73. Registration of bankruptcy order in Land Registry Where a bankruptcy order is made, the trustee may register a memorial of such bankruptcy order in the Land Registry against any property registered therein in the name of the debtor or in any alias of his or in his t’ong name, or in the name of any t’ong in which he has any share or interest, or in the name of the spouse of the debtor.(8 of 1993 s. 30; L.N. 77 of 1998; 20 of 2002 s. 5; L.N. 123 of 2007) 74. Registration of bankruptcy order in Land Registry against partner Where a bankruptcy order is made against a firm, the trustee may register a memorial thereof in the Land Registry against any property registered in the name of any partner or partners in the debtor firm or in any alias of his or theirs or in any t’ong name of his or theirs, or in the name of any t’ong in which he or they has or have any share or interest, or in the name of the spouse of any partner.(8 of 1993 s. 30; L.N. 77 of 1998; 20 of 2002 s. 5; L.N. 123 of 2007) 75. Service of bankruptcy order The trustee shall cause a sealed copy of a bankruptcy order to be served on the debtor.(G.N.A. 124 of 1955; L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 76. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 77. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 78. Publication of notice of bankruptcy order (22 of 2023 s. 35)Where a bankruptcy order is made the Official Receiver shall forthwith publish a notice of the order by the specified means.(L.N. 77 of 1998; 22 of 2023 s. 35) 79. Costs of petition, etc. (1) Subject to subrules (2), (3) and (4), the costs of all proceedings under the Ordinance down to and including the making of the bankruptcy order shall be borne by the party prosecuting the same. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(2) The court may at any time order that the debtor shall pay the whole or any part of the costs.(3) Where a bankruptcy order is made on the petition of the debtor while a creditor’s petition against him is pending, the court may order that the costs shall be paid out of the estate.(4) Where a bankruptcy order is made on a creditor’s petition, the costs of the petitioning creditor shall be taxed and paid out of the estate.(L.N. 39 of 1976; L.N. 77 of 1998) 79A.

Official Receiver’s costs where proceeds of estate insufficient When the proceeds of the estate are not sufficient for the payment of any costs necessarily incurred by the Official Receiver in excess of the deposit made under rule 52 after the making of the bankruptcy order the court may order such costs to be paid by the party prosecuting the proceedings.(L.N. 39 of 1976; L.N. 77 of 1998) 80. Application to annul bankruptcy order or to stay proceedings thereunder (1) An application to the court to annul a bankruptcy order or to stay proceedings thereunder, made by any person other than the Official Receiver or trustee shall not be heard except upon proof that notice of the intended application and a copy of the affidavits in support thereof have been duly served upon the Official Receiver or trustee, as the case may be. Notice of any such application shall be served on the Official Receiver or trustee, as the case may be, not less than 7 days before the day named in the notice for hearing the application. Pending the hearing of the application, the court may make an interim order staying such of the proceedings as it thinks fit.(1A) Before an application referred to in subrule (1) is heard by the court, the applicant shall, if he considers that notice of annulment should be advertised or gazetted under section 33(5) of the Ordinance in the event the application is successful, deposit with the Official Receiver or trustee the costs thereof, as estimated by the Official Receiver or trustee. (L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 150 of 2014)(2) In any case in which any such application is made by the Official Receiver or trustee, 4 days’ notice thereof and a copy of any report in support thereof shall be served on the bankrupt and the petitioning creditor (if any) and the trustee where he is not the applicant: Provided that where such service is found to be impracticable by reason that the bankrupt or the petitioning creditor is out of Hong Kong or cannot be found at his usual or last known address or place of business no objection shall be taken to the application on the ground of such service not having been effected. (3) Where an application is made to the court under section 33(1)(b) of the Ordinance to annul a bankruptcy order, the trustee shall and the Official Receiver (where he is not the trustee) may make and file 4 days before the day appointed for hearing the application a report as to the bankrupt’s conduct and affairs, including a report as to his conduct during the proceedings, and the court on the hearing of the application shall hear and consider such report and such further evidence as may be adduced by any party, and any objections which may be made by the Official Receiver, or by or on behalf of the trustee (if any) or any creditor whom the court may order to be served with notice of the application or may permit to appear thereon. For the purposes of the application, any report made by the Official Receiver under this subrule shall be prima facie evidence of the statements therein contained. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(3A) Where an order is made annulling a bankruptcy order, the trustee shall, on application by the former bankrupt, issue to him a certificate confirming such annulment. (L.N. 77 of 1998)(4) For the purposes of this rule creditor (債權人) includes all creditors mentioned in the bankrupt’s statement of affairs or who have notified to the trustee that they have, or at the date of the bankruptcy order had, claims against the bankrupt.(L.N. 231 of 1984; L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) Division 8 Statement of Affairs (L.N. 150 of 2014) 81. How made out The statement of affairs shall be made out in duplicate, and one copy shall be verified. The trustee shall file in court the verified statement of affairs submitted to him by the bankrupt.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 81A. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 82. Extension of time Where any bankrupt requires any extension of the time for the filing by him of his statement of affairs, the bankrupt shall apply to the trustee, who may, if he thinks fit, give a written certificate extending such time.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) Division 9 Public Examination (L.N. 150 of 2014) 82A. Application for public examination (1) An application by the Official Receiver or trustee under section 19 of the Ordinance for the public examination of a bankrupt shall be made inter partes and the evidence in support of the application may be in the form of a report to the court setting out the reasons why such an examination is needed. (L.N. 123 of 2007)(2) A report to the court under subrule (1) shall be confidential but the court may, on application, allow the bankrupt to see all or part of the report provided the bankrupt satisfies the court that it would be unfair to him not to allow him to see it. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(3) Where a creditor intends to question a bankrupt, he shall, not less than 7 days before the date of the examination, provide the Official Receiver or trustee, as the case may be, with a list of the topics on which he intends to put such questions.(4) A record signed by the bankrupt under section 19 of the Ordinance shall be open to the inspection of any creditor at all reasonable times upon payment of the prescribed fee.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 82B. Preliminary public examination proceedings (1) A bankrupt in respect of whom the court has made an order under section 19 of the Ordinance shall, unless the court otherwise orders, attend— (L.N. 123 of 2007)(a) where the application for public examination is made by the Official Receiver, at a time and place to be notified to him by the Official Receiver in writing to be examined as to his affairs by the Official Receiver;(b) where the application for public examination is made by the trustee, at a time and place to be notified to him by the trustee in writing to be examined as to his affairs by the trustee.(2) The notice shall also require the bankrupt to bring with him a list of his creditors, particulars of his assets and any books of account and other documents relevant to an investigation of his affairs not already delivered to the Official Receiver or trustee, as the case may be.(3) At the conclusion of the preliminary examination of the bankrupt the examiner shall prepare notes of such parts of the information given by the bankrupt as he considers necessary or desirable to place on record.(4) A copy of such notes shall be served by the Official Receiver or trustee, as the case may be, on the bankrupt sufficiently before his public examination to enable him to be advised thereon, if he so wishes.(5) The bankrupt may adopt the notes of his preliminary examination under this rule as or as part of his evidence at his public examination, and, when so adopted, they shall be read out by the Official Receiver or trustee, as the case may be, signed by the bankrupt and filed as the notes or part of the notes of his public examination.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 83. Adjournments sine die Where the court is of opinion that a bankrupt is failing to disclose his affairs or where the bankrupt has failed to attend the public examination or any adjournment thereof or where the bankrupt has not complied with any order of the court in relation to his accounts, conduct, dealings and property and no good cause is shown by him for such failure, the court may forthwith commit the bankrupt for contempt of court or may adjourn the public examination sine die, and may make such further or other order as the court thinks fit.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 84. Application to proceed The court may on the application of the Official Receiver, trustee or bankrupt appoint a day for proceeding with a public examination which has been adjourned sine die.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 85. Proceeding after adjournment sine die Where an examination has been adjourned sine die and the bankrupt desires to have a day appointed for proceeding with his public examination, the expense of publishing and giving notice to creditors of the day to be appointed for proceeding with such examination shall, unless the Official Receiver or trustee, as the case may be, consents to the costs being paid out of the estate, be at the cost of the bankrupt, who shall, before any day is appointed for proceeding with the public examination, deposit with the Official Receiver or trustee, as the case may be, such sum as he may specify to the bankrupt that he considers sufficient to defray the expense aforesaid. The balance of the deposit after defraying the expense aforesaid shall be returned to the bankrupt.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007; 22 of 2023 s. 36) 86. Notice of public examination In any case in which a public examination has been ordered under section 19(4) of the Ordinance or has been adjourned sine die and the court afterwards makes an order for proceeding with such public examination, the Official Receiver or trustee (whoever makes the application under section 19(1) of the Ordinance) shall— (L.N. 123 of 2007)(a) send notice of the date, time and place appointed for such public examination to all persons mentioned in section 19(5) of the Ordinance; and(b) publish such notice by the specified means at least 7 days before the day so appointed. (22 of 2023 s. 37)(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 87. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 87A. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) Division 10 Inquiry into Bankrupt’s Conduct, Dealings and Property (L.N. 150 of 2014) 87B. Application (1) Where an application is made under section 29 of the Ordinance, the application shall be in writing and shall sufficiently identify the person in respect of whom the application is made and shall state whether the person is—(a) to be ordered to appear before the court;(b) to answer interrogatories (if so, particulars are to be given of the matters in respect of which answers are required);(c) to submit affidavits (if so, particulars are to be given of the matters to which he is required to swear); or(d) to produce books, papers or other records (if so, the items in question are to be specified),or for any 2 or more of those purposes.(2) The application shall be made inter partes unless the applicant satisfies the court that the respondent or others may take actions which would prejudicially affect the estate. An application for an order to submit an affidavit shall also be made inter partes unless the applicant satisfies the court that it would likely prejudice the interests of the estate if it were so made.(3) Where the application is for an order to submit an affidavit and the person appeals against the order, he need not continue with the preparation of the affidavit before the hearing of the appeal unless the Court of First Instance, on application, so orders.(4) The evidence in support of an application under this rule may be in the form of a report to the court setting out the reasons why an order is needed.(5) The court may, on application, allow the person in respect of whom the order is made to see all or part of the report provided he satisfies the court that it would be unfair to him not to allow him to see it.(6) Where the application is for an order to appear before the court, the person in respect of whom the order is made may, but not at the expense of the estate unless the court otherwise orders, employ a solicitor with or without counsel, who may put to him such questions as the court may allow for the purpose of enabling him to explain or qualify any answer given by him, and may make representations on his behalf.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 87C. Costs (1) Where—(a) the court has made an order under section 29 of the Ordinance summoning a person before it and it appears to the court that the summoning was made necessary because information had been unjustifiably refused by such person; or(b) the court makes an order that a person delivers up property to the Official Receiver or trustee or to discharge a debt due to the bankrupt,the court may order that the costs of the proceedings be paid by that person.(2) Where a person in respect of whom an order has been made under section 29 of the Ordinance co-operates fully with the Official Receiver or trustee in providing the necessary information, the court may order that that person be paid, out of the bankrupt’s estate, the reasonable costs incurred by him in providing such information.(L.N. 77 of 1998) Division 11 Discharge (L.N. 150 of 2014) 88. Application for suspension of discharge (1) The following applies where the trustee or one of the bankrupt’s creditors applies to the court for an order under section 30A(3) of the Ordinance.(2) Where the application is made by—(a) the Official Receiver, as trustee, he shall with his application file a report; or(b) a trustee other than the Official Receiver or by a creditor, he shall with his application file an affidavit,setting out the reasons why it appears to him that such an order should be made.(3) The court shall fix the date, time and place for the hearing of the application, and give notice of it to the trustee and the bankrupt and, where the applicant is a creditor, to the applicant.(4) Copies of the applicant’s report or affidavit under this rule shall be sent by him to the bankrupt, and where the applicant is a creditor, to the trustee, so as to reach them at least 21 days before the date fixed for the hearing.(5) The bankrupt may, not later than 7 days before the date of the hearing, file in court a notice specifying any statements in the applicant’s report or affidavit that he intends to deny or dispute and, where he does so, he shall send copies of it, not less than 4 days before the date of the hearing, to the applicant and, where the applicant is not the trustee, to the trustee.(6) If on hearing the court makes an order suspending the bankrupt’s discharge, copies of the order shall be sent by the applicant to the bankrupt and, where the applicant is not the trustee, to the trustee.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 89. Lifting of suspension of discharge (1) Where the court has made an order under section 30A(3) of the Ordinance that the relevant period shall cease to run, the bankrupt may apply to the court for the order to be discharged. (1 of 2016 s. 9)(2) The court shall fix the date, time and place for the hearing of the application; and the bankrupt shall, not less than 28 days before the date fixed for the hearing, give notice of the venue to the trustee, accompanied in each case by a copy of the application.(3) The trustee may appear and be heard on the bankrupt’s application; and, whether or not he appears, where the trustee—(a) is the Official Receiver he may file in court a report; or(b) is not the Official Receiver he may file an affidavit in court,setting out any matters which he considers ought to be drawn to the court’s attention.(4) If a report or affidavit is filed under subrule (3), copies of it shall be sent by the trustee to the bankrupt, not later than 14 days before the hearing. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(5) The bankrupt may, not later than 7 days before the date of the hearing, file in court a notice specifying any statements in the trustee’s report or affidavit that he intends to deny or dispute and, where he does so, he shall send copies of it, not less than 4 days before the date of the hearing, to the trustee.