Cap 300 - CROWN PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE 1
Chapter: 300 CROWN PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE Gazette Number Version Date
Long title 30/06/1997
To amend the law relating to the civil liabilities and rights of the Crown and to civil proceedings by and against the
Crown, to amend the law relating to the civil liabilities of persons other than the Crown in certain cases
involving the affairs or property of the Crown, and for purposes connected with the matters aforesaid.
[1 November 1957] G.N.A. 81 of 1957
(Originally 18 of 1957)
Part: I PRELIMINARY 30/06/1997
Section: 1 Short title 30/06/1997
This Ordinance may be cited as the Crown Proceedings Ordinance.
Section: 2