(6) If on the bankrupt’s application the court discharges the order under section 30A(3) of the Ordinance (being satisfied that the relevant period should begin to run again), it shall issue to the bankrupt a certificate that it has done so, with effect from a specified date.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 89A. Application for non-commencement order (1) On an application for a non-commencement order against a bankrupt—(a) (if the application is made by the Official Receiver as trustee) the Official Receiver must, with the application, file in court a report setting out the matters mentioned in subrule (2); or(b) (if the application is made by a trustee other than the Official Receiver) the trustee must, with the application, file in court an affidavit setting out the matters mentioned in subrule (2).(2) The matters are that—(a) the reasons why it appears to the trustee that the order should be made;(b) (if the application is based on the matter referred to in section 30AB(1)(b)(i) of the Ordinance) the particulars of the steps taken for notifying the bankrupt of the time and place for the initial interview; and(c) the terms proposed to be complied with by the bankrupt for the relevant period to commence to run pursuant to section 30AC(4) of the Ordinance.(3) The court must—(a) fix the date, time and place for hearing the application; and(b) give notice of the hearing to the trustee and the bankrupt.(4) The trustee must send a copy of the report or affidavit to the bankrupt so as to reach the bankrupt at least 21 days before the date fixed for the hearing.(5) The bankrupt may, not less than 7 days before the date of the hearing, file in court a notice specifying any statements in the trustee’s report or affidavit that the bankrupt intends to deny or dispute.(6) The bankrupt must, not less than 4 days before the date of the hearing, send a copy of the notice under subrule (5) to the trustee.(7) If the court makes a non-commencement order against the bankrupt, the trustee must, within 14 days after the date of the order, send a copy of the order to—(a) the bankrupt; and(b) (where the trustee is not the Official Receiver) the Official Receiver.(1 of 2016 s. 10) 89B. Trustee’s notice of commencement of relevant period The trustee’s notice filed with the Registrar under section 30AC(3)(a) of the Ordinance must be in a prescribed form.(1 of 2016 s. 10) 90. Application by bankrupt for early discharge (1) If the bankrupt applies under section 30B of the Ordinance for an order discharging him from bankruptcy, he shall give to the trustee notice of the application, and deposit with him such sum as the latter may require to cover his costs and expenses of the application.(2) The court, if satisfied that subrule (1) has been complied with, shall fix the date, time and place for the hearing of the application, and give at least 42 days’ notice of it to the trustee and the bankrupt. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(3) The trustee shall give notice accordingly to every creditor who, to the trustee’s knowledge, has a claim outstanding against the estate which has not been satisfied.(4) Notices under subrule (3) shall be given not later than 14 days before the date fixed for the hearing of the bankrupt’s application. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(L.N. 77 of 1998) 91. Report or affidavit of trustee (1) Where the bankrupt makes an application under section 30B of the Ordinance, the trustee shall, at least 21 days before the date fixed for the hearing of the application, file in court, where the trustee—(a) is the Official Receiver, a report; or(b) is not the Official Receiver, an affidavit,containing the following information with respect to the bankrupt—(i) any failure by him to comply with his obligations under the Ordinance;(ii) the circumstances surrounding the present bankruptcy, and those surrounding any previous bankruptcy of his;(iii) the extent to which, in the present and in any previous bankruptcy, his liabilities have exceeded his assets; (1 of 2016 s. 11)(iv) particulars of any distribution which has been, or is expected to be, made to creditors in the present bankruptcy or, if such is the case, that there has been and is to be no distribution; and (1 of 2016 s. 11)(v) particulars of any non-commencement order against the bankrupt, (1 of 2016 s. 11)and the trustee shall include in his report or affidavit any other matters which in his opinion ought to be brought to the court’s attention.(2) The trustee shall send a copy of the report or affidavit to the bankrupt so as to reach him at least 14 days before the date of the hearing of the application under section 30B of the Ordinance.(3) The bankrupt may, not later than 7 days before the date of the hearing, file in court a notice specifying any statements in the trustee’s report or affidavit that he intends to deny or dispute and, where he does so, he shall send a copy of it, not less than 4 days before the date of the hearing, to the trustee.(4) The trustee and any creditor may appear on the hearing of the bankrupt’s application, and may make representations and put to the bankrupt such questions as the court may allow.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 92. Certificate of discharge (1) Where it appears to the court that a bankrupt is discharged, whether by expiration of time or otherwise, the court shall, on his application, issue to him a certificate of his discharge, and the date from which it is effective.(2) The discharged bankrupt may require the trustee to give notice of the discharge by the specified means. (22 of 2023 s. 38)(3) Any requirement by the discharged bankrupt under subrule (2) shall be addressed to the trustee in writing and the trustee shall notify him forthwith as to the costs of the advertisement and is under no obligation to advertise until that sum has been paid. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(4) Where the discharged bankrupt has died, the references to him in subrules (2) and (3) are to be construed as referring to his personal representative. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(5) A discharge under section 30A, 30B or 30C of the Ordinance does not release the bankrupt from any obligation arising under a confiscation order made under section 3 of the Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance (Cap. 405).(L.N. 77 of 1998) 93. Deferment of issue of order pending appeal An order made by the court on an application by the bankrupt for discharge under section 30B of the Ordinance may be stayed, and the notice mentioned in rule 92(2) need not be published, until the time allowed for appealing has expired or, if an appeal is entered, until the appeal has been determined.(L.N. 77 of 1998; 22 of 2023 s. 39) 94. Costs in respect of discharge Any costs or expenses which the trustee may have to pay arising under rules 88 to 93 shall be paid out of the bankrupt’s estate, not by the trustee personally.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 95. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 96. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 97. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 98. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 99. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) Division 12 Meetings of Creditors (L.N. 150 of 2014) 99A. Four clear days’ notice to be given of meeting If a general meeting of the bankrupt’s creditors is to be held for the purpose of appointing a first trustee, the provisional trustee shall summon the meeting, which shall be held within 16 weeks of the date of the bankruptcy order, by giving not less than 4 clear days’ notice of the date, time and place thereof by the specified means.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007; 22 of 2023 s. 40) 99B. Notice of meeting to be sent If a general meeting of the bankrupt’s creditors is to be held for the purpose of appointing a first trustee, the provisional trustee shall also as soon as practicable send to each creditor mentioned in the bankrupt’s statement of affairs a notice of the date, time and place of the meeting, but the proceedings at the meeting shall not be invalidated by reason of any such notice not having been sent or received before the meeting.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 99C. Place of meeting The meeting shall be held at the office of the provisional trustee or such other place as he may specify.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 99D. Summoning of creditors’ meeting (L.N. 123 of 2007)(1) The trustee may at any time summon a meeting of creditors, and shall do so whenever so directed by the court. (L.N. 123 of 2007)(2) Where the court directs a general meeting of creditors to be summoned under this rule, it shall be summoned as the court directs.(3) (Repealed L.N. 123 of 2007)(4) The trustee shall, not less than 7 days before such meeting, send a copy of the order to each creditor at the address given in his proof, or when he has not proved, the address given in the list of creditors by the debtor, or such other address as may be known to the trustee. (L.N. 123 of 2007)(L.N. 77 of 1998) 99E. Summoning of subsequent meetings (1) Meetings subsequent to the meeting held for the purpose of appointing a trustee shall be summoned by sending notice of the date, time and place thereof to each creditor at the address given in his proof, or if he has not proved, at the address given in the bankrupt’s statement of affairs, or at such other address as may be known to the person summoning the meeting. (L.N. 123 of 2007)(2) Where no special time is prescribed for the subsequent meeting, the notice shall be sent off not less than 3 days before the day appointed for the meeting. (L.N. 123 of 2007)(L.N. 77 of 1998) 99F. Chairman The provisional trustee or some person nominated by him shall be the chairman at the meeting held for the purpose of appointing a first trustee, and at subsequent meetings until the appointment of a trustee when such trustee shall be the chairman.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 99G. Entitlement to vote A person shall not be entitled to vote as a creditor at the meeting held for the purpose of appointing a trustee or any other meeting of creditors unless he has duly proved a debt provable in bankruptcy to be due to him from the bankrupt and the proof has been duly lodged 24 hours at least before the time appointed for the meeting.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 99H. Unliquidated or contingent debt A creditor shall not vote at any such meeting in respect of any unliquidated or contingent debt or any debt the value of which is not ascertained.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 99I. Value of secured creditor’s security (1) For the purpose of voting, a secured creditor shall, unless he surrenders his security, state in his proof the particulars of his security, the date when it was given and the value at which he assesses it, and shall be entitled to vote only in respect of the balance (if any) due to him after deducting the value of his security.(2) If he votes in respect of his whole debt he shall be deemed to have surrendered his security unless the court on application is satisfied that the omission to value the security has arisen from inadvertence.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 99J. Debt secured by bill of exchange or promissory note A creditor shall not vote in respect of any debt on or secured by a current bill of exchange or promissory note held by him unless he is willing to—(a) treat the liability to him thereon of every person who is liable thereon antecedently to the bankrupt, and against whom a bankruptcy order has not been made, as a security in his hands; and(b) estimate the value thereof and for the purposes of voting, but not for the purposes of dividend, to deduct it from his proof.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 99K. Creditor of firm may prove against partner If a bankruptcy order is made against one partner of a firm, any creditor to whom that partner is indebted jointly with the other partners of the firm, or any of them, may prove his debt for the purpose of voting at any meeting of creditors and shall be entitled to vote thereat.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 99L. Admission of proofs (1) The chairman of a meeting shall have power to admit or reject a proof for the purpose of voting but his decision shall be subject to appeal to the court.(2) If the chairman is in doubt whether the proof of a creditor should be admitted or rejected he shall make a note of it and shall allow the creditor to vote, subject to the vote being subsequently declared invalid in the event of the objection being sustained.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 99M. Voting A creditor may vote either in person or by proxy.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 99N. Form of proxy Every instrument of proxy shall be in the prescribed form and shall be issued by the trustee, and shall be signed by the person giving the proxy, or by any manager or clerk or other person in his regular employment, or by his solicitor or solicitors.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 99O. Proxy forms to be sent to creditors General and special forms of proxy shall be sent to the creditors together with a notice summoning a meeting of creditors, and neither the name nor the description of the Official Receiver, of the trustee or of any other person shall be printed or inserted in the body of any instrument of proxy before it is so sent.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 99P. General proxy A creditor may give a general proxy to his manager or clerk or any other person in his regular employment or to his solicitor and, in such case, the instrument of proxy shall state the relation in which the person to act thereunder stands to the creditor.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 99Q. Special proxy A creditor may give a special proxy to any person to vote at any specified meeting or adjournment thereof on all or any of the following matters—(a) for or against the appointment of any specified person as trustee or as member of the creditors’ committee, or for or against the continuance in office of any specified person as trustee or member of a creditors’ committee;(b) on all questions relating to any matter, other than those referred to in paragraph (a), arising at any specified meeting or adjournment thereof.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 99R. Time for lodging proxy (1) A proxy may not be used unless it is deposited with the trustee 24 hours before the meeting at which it is to be used.(2) A proxy required to be deposited in accordance with these rules shall be deemed to have been so deposited if such proxy is sent by facsimile transmission or electronic means to, and received by, the trustee within the time provided in subrule (1). (L.N. 150 of 2014; 22 of 2023 s. 83)(3) For the purposes of subrule (2), a proxy is sent by electronic means if it is sent in the form of an electronic record to an information system. (22 of 2023 s. 83)(4) In this rule— electronic record (電子紀錄) means a record generated in digital form by an information system, which can be— (a) transmitted within an information system or from one information system to another; and (b) stored in an information system or other medium; information (資訊、資料) includes data, text, images, sound codes, computer programmes, software and databases, and any combination of them; information system (資訊系統) means a system that— (a) processes information; (b) records information; (c) can be used to cause information to be recorded, stored or otherwise processed in other information systems (wherever situated); and (d) can be used to retrieve information, whether the information is recorded or stored in the system itself or in other information systems (wherever situated). (22 of 2023 s. 83) (L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 99S. Solicitation by trustee Where it appears to the satisfaction of the court that any solicitation has been used by or on behalf of a trustee in obtaining proxies, or in procuring the trusteeship, except by the direction of a meeting of creditors, the court shall have power, if it thinks fit, to order that no remuneration shall be allowed to the person by whom or on whose behalf such solicitation may have been exercised, notwithstanding any resolution of the creditors’ committee or of the creditors to the contrary.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 99T. Proxy to trustee (L.N. 123 of 2007)A creditor may appoint the trustee to act in the manner prescribed as his general or special proxy.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 99U. Adjournments The chairman of a meeting may, with the consent of the meeting, adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 99V. Quorum (1) A meeting shall not be competent to act for any purpose, except the election of a chairman, the proving of debts and the adjournment of the meeting, unless there is present thereat at least one creditor entitled to vote.(2) For the purposes of this rule, the reference to one creditor present includes a creditor represented by proxy by any person, including the chairman of the meeting.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 99W. No quorum present If within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum of creditors is not present or represented, the meeting shall be adjourned to the same day in the following week at the same time and place or to such other day as the chairman may appoint, being not fewer than 7 nor more than 21 days after the day first appointed.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 99X. Minutes The chairman of every meeting shall cause minutes of the proceedings at the meeting to be drawn up and fairly entered in a record kept for that purpose and the minutes shall be signed by him or by the chairman of the next ensuing meeting.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 99Y. Conflict of interest (1) No person acting under either a general or a special proxy shall vote in favour of any resolution which would directly or indirectly place him or his partner or employer in a position to receive any remuneration out of the estate of the bankrupt otherwise than as a creditor ratably with the other creditors of the bankrupt.(2) Where any person holds special proxies to vote for the appointment of himself as trustee he may use the said proxies and vote accordingly.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 99Z. Excluded votes The vote of the trustee or of his partner, clerk, solicitor or solicitor’s clerk, either as creditor or as proxy for a creditor, shall not be reckoned in the majority required for passing any resolution affecting the conduct of the trustee.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 100. Notice to bankrupt of meeting to appoint trustee The trustee shall give 3 days’ notice to the bankrupt of the time and place appointed for the meeting mentioned in rules 99A and 101, when one is to be held. The notice may be either delivered to him personally or sent to him by prepaid letter post, as may be convenient. It shall be the duty of the bankrupt to attend such meeting.(G.N.A. 124 of 1955; L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 101. Notice of meeting to appoint successive trustee (L.N. 123 of 2007)The trustee shall fix the day for the meeting for the purpose of appointing a successive trustee, when one is to be held, and shall forthwith publish a notice of the meeting by the specified means. The trustee shall also give notice to the creditors.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007; 22 of 2023 s. 41) 102. (Repealed L.N. 123 of 2007) 103. Non-reception of notice by creditor Where a meeting of creditors is called by notice, the proceedings had and resolutions passed at such meeting shall, unless the court otherwise orders, be valid notwithstanding that some creditors have not received the notice summoning the meeting.(G.N.A. 124 of 1955) 104. (Repealed L.N. 123 of 2007) 105. Proof of notice A certificate by the Official Receiver or other officer of the court or by the clerk of any such person, or an affidavit by the trustee or his solicitor or the clerk of either of such persons, that the notice of any meeting of creditors or sitting of the court has been duly posted shall be sufficient evidence of such notice having been duly sent to the person to whom the same was addressed.(G.N.A. 124 of 1955) 106. (Repealed L.N. 7 of 1976) 107. Adjournment Where a meeting of creditors is adjourned, the adjourned meeting shall be held at the same place as the original place of meeting unless in the resolution for adjournment another place is specified. 107A. Resolution passed at adjourned meeting of creditors Where a resolution is passed at an adjourned meeting of any creditors, the resolution shall, for all purposes, be treated as having been passed on the date on which it was in fact passed, and shall not be deemed to have been passed on any earlier date.(L.N. 231 of 1984) 108. Quorum In calculating a quorum of creditors present at a meeting, those persons only who are entitled to vote at the meeting shall be reckoned. Division 13 Proof of Debts (L.N. 150 of 2014) 109. Proving debts (1) A creditor shall prove his debt in the prescribed form which shall be delivered or sent to the trustee and accompanied by the prescribed fee as the case may require. (22 of 2023 s. 9)(2) The trustee may, if he thinks it necessary, require a claim of debt to be verified by affidavit in the prescribed form notwithstanding that a proof of debt has already been lodged.(3) The affidavit may be sworn before any person authorized to administer oaths or take statutory declarations.(L.N. 222 of 1992; L.N. 123 of 2007) 110. Employees’ wages In any case in which it appears from the bankrupt’s statement of affairs that there are numerous claims for wages by employees or others employed by the bankrupt, it shall be sufficient if one proof for all such claims is made either by the bankrupt or by his supervisor or some other person on behalf of all such creditors. Such proof shall have annexed thereto, as forming part thereof, a schedule setting forth the names of the employees or others and the amounts severally due to them. Any proof made in compliance with this rule shall have the same effect as if separate proofs had been made by each of the said employees or others.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 111. Production of bills of exchange and promissory notes Where a creditor seeks to prove in respect of a bill of exchange, promissory note, or other negotiable instrument or security on which the bankrupt is liable, such bill of exchange, note, instrument or security must, subject to any special order of the court made to the contrary, be produced to the chairman of a meeting or trustee, as the case may be, before the proof can be admitted either for voting or for dividend.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 112. Time for lodging proofs A proof intended to be used at the first meeting of creditors shall be lodged with the trustee not later than 24 hours before the time appointed for the meeting. A proof intended to be used at an adjournment of the first meeting (if not lodged in time for the first meeting) must be lodged not less than 24 hours before the time appointed for the adjourned meeting.(L.N. 123 of 2007) 113. Transmission of proofs to trustee Where a trustee is appointed in any matter, all proofs of debts that have been received by the provisional trustee shall be handed over to the trustee, but the provisional trustee shall first make a list of such proofs and take a receipt thereon from the trustee for such proofs.(L.N. 123 of 2007) 114. Time for admission or rejection of proofs by trustee The trustee, not later than 21 days from the latest date specified in the notice of his intention to declare a dividend as the time within which such proofs must be lodged, shall either admit or reject wholly or in part every proof lodged with him or require further evidence in support thereof.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 115. Time for admission or rejection of proof by trustee Where the trustee has given notice of his intention to declare a dividend he shall, within 21 days after the date mentioned in such notice as the latest date up to which proofs must be lodged, examine and in writing admit or reject every proof which has not been already admitted or rejected and give notice of his decision rejecting a proof wholly or in part to the creditor affected thereby.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 115A. Time prescribed under section 34(7A) The time prescribed under section 34(7A)(i) of the Ordinance is 4 years.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 116. Notice of admission of proof Where a creditor’s proof has been admitted, the notice of dividend shall be sufficient notification to such creditor of such admission. 117. Appeal from rejection of proof No application to reverse or vary the decision of the trustee in rejecting a proof shall be entertained after the expiration of 21 days from the date of the decision complained of. Notice of appeal shall be given to the trustee upon such application.(L.N. 123 of 2007) 118. Costs of appeals from decisions as to proofs The trustee shall in no case be personally liable for costs in relation to an appeal from his decision rejecting any proof wholly or in part.(L.N. 123 of 2007) Division 14 Proxies and Voting Letters (L.N. 150 of 2014) 119. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 120. Signature of proxy A proxy given by a creditor shall be deemed to be sufficiently executed if it is signed by any person in the employ of the creditor having a general authority to sign for such creditor, or by the authorized agent of such creditor if resident outside Hong Kong. Such authority shall be in writing and shall be produced to the trustee if required.(23 of 1998 s. 2; L.N. 123 of 2007) 121. Filling in when creditor blind, etc. The proxy of a creditor blind or incapable of writing may be accepted if such creditor has attached his signature or mark thereto in the presence of a witness, who shall add to his signature his description and residence, and provided that all insertions in the proxy are in the handwriting of the witness and such witness has certified at the foot of the proxy that all such insertions have been made by him at the request of the creditor and in his presence before he attached his signature or mark. 122. Minors not to be proxies No person shall be appointed a general or special proxy who is a minor. Division 15 Voluntary Arrangements (L.N. 150 of 2014) 122A. Introductory (1) In this rule and rules 122B to 122ZP—(a) Case 1 (個案1) refers to a case where the debtor is an undischarged bankrupt;(b) Case 2 (個案2) refers to a case where the debtor is not an undischarged bankrupt. (E.R. 4 of 2020)(2) Rules 122A to 122ZP apply where a debtor, with a view to an application for an interim order, makes a proposal to his creditors for a voluntary arrangement, and these rules apply whether or not the debtor is an undischarged bankrupt.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122B. Preparation of proposal The debtor shall prepare for the intended nominee a proposal on which (with or without amendments to be made under rule 122C(3)) to make his report to the court under section 20D of the Ordinance.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122C. Contents of proposal (1) The debtor’s proposal shall provide a short explanation why, in his opinion, a voluntary arrangement is desirable, and give reasons why his creditors may be expected to concur with such an arrangement.(2) The following matters shall be stated, or otherwise dealt with, in the proposal—(a) the following matters, so far as within the debtor’s immediate knowledge—(i) his assets, with an estimate of their respective values and the basis of that estimate;(ii) the extent (if any) to which the assets are charged in favour of creditors;(iii) the extent (if any) to which particular assets are to be excluded from the voluntary arrangement;(b) particulars of any property, other than assets of the debtor himself, which is proposed to be included in the arrangement, the source of such property and the terms on which it is to be made available for inclusion;(c) the nature and amount of the debtor’s liabilities (so far as within his immediate knowledge), the manner in which they are proposed to be met, modified, postponed or otherwise dealt with by means of the arrangement and (in particular)—(i) how it is proposed to deal with creditors of the debtor in respect of debts that are given priority under section 38 of the Ordinance and creditors who are, or claim to be, secured;(ii) how associates of the debtor (being creditors of his) are proposed to be treated under the arrangement; and(iii) in Case 1 whether, to the debtor’s knowledge, claims have been made under section 49, 50 or 71A of the Ordinance, or there are circumstances giving rise to the possibility of such claims, and in Case 2 whether there are circumstances which would give rise to the possibility of such claims in the event that he should be adjudged bankrupt,and, where any such circumstances are present, whether, and if so how, it is proposed under the voluntary arrangement to make provision for wholly or partly indemnifying the insolvent estate in respect of such claims;(d) whether any, and if so what, guarantees have been given of the debtor’s debts by other persons, specifying which (if any) of the guarantors are associates of his;(e) the proposed duration of the voluntary arrangement;(f) the proposed dates of distributions to creditors, with estimates of their amounts;(g) the amount proposed to be paid to the nominee (as such) by way of remuneration and expenses;(h) whether, for the purposes of the arrangement, any guarantees are to be offered by any persons other than the debtor, and whether (if so) any security is to be given or sought;(i) the manner in which funds held for the purposes of the arrangement are to be banked, invested or otherwise dealt with pending distribution to creditors;(j) the manner in which funds held for the purpose of payment to creditors, and not so paid on the termination of the arrangement, are to be dealt with;(k) if the debtor has any business, the manner in which it is proposed to be conducted during the course of the arrangement;(l) details of any further credit facilities which it is intended to arrange for the debtor, and how the debts so arising are to be paid;(m) the manner in which it is proposed that the nominee of the arrangement should be remunerated, and his expenses defrayed;(n) the functions which are to be undertaken by the nominee of the arrangement;(o) the name, address and qualification of the person proposed as the nominee of the voluntary arrangement, and confirmation that he is (so far as the debtor is aware) experienced and qualified to act as a nominee in relation to the voluntary arrangement either as trustee or otherwise for the purpose of supervising its implementation.(3) With the agreement in writing of the nominee, the debtor’s proposal may be amended at any time up to the delivery of the former’s report to the court under section 20D of the Ordinance.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122D. Notice to intended nominee (1) The debtor shall give to the intended nominee written notice of his proposal.(2) The notice, accompanied by a copy of the proposal, shall be delivered either to the intended nominee himself, or to a person authorized to take delivery of documents on his behalf.(3) If the intended nominee agrees to act, he shall cause a copy of the notice to be endorsed to the effect that it has been received by him on a specified date.(4) The copy of the notice so endorsed shall be returned by the intended nominee forthwith to the debtor at an address specified by him in the notice for that purpose.(5) Where (in Case 1) the debtor gives notice of his proposal to the Official Receiver and the trustee (if any), the notice must contain the name and address of the person, other than the Official Receiver, who has agreed to act as nominee.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122E. Application for interim order (1) An application to the court for an interim order shall be accompanied by an affidavit of the following matters—(a) the reasons for making the application;(b) particulars of any execution or other legal process which, to the debtor’s knowledge, has been commenced against him;(c) that he is an undischarged bankrupt or (as the case may be) that he is able to petition for his own bankruptcy;(d) that no previous application for an interim order has been made by or in respect of the debtor in the period of 12 months ending with the date of the affidavit;

and(e) that the nominee under the proposal (naming him), other than the Official Receiver, is a person who is experienced in insolvency matters, and is willing to act in relation to the proposal.(2) A copy of the notice to the intended nominee under rule 122D, endorsed to the effect that he agrees so to act, and a copy of the debtor’s proposal given to the nominee under that rule shall be exhibited to the affidavit.(3) On receiving the application and affidavit, the court shall fix the date, time and place for the hearing of the application.(4) The applicant shall give at least 3 days’ notice of the hearing—(a) in Case 1, to the bankrupt, the Official Receiver and the trustee (whichever of those 3 is not himself the applicant);(b) in Case 2, to any creditor who (to the debtor’s knowledge) has presented a bankruptcy petition against him; and(c) in either case, to the nominee who has agreed to act in relation to the debtor’s proposal.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122F. Hearing of application (1) Any of the persons who have been given notice under rule 122E(4) may appear or be represented at the hearing of the application.(2) The court, in deciding whether to make an interim order on the application, shall take into account any representations made by or on behalf of any of those persons (in particular, whether an order should be made containing such provision as is referred to in section 20C(3) and (4) of the Ordinance).(3) If the court makes an interim order, it shall fix the date, time and place for consideration of the nominee’s report, but, subject to subrule (4), the date for that consideration shall be not later than that on which the interim order ceases to have effect under section 20C(6) of the Ordinance. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(4) If under section 20D(4) of the Ordinance an extension of time is granted for filing the nominee’s report, the court shall, unless there appear to be good reasons against it, correspondingly extend the period for which the interim order has effect.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122G. Action to follow making of order (1) Where an interim order is made, the applicant shall serve one of the copies on the nominee under the debtor’s proposal and one on the Official Receiver if he is not the nominee.(2) The applicant shall also forthwith give notice of the making of the order to any person who was given notice of the hearing pursuant to rule 122E(4) and was not present or represented at it.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122H. Statement of affairs (1) In Case 1, if the debtor has already delivered a statement of affairs under section 10 or 18 of the Ordinance, he need not deliver a further statement unless so required by the nominee, with a view to supplementing or amplifying the former one.(2) In Case 2, the debtor shall, within 7 days after his proposal is delivered to the nominee, or within such longer time as the latter may allow, deliver to the nominee a statement of his (the debtor’s) affairs.(3) The statement of affairs shall comprise the following particulars (supplementing or amplifying, so far as is necessary for clarifying the state of the debtor’s affairs, those already given in his proposal)—(a) a list of his assets, divided into such categories as are appropriate for easy identification, with estimated values assigned to each category and the basis of the estimates;(b) in the case of any property on which a claim against the debtor is wholly or partly secured, particulars of the claim and its amount, and of how and when the security was created;(c) the names and addresses of the creditors of the debtor in respect of debts that are given priority under section 38 of the Ordinance, with the amounts of their respective claims;(d) the names and addresses of the debtor’s unsecured creditors, with the amounts of their respective claims;(e) particulars of any debts owed by or to the debtor to or by persons who are associates of his;(f) such other particulars (if any) as the nominee may in writing require to be furnished for the purpose of making his report to the court on the debtor’s proposal.(4) The statement of affairs shall be made up to a date not earlier than 2 weeks before the date of the notice to the nominee under rule 122D, but the nominee may allow an extension of that period to the nearest practicable date (not earlier than 2 months before the date of the notice under rule 122D) and, if he does so, he shall give his reasons in his report to the court on the debtor’s proposal.(5) The statement of affairs shall be certified by the debtor as correct, to the best of his knowledge and belief.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122I. Additional disclosure for assistance of nominee (1) If it appears to the nominee that he cannot properly prepare his report on the basis of information in the debtor’s proposal and statement of affairs, he may call on the debtor to provide him with—(a) further and better particulars as to the circumstances in which, and the reasons why, he is insolvent or (as the case may be) threatened with insolvency;(b) particulars of any previous proposals which have been made by him;(c) any further information with respect to his affairs which the nominee thinks necessary for the purposes of his report.(2) The nominee may call on the debtor to inform him whether and in what circumstances he has at any time—(a) been concerned in the affairs of any company (whether or not incorporated in Hong Kong) which has become insolvent;(b) been adjudged bankrupt or entered into an arrangement with his creditors, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere; or(c) been prohibited by operation of law or otherwise disqualified from taking part in the management of a company.(3) For the purpose of enabling the nominee to consider the debtor’s proposal and prepare his report on it, the latter must give him access to his accounts and records.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122J. Nominee’s report on proposal (1) The nominee’s report shall be delivered by him to the court not less than 3 days before the interim order ceases to have effect.(2) With his report the nominee shall deliver—(a) a copy of the debtor’s proposal (with amendments, if any, authorized under rule 122C(3)); and(b) a copy or summary of any statement of affairs provided by the debtor.(3) If the nominee makes known his opinion that a meeting of the debtor’s creditors should be summoned under section 20E of the Ordinance, his report shall have annexed to it his comments on the debtor’s proposal but, if his opinion is otherwise, he shall give his reasons for that opinion.(4) The court shall cause the nominee’s report to be endorsed with the date on which it is filed in court, and any creditor of the debtor is entitled, at all reasonable times on any business day, to inspect the file.(5) In Case 1, the nominee shall send to the trustee (if any)— (L.N. 123 of 2007)(a) a copy of the debtor’s proposal;(b) a copy of his (the nominee’s) report and his comments accompanying it (if any); and(c) a copy or summary of the debtor’s statement of affairs,and, in Case 2, the nominee shall send a copy of each of those documents to any person who has presented a bankruptcy petition against the debtor.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122K. Replacement of nominee Where the debtor intends to apply to the court under section 20K(3) of the Ordinance for the nominee to be replaced, he shall give to the nominee at least 7 days’ notice of his application.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122L. Consideration of nominee’s report (1) At the hearing by the court to consider the nominee’s report, any of the persons who have been given notice under rule 122E(4) may appear or be represented.(2) Rule 122G applies to any order made by the court at the hearing.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122M. Summoning of creditors’ meeting (1) If in his report the nominee states that in his opinion a meeting of creditors should be summoned to consider the debtor’s proposal, the date on which the meeting is to be held shall be not less than 14 days from that on which the nominee’s report is filed in court under rule 122J, nor more than 28 days from that on which that report is considered by the court under rule 122L.(2) Notices calling the meeting shall be sent by the nominee, at least 14 days before the day fixed for it to be held, to all the creditors specified in the debtor’s statement of affairs, and any other creditors of whom the nominee is otherwise aware.(3) Each notice sent under this rule shall state the effect of rule 122R(1), (3) and (4); and with it there shall be sent—(a) a copy of the proposal;(b) a copy of the statement of affairs or, if the nominee thinks fit, a summary of it (the summary to include a list of the creditors and the amounts of their debts); and(c) the nominee’s comments on the proposal.(4) In addition to sending notices under subrule (2), the nominee shall have the notice published in Chinese and English by the specified means. (L.N. 150 of 2014; 22 of 2023 s. 42)(5) A notice published under subrule (4) constitutes constructive notice to all creditors of the debtor. (22 of 2023 s. 42)(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122N. Creditors’ meeting: supplementary (1) Subject as follows, in fixing the date, time and place for the creditors’ meeting, the nominee shall have regard to the convenience of creditors.(2) The meeting shall be summoned for commencement between 0930 and 1600 hours on a business day.(3) With every notice summoning the meeting there shall be sent out forms of proxy.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122O. Chairman at creditors’ meeting (1) Subject as follows, the nominee shall be chairman of the creditors’ meeting.(2) If for any reason the nominee is unable to attend, he may nominate another person to act as chairman in his place; but a person so nominated must be either—(a) a person who is experienced in insolvency matters; or(b) an employee of the nominee or his firm who is experienced in insolvency matters.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122P. Chairman as proxy-holder The chairman shall not by virtue of any proxy held by him vote to increase or reduce the amount of the remuneration or expenses of the nominee of the proposed arrangement, unless the proxy specifically directs him to vote in that way.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122Q. Voting rights (1) Subject as follows, every creditor who was given notice of the creditors’ meeting is entitled to vote at the meeting or any adjournment of it.(2) In Case 1, votes are calculated according to the amount of the creditor’s debt as at the date of the bankruptcy order unless the debts are incurred after the making of the bankruptcy order, in which case, the votes of those creditors will be calculated according to the amount of the debt as at the date of the meeting and in Case 2, votes are calculated according to the amount of the debt as at the date of the meeting.(3) A creditor shall not vote in respect of a debt for an unliquidated amount, or any debt whose value is not ascertained, except where the chairman agrees to put upon the debt an estimated minimum value for the purpose of entitlement to vote.(4) The chairman has power to admit or reject a creditor’s claim for the purpose of his entitlement to vote, and the power is exercisable with respect to the whole or any part of the claim.(5) The chairman’s decision on entitlement to vote is subject to appeal to the court by any creditor, or by the debtor.(6) If the chairman is in doubt whether a creditor’s claim should be admitted or rejected for the purpose of his entitlement to vote, he shall make a note of it and allow the creditor to vote, subject to his vote being subsequently declared invalid if the objection to the claim is sustained.(7) If on an appeal the chairman’s decision is reversed or varied, or a creditor’s vote is declared invalid, the court may order another meeting to be summoned, or make such other order as it thinks just, but the court’s power to make an order under this subrule is exercisable only if it considers that the matter is such as to give rise to unfair prejudice or a material irregularity. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(8) An application to the court by way of appeal under this rule against the chairman’s decision shall not be made after the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the nominee’s report to the court is made under section 20G of the Ordinance.(9) The chairman is not personally liable for any costs incurred by any person in respect of an appeal under this rule.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122R. Requisite majorities (1) Subject as follows, at the creditors’ meeting for any resolution to pass approving any proposal or modification there must be a majority in excess of three-quarters in value of the creditors present in person or by proxy and voting on the resolution.(2) The same applies in respect of any other resolution proposed at the meeting, but substituting one-half for three-quarters.(3) In the following cases there is to be left out of account a creditor’s vote in respect of any claim or part of a claim—(a) where written notice of the claim was not given, either at the meeting or before it, to the chairman or the nominee;(b) where the claim or part thereof is secured;(c) where the claim is in respect of a debt wholly or partly on, or secured by, a current bill of exchange or promissory note, unless the creditor is willing—(i) to treat the liability to him on the bill or note of every person who is liable on it antecentently to the debtor, and against whom a bankruptcy order has not been made (or, in the case of a company, which has not gone into liquidation), as a security in his hands; and(ii) to estimate the value of the security and (for the purpose of entitlement to vote, but not of any distribution under the arrangement) to deduct it from his claim.(4) Any resolution is invalid if those voting against it include more than half in value of the creditors, counting in these latter only those—(a) to whom notice of the meeting was sent;(b) whose votes are not to be left out of account under subrule (3); and (L.N. 150 of 2014)(c) who are not, to the best of the chairman’s belief, associates of the debtor.(5) It is for the chairman of the meeting to decide whether under this rule—(a) a vote is to be left out of account in accordance with subrule (3); or(b) a person is an associate of the debtor for the purposes of subrule (4)(c),and in relation to the second of these 2 cases the chairman is entitled to rely on the information provided by the debtor’s statement of affairs or otherwise in accordance with this rule and rules 122A to 122Q and 122S to 122ZP. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(6) If the chairman uses a proxy contrary to rule 122P, his vote with that proxy does not count towards any majority under this rule.(7) Rule 122Q(5) to (9) applies as regards an appeal against the decision of the chairman under this rule.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122S. Proceedings to obtain agreement on proposal (1) On the day on which the creditors’ meeting is held, it may from time to time be adjourned.(2) If on that day the requisite majority for the approval of the voluntary arrangement (with or without modifications) has not been obtained, the chairman may, and shall if it is so resolved, adjourn the meeting for not more than 14 days.(3) If there are subsequently further adjournments, the final adjournment shall not be to a day later than 14 days after that on which the meeting was originally held.(4) If the meeting is adjourned under subrule (2), notice of the fact shall be given by the nominee forthwith to the court. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(5) If, following any final adjournment of the meeting the proposal (with or without modifications) is not agreed to, it is deemed rejected.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122T. Resolutions after voluntary arrangement approved (1) If the voluntary arrangement is approved (with or without modifications), a resolution may be taken by the creditors, where 2 or more persons are appointed to act as nominee, on the question whether acts to be done in connection with the arrangement may be done by any one of them, or must be done by both or all of them.(2) If at the creditors’ meeting a voluntary arrangement is approved and a creditor wishes to move a resolution to replace the nominee with another person he must, at or before the meeting, produce to the chairman that person’s—(a) written consent to act (unless he is present and then and there signifies his consent); and(b) written confirmation that he is experienced in insolvency matters.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122U. Hand-over of property, etc. to nominee (1) Forthwith after the approval of the voluntary arrangement, the debtor in Case 2, and the trustee in Case 1, shall do all that is required for putting the nominee into possession of the assets included in the arrangement. (L.N. 123 of 2007)(2) On taking possession of the assets in Case 1, the nominee shall discharge any balance due to the Official Receiver and (if other) the trustee by way of remuneration or on account of—(a) fees, costs, charges and expenses properly incurred and payable under the Ordinance or these rules; and(b) any advances made in respect of the insolvent estate, together with interest on such advances at the rate specified under section 49 of the High Court Ordinance (Cap. 4) at the date of the bankruptcy order. (L.N. 123 of 2007)(3) Alternatively in Case 1, the nominee must, before taking possession, give the Official Receiver or the trustee a written undertaking to discharge any such balance out of the first realization of assets.(4) The Official Receiver and (if other) the trustee has in Case 1 a charge on the assets included in the voluntary arrangement in respect of any sums due as above until they have been discharged, subject only to the deduction from realizations by the nominee of the proper costs and expenses of realization.(5) Any sums due to the Official Receiver take priority over those due to a trustee.(6) The nominee shall from time to time out of the realization of assets discharge all guarantees properly given by the Official Receiver or the trustee for the benefit of the estate, and shall pay all their expenses.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122V. Report of creditors’ meeting (1) A report of the creditors’ meeting shall be prepared by the chairman of the meeting.(2) The report shall—(a) state whether the proposal for a voluntary arrangement was approved or rejected and, if approved, with what (if any) modifications;(b) set out the resolutions which were taken at the meeting, and the decision on each one;(c) list the creditors (with their respective values) who were present or represented at the meeting, and how they voted on each resolution; and(d) include such further information (if any) as the chairman thinks it appropriate to make known to the court.(3) A copy of the chairman’s report shall, within 7 days of the meeting being held, be filed in court; and the court shall cause that copy to be endorsed with the date of filing.(4) The persons to whom notice of the result is to be given, under section 20G(1) of the Ordinance, are all those who were sent notice of the meeting under these rules and, in Case 1, the trustee. (L.N. 123 of 2007)(5) The notice shall be sent immediately after a copy of the chairman’s report is filed in court under subrule (3). (L.N. 150 of 2014)(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122W. Register of voluntary arrangements (1) The Official Receiver shall maintain a register of individual voluntary arrangements, and shall enter in it all such matters as are reported to him in pursuance of rules 122X, 122Y and 122ZC.(2) The register shall be open to public inspection.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122X. Reports to Official Receiver (1) Immediately after the chairman of the creditors’ meeting has filed in court a report that the meeting has approved the voluntary arrangement, he shall report to the Official Receiver the following details of the arrangement—(a) the name, Hong Kong Identity Card number (if any) and address of the debtor;(b) the date on which the arrangement was approved by the creditors;(c) the name and address of the nominee.(2) A person who is appointed to act as nominee of an individual voluntary arrangement (whether in the first instance or by way of replacement of another person previously appointed) shall forthwith give written notice to the Official Receiver of his appointment, and if he vacates office as nominee, he shall forthwith give written notice of that fact also to the Official Receiver.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122Y. Revocation or suspension of arrangement (1) This rule applies where the court makes an order of revocation or suspension under section 20J of the Ordinance.(2) The person who applied for the order shall serve sealed copies of it—(a) in Case 1, on the debtor, the Official Receiver and the trustee;(b) in Case 2, on the debtor; and(c) in either case on the nominee of the voluntary arrangement.(3) If the order includes a direction by the court under section 20J(4)(b) of the Ordinance for any further creditors’ meeting to be summoned, notice shall also be given (by the person who applied for the order) to whoever is, in accordance with the direction, required to summon the meeting.(4) The debtor (in Case 2) and the trustee (in Case 1) shall— (L.N. 123 of 2007)(a) forthwith after receiving a copy of the court’s order, give notice of it to all persons who were sent notice of the creditors’ meeting which approved the voluntary arrangement or who, not having been sent that notice, appear to be affected by the order;(b) within 7 days of their receiving a copy of the order (or within such longer period as the court may allow), give notice to the court whether it is intended to make a revised proposal to creditors, or to invite re-consideration of the original proposal.(5) The person on whose application the order of revocation or suspension was made shall, within 7 days after the making of the order, give written notice of it to the Official Receiver.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122Z. Nominee’s accounts and reports (1) Where the voluntary arrangement authorizes or requires the nominee—(a) to carry on the debtor’s business or to trade on his behalf or in his name;(b) to realize assets of the debtor or (in Case 1) belonging to the estate; or(c) otherwise to administer or dispose of any funds of the debtor or the estate,he shall keep accounts and records of his acts and dealings in and in connection with the arrangement, including in particular records of all receipts and payments of money.(2) The nominee shall, not less often than once in every 12 months beginning with the date of his appointment, prepare an abstract of such receipts and payments, and send copies of it, accompanied by his comments on the progress and efficacy of the arrangement, to— (E.R. 4 of 2020)(a) the court;(b) the debtor; and(c) all those of the debtor’s creditors who are bound by the arrangement and whose names and addresses the nominee is aware of.(3) If in any period of 12 months he has made no payments and had no receipts, he shall at the end of that period send a statement to that effect to all those who are specified in subrule (2)(a) to (c). (L.N. 150 of 2014)(4) An abstract prepared under subrule (2) shall relate to a period beginning with the date of the nominee’s appointment or (as the case may be) the day following the end of the last period for which an abstract was prepared under this rule; and copies of the abstract shall be sent out, as required by subrule (2), within the 2 months following the end of the period to which the abstract relates. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(5) If the nominee is not authorized as mentioned in subrule (1), he shall, not less often than once in every 12 months beginning with the date of his appointment, send to all those specified in subrule (2)(a) to (c) a report on the progress and efficacy of the voluntary arrangement. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(6) The court may, on application by the nominee, vary the dates on which the obligation to send abstracts or reports arises.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122ZA. Production of accounts and records to Official Receiver (1) The Official Receiver may at any time during the course of the voluntary arrangement or after its completion require the nominee to produce for inspection—(a) his accounts and records in respect of the arrangement; and(b) copies of abstracts and reports prepared in compliance with rule 122Z.(2) The Official Receiver may require production either at the premises of the nominee or elsewhere; and it is the duty of the nominee to comply with any requirement imposed on him under this rule.(3) The Official Receiver may cause any accounts and records produced to him under this rule to be audited; and the nominee shall give to the Official Receiver such further information and assistance as he needs for the purposes of his audit.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122ZB. Fees, costs, charges and expenses The fees, costs, charges and expenses that may be incurred for any purposes of the voluntary arrangement are—(a) any disbursements made by the nominee prior to the approval of the arrangement, and any remuneration for his services as such agreed between himself and the debtor or the trustee; (L.N. 123 of 2007)(b) any fees, costs, charges or expenses which—(i) are sanctioned by the terms of the arrangement; or(ii) would be payable, or correspond to those which would be payable, in the debtor’s bankruptcy.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122ZC. Completion of the arrangement (1) Not more than 28 days after the final completion of the voluntary arrangement, the nominee shall send to all creditors of the debtor who are bound by the arrangement and whose names and addresses the nominee is aware of, and to the debtor, a notice that the arrangement has been fully implemented.(2) With the notice there shall be sent to each of those persons a copy of a report by the nominee summarizing all receipts and payments made by him in pursuance of the arrangement, and explaining any difference in the actual implementation of it as compared with the proposal as approved by the creditors’ meeting.(3) The nominee shall, within the 28 days, send to the Official Receiver and to the court a copy of the notice under subrule (1), together with a copy of the report under subrule (2). (L.N. 150 of 2014)(4) The court may, on application by the nominee, extend the period of 28 days under subrules (1) and (3). (L.N. 150 of 2014)(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122ZD. False representations, etc. (1) The debtor commits an offence if he makes any false representation or commits any other fraud for the purpose of obtaining the approval of his creditors to a proposal for a voluntary arrangement.(2) A person guilty of an offence under this rule is liable to a fine at level 2 and to imprisonment for 6 months.(L.N. 77 of 1998) Division 16 Creditors’ Committee (L.N. 150 of 2014) 122ZE. Membership of creditors’ committee (1) The creditors’ committee shall consist of at least 2, and not more than 5, members.(2) All the members of the committee must be creditors of the bankrupt; and any creditor (other than one who is fully secured) may be a member, so long as—(a) he has lodged a proof of his debt; and(b) his proof has neither been wholly disallowed for voting purposes, nor wholly rejected for the purposes of distribution or dividend.(3) A body corporate may be a member of the committee, but it cannot act as such otherwise than by a representative appointed under rule 122ZJ.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122ZF. Obligations of trustee to creditors’ committee (1) Subject as follows, it is the duty of the trustee to report to the members of the creditors’ committee all such matters as appear to him to be, or as they have indicated to him as being, of concern to them with respect to the bankruptcy.(2) In the case of matters so indicated to him by the committee, the trustee need not comply with any request for information where it appears to him that—(a) the request is frivolous or unreasonable;(b) the cost of complying would be excessive, having regard to the relative importance of the information; or(c) the estate is without funds sufficient for enabling him to comply.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122ZG. Meetings of creditors’ committee (1) Subject as follows, meetings of the creditors’ committee shall be held when and where determined by the trustee.(2) The trustee shall call a first meeting of the committee to take place within 3 months of his appointment or of the committee’s establishment (whichever is the later); and thereafter he shall call a meeting—(a) if so requested by a member of the committee or his representative (the meeting then to be held within 28 days of the request being received by the trustee); and(b) for a specified date, if the committee has previously resolved that a meeting be held on that date.(3) The trustee shall give 7 days’ notice in writing of the date, time and place of any meeting to every member of the committee (or his representative, if designated for that purpose), unless in any case the requirement of the notice has been waived by or on behalf of any member, and such waiver may be signified either at or before the meeting.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122ZH. Chairman at meetings (1) The chairman at any meeting of the creditors’ committee shall be the trustee, or a person appointed by him in writing to act.(2) A person so appointed must be a person who is experienced in insolvency matters.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122ZI. Quorum A meeting of the creditors’ committee is duly constituted if due notice of it has been given to all the members and at least 2 of the members are present or represented.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122ZJ. Committee-members’ representatives (1) A member of the creditors’ committee may, in relation to the business of the committee, be represented by another person duly authorized by him for that purpose.(2) A person acting as a committee-member’s representative must hold a letter of authority entitling him so to act (either generally or specially) and signed by or on behalf of the committee-member, and for this purpose any proxy in relation to any meeting of creditors of the bankrupt shall, unless it contains a statement to the contrary, be treated as such a letter of authority to act generally signed by or on behalf of the committee-member.(3) The chairman at any meeting of the committee may call on a person claiming to act as a committee-member’s representative to produce his letter of authority, and may exclude him if it appears that his authority is deficient.(4) No member may be represented by a body corporate or by a person who is an undischarged bankrupt or is subject to a voluntary arrangement with his creditors.(5) No person shall—(a) on the same committee, act at one and the same time as representative of more than one committee-member; or(b) act both as a member of the committee and as representative of another member.(6) Where the representative of a committee-member signs any document on the latter’s behalf, the fact that he so signs must be stated below his signature.(7) The acts of the committee are valid notwithstanding any defect in the appointment or qualifications of any committee-member’s representative.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122ZK. Resignation A member of the creditors’ committee may resign by notice in writing delivered to the trustee.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122ZL. Termination of membership (1) A person’s membership of the creditors’ committee is automatically terminated if—(a) he becomes bankrupt or enters into a voluntary arrangement with his creditors;(b) at 3 consecutive meetings of the committee he is neither present nor represented (unless at the third of those meetings it is resolved that this rule is not to apply in his case); or(c) he ceases to be, or is found never to have been, a creditor.(2) Where the cause of termination is the member’s bankruptcy, his trustee in bankruptcy replaces him as a member of the committee.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122ZM. Removal A member of the creditors’ committee may be removed by resolution at a meeting of creditors, at least 14 days’ notice having been given of the intention to move that resolution.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122ZN. Vacancies (1) The following applies if there is a vacancy in the membership of the creditors’ committee.(2) The vacancy need not be filled if the trustee and a majority of the remaining committee-members so agree, provided that the number of members does not fall below the minimum required by rule 122ZE(1).(3) The trustee may appoint any creditor (being qualified under these rules to be a member of the committee) to fill the vacancy, if a majority of the other members of the committee agree to the appointment and the creditor concerned consents to act, or, alternatively, a meeting of creditors may resolve that a creditor be appointed (with his consent) to fill the vacancy, but in this case at least 14 days’ notice must have been given of a resolution to make such an appointment (whether or not of a person named in the notice).(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122ZO. Voting rights and resolutions (1) At any meeting of the creditors’ committee, each member (whether present himself, or by his representative) has one vote; and a resolution is passed when a majority of the members present or represented have voted in favour of it.(2) Every resolution passed shall be recorded in writing, either separately or as part of the minutes of the meeting, and the record shall be signed by the chairman and kept with the records of the bankruptcy.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 122ZP. Resolutions by post (1) In accordance with this rule, the trustee may seek to obtain the agreement of members of the creditors’ committee to a resolution by sending to every member (or his representative designated for the purpose) a copy of the proposed resolution.(2) Where the trustee makes use of the procedure allowed by this rule, he shall send out to members of the committee or their representatives (as the case may be) a copy of any proposed resolution on which a decision is sought, which shall be set out in such a way that agreement with or dissent from each separate resolution may be indicated by the recipient on the copy so sent.(3) Any member of the committee may, within 7 business days from the date of the trustee sending out a resolution, require the trustee to summon a meeting of the committee to consider the matters raised by the resolution.(4) In the absence of such a request, the resolution is deemed to have been carried in the committee if and when the trustee is notified in writing by a majority of the members that they concur with it.(5) A copy of every resolution passed under this rule, and a note that the concurrence of the committee was obtained, shall be kept with the records of the bankruptcy.(L.N. 77 of 1998) Division 17 Dividends (L.N. 150 of 2014) 123. Notice of intended dividend (1) Not more than 4 months before declaring a dividend, the trustee must publish by the specified means notice of his intention to do so and at the same time give notice to such of the creditors mentioned in the bankrupt’s statement of affairs as have not proved their debts. Such notice shall specify the latest date up to which proofs must be lodged, which shall be not less than 14 days from the date of such notice.(2) Where any creditor, after the date mentioned in the notice of intention to declare a dividend as the latest date upon which proofs may be lodged, appeals against the decision of the trustee rejecting a proof, such appeal shall be commenced, and notice thereof given to the trustee, within 7 days from the date of the notice of the decision against which the appeal is made, and the trustee shall in such case make provision for the dividend upon such proof, and the probable costs of such appeal in the event of the proof being admitted. Where no appeal has been commenced within the time specified in this rule, the trustee shall exclude all proofs which have been rejected from participation in the dividend. (3) Immediately after the expiration of the time fixed by this rule for appealing against the decision of the trustee, the trustee— (22 of 2023 s. 43)(a) must proceed to declare a dividend and publish a notice of dividend by the specified means; and(b) must send a notice of dividend to each creditor whose proof has been admitted.(4) If it becomes necessary, in the opinion of the trustee or the creditors’ committee, to postpone the declaration of the dividend beyond the prescribed limit of four months, the trustee must publish by the specified means a fresh notice of his intention to declare a dividend, but it shall not be necessary for such trustee to give a fresh notice to such of the creditors mentioned in the bankrupt’s statement of affairs as have not proved their debts. In all other respects the same procedure shall follow the fresh notice as would have followed the original notice. (L.N. 77 of 1998; 22 of 2023 s. 43) 124. Production of bills, notes, etc. Subject to the provisions of section 70 of the Bills of Exchange Ordinance (Cap. 19), and subject to the power of the court in any other case on special grounds to order production to be dispensed with, every bill of exchange, promissory note or other negotiable instrument or security upon which proof has been made shall be exhibited to the trustee before payment of dividend thereon, and the amount of dividend paid shall be endorsed on the instrument. 125. Dividend may be sent by post The amount of the dividend may be transmitted to a creditor by post.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 126. Payment of dividends to a nominee If a person to whom dividends are payable desires that they shall be paid to some other person, he may lodge with the trustee a request to that effect which shall be a sufficient authority for payment of the dividend to the person therein named. Division 18 Registration of General Assignments of Book Debts (L.N. 150 of 2014) 127. Form of register (1) The Registrar shall keep a register for the purpose of section 48 of the Ordinance, and shall on request and on the filing of a duly attested copy of an assignment of existing or future book debts or any class thereof from a person engaged in any trade or business to any other person, and production of the original thereof, and deposit of a certified English or Chinese translation thereof when the original is in a language other than English or Chinese, enter particulars of such assignment in the register. The register shall contain the name, residence and occupation of the persons by whom and to whom the assignment was made and given, and the other particulars shown in the form prescribed under these rules, and all such assignments registered in each year shall be numbered consecutively according to the respective dates of the registration. (G.N.A. 124 of 1955; L.N. 77 of 1998; 23 of 1998 s. 2)(2) The Registrar shall also keep an index of the names of the assignors under such assignments. Such index shall be arranged in divisions corresponding with the letters of the alphabet, so that all assignors whose surnames begin with the same letter, and no others, shall be comprised in one division but the arrangement within each such division need not be alphabetical.(3) The fees mentioned in the Bankruptcy (Fees and Percentages) Order (Cap. 6 sub. leg. C) and such other fees as may be prescribed shall be paid to the Registrar. (L.N. 143 of 1985) Division 19 Appropriation of Pay, Salary, Pensions, etc. (L.N. 150 of 2014) 128. Application for income payments order (1) Where the trustee applies for an income payments order under section 43E of the Ordinance, the court shall fix the date, time and place for the hearing of the application.(2) Notice of the application, and of the date, time and place, shall be sent by the trustee to the bankrupt at least 28 days before the day fixed for the hearing, together with a copy of the trustee’s application and a short statement of the grounds on which it is made.(3) The notice shall inform the bankrupt that—(a) unless at least 7 days before the date fixed for the hearing he sends to the court and to the trustee written consent to an order being made in the terms of the application, he is required to attend the hearing; and(b) if he attends, he will be given an opportunity to show cause why the order should not be made, or an order should be made otherwise than as applied for by the trustee.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 128A. Action to follow making of order (1) Where the court makes an income payments order, a sealed copy of the order shall, forthwith after it is made, be sent by the trustee to the bankrupt.(2) If the order is made under section 43E(3)(b) of the Ordinance, a sealed copy of the order shall also be sent by the trustee to the person to whom the order is directed.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 128B. Variation of order (1) If an income payments order is made under section 43E(3)(a) of the Ordinance, and the bankrupt does not comply with it, the trustee may apply to the court for the order to be varied, so as to take effect under section 43E(3)(b) of the Ordinance as an order to the payer of the relevant income.(2) The trustee’s application under this rule shall be made inter partes.(3) Sealed copies of any order made on the application shall, forthwith after it is made, be sent by the applicant to the bankrupt.(4) In the case of an order varying or discharging an income payments order made under section 43E(3)(b) of the Ordinance, an additional sealed copy shall be sent to the trustee, for transmission forthwith to the payer of the relevant income.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 128C. Order to payer of income: administration (1) Where a person receives notice of an income payments order under section 43E(3)(b) of the Ordinance, with reference to income otherwise payable by him to the bankrupt, he shall make the arrangements requisite for immediate compliance with the order.(2) When making any payment to the trustee, the person referred to in subrule (1) may deduct the appropriate fee towards the clerical and administrative costs of compliance with the income payments order, but he shall give to the bankrupt a written statement of any amount deducted by him under this subrule. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(3) Where a person receives notice of an income payments order imposing on him a requirement under section 43E(3)(b) of the Ordinance, and either—(a) he is then no longer liable to make to the bankrupt any payment of income; or(b) having made payments in compliance with the order, he ceases to be so liable,he shall forthwith give notice of that fact to the trustee.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 128D. Review of order (1) Where an income payments order is in force, either the trustee or the bankrupt may apply to the court for the order to be varied or discharged.(2) If the application is made by the trustee, rule 128 applies (with any necessary modification) as in the case of an application for an income payments order.(3) If the application is made by the bankrupt, it shall be accompanied by a short statement of the grounds on which it is made.(4) The court may, if it thinks that no sufficient cause is shown for the application, dismiss it; but it shall not do so unless the applicant has had an opportunity to attend the court for an ex parte hearing, of which he has been given at least 7 days’ notice.(5) If the application is not dismissed, the court shall fix the date, time and place for it to be heard.(6) At least 28 days before the date fixed for the hearing, the applicant shall send to the trustee or the bankrupt (whichever of them is not himself the applicant) notice of the date, time and place, accompanied by a copy of the application, and where the applicant is the bankrupt, the notice shall be accompanied by a copy of the statement of grounds under subrule (3). (L.N. 150 of 2014)(7) The trustee may, if he thinks fit, appear and be heard on the application; and, whether or not he intends to appear, he may, not less than 7 days before the date fixed for the hearing, file a written report of any matters which he considers ought to be drawn to the court’s attention.(8) If such a report is filed, a copy of it shall be sent by the trustee to the bankrupt.(9) Sealed copies of any order made on the application shall, forthwith after the order is made, be sent by the applicant to the trustee or the bankrupt, if the trustee or the bankrupt is not the applicant, and the payer (if other than the bankrupt).(L.N. 77 of 1998) 129. Review of order Where an order has been made for the payment by a bankrupt, or by his employer for the time being, of a portion of his income or salary (including any bonus or commission payable to him), the bankrupt may, upon his ceasing to receive a salary or income of the amount he received when the order was made, apply to the court to rescind the order or to reduce the amount ordered to be paid by him to the trustee. And in the case of any increase in the amount of such salary, or income (inclusive of any bonus or commission as aforesaid) the trustee may in like manner apply to the court to increase the amount ordered to be paid by the bankrupt to the trustee.(L.N. 77 of 1998) Division 20 Disclaimer of Lease (L.N. 150 of 2014) 130. Disclaimer of lease (1) A lease may be disclaimed without the leave of the court in any of the following cases—(a) where the bankrupt has not sublet the demised premises or any part thereof or created a mortgage or charge upon the lease, and—(i) the rent reserved or the value of the property leased, as ascertained by the assessment, is less than $360,000 per annum; or (L.N. 77 of 1998)(ii) the trustee serves the lessor with notice of his intention to disclaim, and the lessor does not within 7 days after the receipt of such notice give notice to the trustee requiring the matter to be brought before the court;(b) where the bankrupt has sublet the demised premises or created a mortgage or charge upon the lease, and the trustee serves the lessor and the sub-lessee or the persons entitled to the mortgage or charge with notice of his intention to disclaim, and neither the lessor nor the sub-lessee or the persons entitled to the mortgage or charge or any of them, within 14 days after the receipt of such notice, require or requires the matter to be brought before the court.(2) Except as provided by this rule, the disclaimer of a lease without the leave of the court shall be void.(3) Where a trustee disclaims a lease, he shall forthwith file the disclaimer with the proceedings in the court and shall also, if the lease is registered in the Land Registry, register a memorial of such disclaimer in the Land Registry, and the disclaimer shall contain particulars of the interest disclaimed and a statement of the persons to whom notice of the disclaimer has been given. Until the disclaimer is so filed, or, as the case may be, filed and registered, by the trustee, the disclaimer shall be inoperative. (8 of 1993 s. 30; 20 of 2002 s. 5)(4) Where, in pursuance of notice by the trustee of his intention to disclaim a lease, the lessor, sub-lessee, or person entitled to a mortgage or charge requires the trustee to apply to the court for leave to disclaim, the costs of the lessor, sub-lessee, or person entitled to a mortgage or charge shall not be allowed out of the estate of the bankrupt except in cases in which the court is satisfied that such application was necessary in order to do justice between the parties.(5) A disclaimer made without leave of the court under this rule shall not be void or otherwise affected on the ground only that the notice required by this rule has not been given to some person who claims to be interested in the demised property.(6) Where any person claims to be interested in any part of the property of the bankrupt burdened with onerous covenants, he shall, at the request of the trustee, furnish a statement of the interest so claimed by him. (L.N. 77 of 1998)(G.N.A. 124 of 1955; G.N. 231 of 1984) Division 21 Proceedings by Company or Co-partnership (L.N. 150 of 2014) 131. Public officer or agent of company, etc.

A bankruptcy petition against any debtor of any company or co-partnership duly authorized to sue and be sued in the name of a public officer or agent of such company or co-partnership may be presented by or sued out by such public officer or agent as the nominal petitioner for and on behalf of such company or co-partnership, on such public officer or agent filing an affidavit stating that he is such public officer or agent and that he is authorized to present or sue out such petition.(L.N. 77 of 1998) Division 22 Proceedings by or against Firm (L.N. 150 of 2014) 132. Attestation of firm signature Where any notice, declaration, petition or other document requiring attestation is signed by a firm of creditors or debtors in the firm name, the partner signing for the firm shall add also his own signature e.g. “Brown & Co. by James Green, a partner in the said firm.”.(E.R. 4 of 2020) 133. Debtor’s petition by firm Where a firm of debtors file a declaration of inability to pay their debts or a bankruptcy petition, the same shall contain the names in full of the individual partners, and if such declaration or petition is signed in the firm name the declaration or petition shall be accompanied by an affidavit made by the partner who signs the declaration or petition, showing that all the partners concur in the filing of the same:Provided that the court may dispense with proof of the concurrence of any partner if it has been impracticable to obtain his concurrence in time. 134. Creditor’s petition by firm A creditor’s petition in the firm name may be presented by any partner of the firm, or in the absence of all the partners from Hong Kong by any person having the control or management of the business of the firm.(L.N. 231 of 1984) 135. Creditor’s petition against firm Where a petition is filed against a firm, the petitioning creditor, or if the petitioning creditor is a firm then one of the partners therein, shall state on affidavit the names and addresses of all the partners in the debtor firm to the best of his information and belief. 136. Petition by limited partnership A limited partnership registered under the Limited Partnerships Ordinance (Cap. 37) may present a petition in bankruptcy as creditors in the name of the firm. The petition shall be signed by a partner or, in the absence of all the partners from Hong Kong, by any person having the control or management of the firm.(L.N. 231 of 1984) 136A. Petition by limited partnership fund (1) A limited partnership fund registered under the Limited Partnership Fund Ordinance (Cap. 637) (Ordinance) may present a petition in bankruptcy as creditor in the name of the fund. (E.R. 5 of 2020)(2) The petition must be signed by—(a) the general partner (as defined by section 2 of the Ordinance) in the fund; or(b) if the fund has an authorized representative (as defined by section 2 of the Ordinance)—the authorized representative.(14 of 2020 s. 103) 137. Statement of affairs In cases of partnership, the debtors shall submit a statement of their partnership affairs and each debtor shall submit a statement of his separate affairs. 138. General meeting of creditors to appoint trustee Where a bankruptcy order is made against a firm, the joint and separate creditors may collectively be convened to a general meeting for the purpose of appointing a trustee.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 139. Acceptance of voluntary arrangements by joint and separate creditors The joint creditors, and each set of separate creditors, may severally accept voluntary arrangements. So far as circumstances allow, a proposal accepted by joint creditors may be approved in the prescribed manner, notwithstanding that the proposals or proposal of some or one of the debtors made to their or his separate creditors may not be accepted.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 140. Voting on voluntary arrangements Where proposals for voluntary arrangements are made by a firm, and by the partners therein individually, the proposal made to the joint creditors shall be considered and voted upon by them apart from every set of separate creditors, and the proposal made to each separate set of creditors shall be considered and voted upon by such separate set of creditors apart from all other creditors. Such proposals may vary in character and amount. Where a voluntary arrangement is approved, the bankruptcy order shall be discharged only so far as it relates to the estate the creditors of which have accepted the voluntary arrangement.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 141. Bankruptcy order, trustee Following the making of a bankruptcy order against a partnership, the trustee appointed by the joint creditors, or by the court under section 81(3) of the Ordinance, as the case may be, shall be the trustee of the separate estates. Each set of separate creditors may appoint its own committee of inspection, but, if any set of separate creditors does not appoint a separate committee, the committee (if any) appointed by the joint creditors shall be deemed to have been appointed also by such separate creditors.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 142. Separate firms If any 2 or more of the members of a partnership constitute a separate and independent firm, the creditors of such last-mentioned firm shall be deemed to be a separate set of creditors and to be on the same footing as the separate creditors of any individual member of the firm. And where any surplus arises upon the administration of the assets of such separate or independent firm the same shall be carried over to the separate estates of the partners in such separate and independent firm according to their respective rights therein. Division 23 Lunatics (L.N. 150 of 2014) 143. Lunatics (1) Where it appears to the court that any debtor or creditor or other person who may be affected by any proceeding under the Ordinance or rules is a lunatic not so found by inquisition (hereinafter called the lunatic), the court may appoint such person as it may think fit to appear for, represent or act for and in the name of the lunatic, either generally or in and for the purpose of any particular application or proceeding or the exercise of any particular rights or powers which under the Ordinance and rules the lunatic might have exercised if he had been of sound mind. The appointment may be made by the court either on an application made as hereinafter mentioned or, if the court thinks fit so to do, without any previous application.(2) An application to the court to make an appointment under this rule may be made by any person who has been duly appointed by the court to manage the affairs or property of or to represent the lunatic, or by any relative or friend of the lunatic who may appear to the court to be a proper person to make the application, or by the Official Receiver.(3) The application may be made ex parte and without notice, but in any case in which the court thinks it desirable the court may require such notice of the application as it thinks necessary to be given to the Official Receiver or trustee (if any) or to the petitioning creditor or to the person alleged to be a lunatic, or to any other person, and for that purpose may adjourn the hearing of the application.(4) Where the application is made by some person other than the Official Receiver, it shall be supported by an affidavit of a medical practitioner as to the physical and mental condition of the lunatic. Where the application is made by the Official Receiver, it may be supported by a report of the Official Receiver, the contents of which shall be received as prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated.(5) When a person has been appointed under this rule, any notice under the Ordinance and rules served on or given to such person shall have the same effect as if the notice had been served on or given to the lunatic. Division 24 Administration of Estates of Deceased Insolvents (L.N. 150 of 2014) 144. Verification of petition A creditor’s petition, and a petition by the legal personal representative of the deceased, under section 112 of the Ordinance shall be verified by affidavit. 145. Deposit The provisions of rule 52 as to deposits on presentation of a petition shall apply to petitions presented by a creditor or by a legal personal representative under section 112 of the Ordinance. 146. Publication of administration order When an administration order under section 112 of the Ordinance is made, the Official Receiver must, as soon as practicable after the order is made, publish a notice of the order by the specified means.(22 of 2023 s. 44) 147. Service (1) The petition shall, unless the court otherwise directs, be served on each executor who has proved the will or, as the case may be, on each person who has taken out letters of administration or, if there is no personal representative in Hong Kong, on the Official Administrator. The court may also, if the court thinks fit, order the petition to be served on any other person.(2) Service shall be proved in the same way as in the case of an ordinary creditor’s petition, and the petition shall be heard in the like manner. (G.N.A. 124 of 1955)(3) Where any executor or administrator or the Official Administrator, as the case may be, intends to show cause against the petition, he shall file with the Official Receiver a notice specifying the grounds on which he intends to show cause and shall transmit by post to the petitioning creditor, or to his solicitor, a copy of the notice, in each case three days before the day on which the petition is to be heard.(L.N. 231 of 1984) 148. Duties of executor, etc. (1) When an administration order under section 112 of the Ordinance has been made, it shall be the duty of the executor or legal personal representative of the deceased debtor, or of the Official Administrator, to lodge with the Official Receiver forthwith (in duplicate) an account of the dealings with, and administration of (if any), the deceased’s estate by such executor or legal personal representative or by the Official Administrator, and such executor or legal personal representative or the Official Administrator shall also furnish forthwith in duplicate a list of the creditors and a statement of the assets and liabilities and such other particulars of the affairs of the deceased as may be required by the Official Receiver. Every account, list and statement to be made under this rule shall be made and verified as nearly as may be in accordance with the practice for the time being of the original jurisdiction of the court. (G.N.A. 124 of 1955)(2) The expense of preparing, making, verifying and lodging any account, list and statement under this rule shall, after being taxed, be allowed out of the estate, upon production of the necessary allocatur. 149. Meetings of creditors, trustees, etc. In proceedings under an order for the administration of the estate of a person dying insolvent, where a meeting of creditors is summoned for the appointment of a trustee—(a) the provisions of these rules relating to the mode of summoning a meeting of creditors, and to the persons entitled to vote at a meeting, and(b) the provisions of these rules which refer to creditors, meetings of creditors, trustees and creditors’ committees,shall, so far as applicable, apply as if the proceedings were under a bankruptcy order.(L.N. 77 of 1998) Division 25 Summary Administration of Small Bankruptcies (L.N. 150 of 2014) 149A. Administration of small bankruptcies (1) Where the court orders that an estate shall be administered in a summary manner under section 112A of the Ordinance, the provisions of the Ordinance and these rules shall, subject to any special direction of the court, be modified in accordance with subrules (2), (3), (7) and (8). (L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 150 of 2014)(2) On the making of the order the trustee shall forthwith cause notice thereof to be published by the specified means, but there shall be no advertisement of any subsequent proceedings unless the court otherwise directs. (L.N. 123 of 2007; 22 of 2023 s. 45)(3) The title of every document in the proceedings subsequent to the making of the order shall contain the words “Summary Case”. (E.R. 4 of 2020)(4)-(6) (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998)(7) Notices of meetings other than first meetings shall not be sent to creditors whose debts do not exceed $2,000. (L.N. 77 of 1998)(8) The fees and charges payable to any person under and within the prescribed scale may, unless the Official Receiver otherwise requires, be paid and allowed without reduction or taxation.(L.N. 39 of 1976; L.N. 143 of 1985) Part 4 Official Receiver, Trustees, Special Managers, Security by Trustee or Special Manager, Publication of Notices, Accounts and Audit, Unclaimed Funds (L.N. 150 of 2014; 22 of 2023 s. 46) Division 1 Official Receiver and Trustee (L.N. 123 of 2007; L.N. 150 of 2014) 150. Duties as to bankrupt’s statement of affairs (1) As soon as a bankruptcy order is made, the trustee shall provide the bankrupt with a form for the preparation of his statement of affairs.(2) The trustee may hold interviews with the bankrupt for the purpose of investigating the bankrupt’s affairs. (L.N. 123 of 2007)(3) It shall be the duty of the bankrupt to attend at such times and places as the trustee may appoint.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 151. Subsistence allowance to bankrupt Subject to any general or special directions which the court may give, the trustee, while in the possession of the property of a bankrupt, may make him such allowance out of his property for the support of himself and his family as may be just. In fixing the amount of such allowance, the assistance rendered by the bankrupt in the management of his business or affairs may be taken into account.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 152. Special report as to person employed to assist bankrupt Whenever, under the powers given by section 86B of the Ordinance, the trustee employs any person to assist the bankrupt in the preparation of his statement of affairs, the trustee shall report the matter to the court and specify the remuneration to be allowed to such person.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 153. Use of proxies by deputy Where the Official Receiver holds any proxies but cannot conveniently attend any meeting of creditors at which such proxy or proxies might be used, he may depute some person under his official control, by writing under his hand, to attend such meeting and use proxies on his behalf and in such manner as he may direct. 154. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 155. Removal of special manager If the court appoints a special manager, the Official Receiver may at any time remove him if his employment seems unnecessary or unprofitable to the estate, and he shall remove him if so required by a special resolution of the creditors.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 156. Mode of application to court Applications by the Official Receiver to the court may be made personally, and without notice or other formality, but the court may in any case order that an application may be renewed in a formal manner and that such notice thereof be given to any person likely to be affected thereby as the court may direct. 157. Evidence on application by Official Receiver Where for the purposes of any application to the court by the Official Receiver for directions, or on his opposing a bankruptcy order or applying to annul a bankruptcy order, or for leave to disclaim a lease, or for an extension of time to apply for leave to disclaim a lease, or for an order to take criminal proceedings against a bankrupt, or to commit a bankrupt, it is necessary that evidence be given by him in support of such opposition or application, such evidence may be given by a report of the Official Receiver to the court and need not be given by affidavit, and any such report of the Official Receiver to the court shall be received by the court as prima facie evidence of the matters reported upon.(G.N.A. 124 of 1955; L.N. 77 of 1998) 158. Application for directions In any case of doubt or difficulty or in any matter not provided for by the Ordinance or any rules thereunder relating to any proceeding in court, the Official Receiver may apply to the court for directions. 158A. No expenses to be incurred where no assets Where a debtor against whom a bankruptcy order has been made has no available assets, the Official Receiver shall not be required to incur any expense in relation to the estate unless the court otherwise directs.(L.N. 143 of 1985; L.N. 77 of 1998) 159. Accounting by Official Receiver (1) Where the Official Receiver is the trustee and where a debtor’s proposal is approved by a meeting summoned under section 20E of the Ordinance, the Official Receiver shall account to the nominee when the latter is not the Official Receiver. (L.N. 77 of 1998)(2) Where a bankruptcy order is made against a debtor and— (L.N. 123 of 2007)(a) a provisional trustee is appointed under section 12(1A) of the Ordinance, the Official Receiver shall account to the provisional trustee; or(b) where the Official Receiver remains as the provisional trustee and a trustee other than the Official Receiver is appointed, the Official Receiver shall account to the trustee. (L.N. 77 of 1998)(3) The provisions of this Part of these rules as to trustees and their accounts shall not apply to the Official Receiver when acting as trustee, but he shall account in such manner as is provided by the Ordinance or as the court may from time to time direct.(G.N.A. 124 of 1955; L.N. 123 of 2007) 159A. Accounting by provisional trustee Where—(a) rule 159(2)(a) applies; and(b) a person other than the provisional trustee is subsequently appointed as the trustee,the provisional trustee shall account to the trustee.(L.N. 123 of 2007) 160. Accounts of bankrupt The bankrupt shall on the request of the Official Receiver or trustee, as the case may be, provide him with all such accounts and particulars as he may require. If the bankrupt fails to comply with the requirements of this rule, the Official Receiver or trustee, as the case may be, shall report such failure to the court and the court shall take such action on such report as the court may think just.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 161. Liability for costs, expenses and damages (1) Subject to subrules (2) and (3), where proceedings are taken against the Official Receiver in respect of anything done or default made by him when acting, or in the bona fide or reasonable belief that he is acting, in pursuance of the Ordinance or in execution of the powers given to the Official Receiver by the Ordinance, the costs, damages and expenses which the Official Receiver may have to pay, or to which he may be put under such proceedings, shall be paid out of the estate of the debtor and not personally. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(2) Where such proceedings are commenced before the appointment of a trustee or before a debtor’s proposal is approved by a meeting summoned under section 20E of the Ordinance, the Official Receiver may, before putting the trustee, or the nominee of an approved proposal, in possession of the debtor’s property, retain the whole or some part of the debtor’s estate to meet any costs, expenses or damages which he may incur in consequence of the proceedings. (L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007)(3) Where such proceedings are commenced after the appointment of a trustee, or after the approval of such a proposal, the Official Receiver shall forthwith give notice of such proceedings to the trustee or the nominee and as from the date of the notice the estate shall be charged with the payment of the said costs, expenses and damages. (L.N. 77 of 1998)(L.N. 39 of 1976)(Cross-heading repealed L.N. 123 of 2007) 162. Notice of appointment (1) On his appointment, a trustee shall forthwith arrange for a notice of his appointment to be published by the specified means.(2) The expense of such publication is to be borne by the estate.(L.N. 77 of 1998; 22 of 2023 s. 47) 163. Grounds for refusing to appoint It shall be a sufficient reason for refusing to approve the appointment of a person as trustee that in any other proceedings under the Ordinance such person has either been removed under section 96(2) of the Ordinance from the office of trustee or has failed or neglected, without good cause shown by him, to render his accounts for audit for 2 months after the date by which the same should have been rendered. 163A. Trustee to provide information to Official Receiver The Official Receiver may at any time require a trustee to provide him with any information or produce to him any document in connection with the bankruptcy proceedings for which the trustee is appointed, and the trustee shall comply with the requirement within the time specified by the Official Receiver.(L.N. 123 of 2007) 164. Removal for failing to keep up or increase security Where a trustee or special manager has given security in the prescribed manner but fails to keep up such security or, if called upon to do so, to increase such security, the court may remove him from his office. 165. Removal by court Where a trustee is removed by the court, the order removing him shall at once be filed with the proceedings in the matter and shall also be published by the specified means by the Official Receiver.(22 of 2023 s. 48) 166. Notice of resignation A trustee intending to resign his office shall call a meeting of creditors to consider whether his resignation shall be accepted or not, and shall give not less than 7 days’ notice of the meeting to the Official Receiver. 167. Limit of remuneration Except as provided by the Ordinance or any rules thereunder, no trustee shall be entitled to receive out of the estate any remuneration for services rendered to the estate except the remuneration to which under the Ordinance and such rules he is entitled as trustee. 168. Trustee carrying on business (1) Where the trustee or special manager carries on the business of the debtor or bankrupt, he shall keep a distinct account of the trading and shall incorporate in the cash book the total weekly amount of the receipts and payments on such trading account.(2) The trading account shall from time to time, and not less than once in 3 months, be verified by affidavit and the trustee shall thereupon submit such account to the creditors’ committee (if any), or such member thereof as may be appointed by the committee for that purpose, who shall examine and certify the same.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 169. Application for release A trustee before making application to the court for his release shall give notice of his intention so to do to the Official Receiver, to all the creditors of the bankrupt who have proved their debts and to the bankrupt, and shall send with such notice a summary of his receipts and payments as trustee:Provided that, where such application is made upon the trustee ceasing to act by reason of a proposal having been approved by a meeting summoned under section 20E of the Ordinance, such notice and summary shall be sent to the bankrupt only.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 170. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 171. Delivery of books, etc., on release of trustee The release of a trustee shall not take effect unless and until he has duly delivered over all the books, papers, documents and accounts which by these rules he is required to deliver over on his release. 172. Meeting to consider removal of trustee Where one-fourth in value of the creditors desire that a general meeting of the creditors may be summoned to consider the propriety of removing the trustee, such meeting may be summoned by a member of the creditors’ committee, or by the Official Receiver, on the deposit of a sum sufficient to defray the expenses of summoning such meeting.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 173. Bank account The trustee shall forthwith pay all moneys received by him as trustee to the credit of the bank account in the name of the debtor’s estate opened by him in pursuance of the provisions of section 91(1) of the Ordinance. All payments out shall be made by cheque payable to order, and every cheque shall have marked or written on the face of it the name of the estate and shall be signed by the trustee.(G.N.A. 124 of 1955; L.N. 77 of 1998) 174. Application for directions Where a trustee applies to the court for directions in any matter, he shall file an application, and the court shall then hear the application, or fix a day for hearing it, and direct the trustee to apply by motion.(G.N.A. 124 of 1955) 175. Creditor may obtain copy of trustee’s accounts Any creditor who has proved his debt may apply to the trustee for a copy of the accounts (or any part thereof) relating to the estate as shown by the cash book up to date, and on paying for the same at the rate of $20 per folio he shall be entitled to have such copy accordingly.(G.N.A. 124 of 1955; L.N. 77 of 1998) 176. Statements of accounts to be provided to creditors (L.N. 123 of 2007)Where in pursuance of section 88 of the Ordinance the trustee is required to provide the creditors with a statement of the accounts, the cost of providing such statement shall be calculated at the rate of $20 per folio for each statement.(G.N.A. 124 of 1955; L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 177. Dealings by committee-members and others (1) This rule applies to—(a) any member of the creditors’ committee;(b) any committee-member’s representative;(c) any person who is an associate of a member of the committee or of a committee-member’s representative;(d) any person who has been a member of the committee at any time in the last 12 months; and(e) the trustee.(2) Subject as follows, a person to whom this rule applies shall not enter into any transaction whereby he—(a) receives out of the estate any payment for services given or goods supplied in connection with the estate’s administration;(b) obtains any profit from the administration; or(c) acquires any asset forming part of the estate.(3) Such a transaction may be entered into by a person to whom this rule applies—(a) with the prior leave of the court;(b) if he does so as a matter of urgency, or by way of performance of a contract in force before the commencement of the bankruptcy, and obtains the court’s leave for the transaction, having applied for it without undue delay; or(c) with the prior sanction of the creditors’ committee, where it is satisfied (after full disclosure of the circumstances) that the person will be giving full value in the transaction.(4) Where in the committee a resolution is proposed that sanction be accorded for a transaction to be entered into which, without the sanction or the leave of the court, would be in contravention of this rule, no member of the committee, and no representative of a member, shall vote if he is to participate directly or indirectly in the transaction.(5) The court may, on application of any person interested—(a) set aside a transaction on the ground that it has been entered into in contravention of this rule; and(b) make with respect to it such other order as it thinks fit, including (subject to the following subrule) an order requiring a person to whom this rule applies to account for any profit obtained from the transaction and compensate the estate for any resultant loss. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(6) In the case of a person to whom this rule applies as an associate of a member of the committee or of a committee-member’s representative, the court shall not make any order under subrule (5), if satisfied that he entered into the relevant transaction without having any reason to suppose that in doing so he would contravene this rule. (L.N. 150 of 2014)(7) The costs of an application to the court for leave under this rule do not fall on the estate, unless the court so orders.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 178. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 179. Discharge of costs, etc., before estate handed over to trustee (1) Where a bankruptcy order is made against a debtor and a trustee is appointed, the provisional trustee shall forthwith put the trustee into possession of all property of the bankrupt of which the provisional trustee may be possessed; provided that such trustee has, before the estate is handed over to him by the provisional trustee, discharged any balance due to the Official Receiver and provisional trustee on account of fees, costs and charges properly incurred by them and payable under the Ordinance, and on account of all advances properly made by them in respect of the estate, together with interest on such advances at the rate of 8 per cent per annum, and has discharged or undertaken to discharge all guarantees which have been given by the Official Receiver or provisional trustee for the benefit of the estate; and the trustee shall pay all fees, costs and charges of the Official Receiver and provisional trustee which may not have been discharged by the trustee before being put into possession of the property of the bankrupt and whether incurred before or after he has been put into such possession. (L.N. 77 of 1998)(2) The Official Receiver and provisional trustee shall be deemed to have a lien upon the estate until such balance has been paid and such guarantees and other liabilities have been discharged.(3) It shall be the duty of the provisional trustee, if so requested by the trustee, to communicate to the trustee all such information respecting the bankrupt and his estate and affairs as may be necessary or conducive to the due discharge of the duties of the trustee.(L.N. 123 of 2007) 180. Meetings of creditors to consider conduct of trustee Where the Official Receiver is of opinion that any act done by a trustee or any resolution passed by a creditors’ committee should be brought to the notice of the creditors, for the purpose of being reviewed or otherwise, the Official Receiver may summon a meeting of creditors accordingly to consider the same, and the expense of summoning such meeting shall be paid by the trustee out of any available assets under his control.(L.N. 77 of 1998) Division 2 Special Manager (L.N. 150 of 2014) 181. (Repealed L.N. 77 of 1998) 182. Accounts Every special manager shall account to the trustee, and such special manager’s accounts shall be verified by affidavit in the prescribed form, and, when approved by the trustee, the totals of the receipts and payments shall be added to the trustee’s accounts.(G.N.A. 124 of 1955; L.N. 123 of 2007) Division 3 Security by Trustee or Special Manager (L.N. 150 of 2014) 183. Standing security to Official Receiver In the case of a trustee or special manager the following rules as to security shall be observed—(a) the security shall be given to the Official Receiver; (L.N. 77 of 1998)(b) it shall not be necessary that security be given in each separate matter, but security may be given either specially in a particular matter or generally to be available for any matter in which the person giving security may be appointed either as trustee or special manager;(c) the Official Receiver shall fix the amount and nature of such security and may from time to time, as he thinks fit, either increase or diminish the amount of special or general security which any person has given. Division 4 Publication of Notices (L.N. 150 of 2014; 22 of 2023 s. 49) 184. Publishing notices (22 of 2023 s. 50)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this Ordinance, all notices required to be published by the specified means must be published by the Official Receiver or trustee, as the case may be. (L.N. 77 of 1998; 22 of 2023 s. 50)(2) (Repealed L.N. 123 of 2007) 185. Republication of order or matter (1) This rule applies if—(a) a bankruptcy order is amended;(b) a matter gazetted by a responsible person before the appointed date has been amended or altered, or a matter has been wrongly or inaccurately gazetted by a responsible person before the appointed date; or(c) a matter published by the specified means by a responsible person after the appointed date has been amended or altered, or a matter has been wrongly or inaccurately published by the specified means by a responsible person after the appointed date.(2) The responsible person must republish by the specified means such order or matter with the necessary amendments and alterations in the prescribed form.(3) Subject to any order made by the court, the fee for republishing such order or matter must be paid at the expense of the estate.(4) In subrule (1)—*appointed date (指定日期) means the date on which Part 3 of the Bankruptcy and Companies Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance 2023 (22 of 2023) comes into operation;responsible person (負責人) means the Official Receiver or the trustee.(22 of 2023 s. 51) Editorial Note: * Appointed date: 29 December 2023. 186. Publishing notice of annulment of order already gazetted or published by specified means (1) This rule applies if—(a) a notice for an order has been gazetted before the appointed date and the order is annulled; or(b) a notice for an order has been published by the specified means after the appointed date and the order is annulled.(2) Subject to any order made by the court, notice of the order of annulment must be published by the specified means.(3) The fee for publishing the notice mentioned in subrule (2) must be paid—(a) if the order is annulled on the application of the Official Receiver or the trustee—out of the estate; or(b) if the order is annulled on the application of any other person—subject to any order made by the court, by the person who makes the application.(4) In subrule (1)—*appointed date (指定日期) means the date on which Part 3 of the Bankruptcy and Companies Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance 2023 (22 of 2023) comes into operation.(22 of 2023 s. 51) Editorial Note: * Appointed date: 29 December 2023. Division 5 Accounts and Audit (L.N. 150 of 2014) 187. Record of minutes, etc. The trustee shall keep a record of all minutes, all proceedings had and resolutions passed at any meeting of creditors or of the creditors’ committee, and all such matters as may be necessary to give a correct view of his administration of the estate, but he shall not be bound to insert in the record any document of a confidential nature (such as the opinion of counsel on any matter affecting the interest of the creditors) nor need he exhibit such document to any person other than a member of the creditors’ committee.(L.N. 77 of 1998; L.N. 123 of 2007) 188. Cash book (1) The trustee shall keep a book to be called the “Cash Book” in which he shall (subject to the provisions of these rules as to trading accounts) enter the receipts and payments made by him. (L.N. 123 of 2007; 22 of 2023 s. 10)(2) Such a book must be in the specified form. (22 of 2023 s. 10) 189. Books to be submitted to creditors’ committee The trustee shall submit the said record and cash book, together with any other requisite books and vouchers, to the creditors’ committee (if any) when required, and not less than once every 3 months.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 190. Audit of cash book (1) The creditors’ committee must audit the cash book not less than once every 6 months.(2) When the cash book has been audited, the creditors’ committee must issue a certificate in the prescribed form certifying that the cash book has been audited by the committee.(22 of 2023 s. 11) 191. Official Receiver’s audit of trustee’s accounts (1)-(2) (Repealed L.N. 123 of 2007)(3) The account provided by a trustee for the purposes of section 93 of the Ordinance must be certified as correct by the trustee. (22 of 2023 s. 12)(L.N. 77 of 1998) 192. Accounts to be filed When the trustee’s account has been audited, the Official Receiver shall certify that the account has been duly passed and shall file the same with the proceedings in the bankruptcy. 193. (Repealed L.N. 123 of 2007) 194. Proceedings on resignation, etc., of trustee Upon a trustee resigning or being released or removed from his office, he shall deliver over to the Official Receiver or, as the case may be, to the new trustee all books kept by him and all other books, papers, documents and accounts in his possession relating to the office of trustee. 195. Joint and separate estates accounts Where a bankruptcy order has been made against debtors in partnership, distinct accounts shall be kept of the joint estate and of the separate estate or estates, and no transfer of a surplus from a separate estate to the joint estate on the ground that there are no creditors under such separate estate shall be made until notice of the intention to make such transfer has been published by the specified means.(L.N. 77 of 1998; 22 of 2023 s. 52) 196. Expenses of sale When property forming part of a bankrupt’s estate is sold by the trustee through an auctioneer or other agent, the gross proceeds of the sale shall be paid over by such auctioneer or agent, and the charges and expenses connected with the sale shall afterwards be paid to such auctioneer or agent on the production of the necessary allocatur of the taxing officer.(G.N.A. 124 of 1955; L.N. 77 of 1998) 197. Allowance to debtor In any case in which, under the provisions of section 63 of the Ordinance, a trustee makes an allowance to a bankrupt out of his property, such allowance, unless the creditors by special resolution determine otherwise, shall be in money and the amount allowed shall be duly entered in the trustee’s accounts. Division 6 Unclaimed Funds (L.N. 150 of 2014) 198. Application for payment out by party entitled An application under section 128 of the Ordinance for payment out of the Bankruptcy Estates Account of any sum to which any person claims to be entitled shall be made in such form and manner as the Official Receiver may from time to time direct and shall (unless the Official Receiver dispenses therewith) be supported by the affidavit of the claimant and such further evidence as the Official Receiver may require.(L.N. 39 of 1976) 199. Accounts by trustees of unclaimed funds For the purposes of section 128(1) of the Ordinance, the court may at any time order the trustee under any bankruptcy or the nominee of an approved voluntary arrangement to submit to it an account verified by affidavit of the sums received and paid by him in respect of such bankruptcy or approved voluntary arrangement, and may direct and enforce an audit of the account and payment of any unclaimed or undistributed moneys arising from the property of the debtor in the hands or under the control of such trustee or nominee into the Bankruptcy Estates Account in accordance with the terms of the said subsection.(L.N. 77 of 1998) Part 5 Miscellaneous (L.N. 150 of 2014) 200. Falsification of documents (1) Any person who knowingly falsifies or fraudulently alters any document in or incidental to any proceedings under the Ordinance or any rules thereunder shall be deemed to be guilty of contempt of court and shall be liable to be punished accordingly.(2) The penalty imposed by this rule shall be in addition to and not in substitution for any other penalty, punishment or proceeding to which such person may be liable. 201. No lien on bankrupt’s books No person shall, as against the Official Receiver or trustee, be entitled to withhold possession of the books of account or of any document or paper belonging to the bankrupt or to set up any lien thereon.(L.N. 77 of 1998) 202. Disposal of books etc. The court may at any time after the date of the bankruptcy order, on the application of the Official Receiver or trustee, direct that the books, papers and documents of the bankrupt or of the Official Receiver or trustee be sold, destroyed or otherwise disposed of.(L.N. 231 of 1984; L.N. 77 of 1998) 203. Non-compliance with rules Non-compliance with any of these rules, or with any rule of practice for the time being in force, shall not render any proceeding void unless the court so directs, but such proceeding may be set aside, either wholly or in part, as irregular, or amended or otherwise dealt with in such manner and upon such terms as the court may think fit.(G.N.A. 124 of 1955) 204. Abridgment or enlargement of time The court may, under special circumstances and for good cause shown, extend or abridge the time appointed by these rules or fixed by any order of the court for doing any act or taking any proceeding. 205. Official Administrator For the purposes of rules 60, 147 and 148 and section 112 of the Ordinance, the Official Administrator shall be the Official Administrator as provided for in the Probate and Administration Ordinance (Cap. 10).(L.N. 77 of 1998) Schedule [rule 32]Regulations as to Costs (L.N. 150 of 2014) 1. The scale of costs and the amount and the mode of taxation thereof shall be that applicable from time to time in the original jurisdiction of the Court of First Instance. (25 of 1998 s. 2) 2. In respect of business connected with sales, purchases, leases, mortgages and other matters of conveyancing, and in respect of other business not being transacted in court or in chambers, and not being otherwise contentious business, the solicitor’s remuneration shall (in the absence of any agreement to the contrary) be regulated by the conveyancing scale charges for the time being in force: Provided that, in cases of sales of mortgaged properties, the trustee’s solicitor shall be entitled to percentage only upon so much of the proceeds of sale as shall not be chargeable by the mortgagee’s solicitor with the percentage, and such percentage shall be payable only out of the proceeds of sale. 3. All court fees and other proper disbursements shall be allowed in addition to the remuneration in the authorized scale. 4. Extra allowance for length of sitting, or other increased allowances not inconsistent with the scale, may be allowed: Provided that any such allowances shall have been ordered and certified by the court at the time, or all such charges shall be disallowed. 5. Vouchers shall be produced on taxation for all payments, or such payments shall be disallowed. 6. As to all fees or allowances which are discretionary, the same are, unless otherwise provided, to be allowed at the discretion of the Registrar, who in the exercise of such discretion is to take into consideration other fees and allowances to the solicitor and counsel, if any, in respect of the work to which any such allowance applies, the nature and importance of the matter, the amount involved, the interest of the parties, the estate or person to bear the costs, the general conduct and costs of the proceedings, and all other circumstances. 7. The allowances to witnesses in bankruptcy proceedings in the court shall be in accordance with those from time to time ordinarily made in proceedings in the original jurisdiction of the Court of First Instance. (25 of 1998 s. 2)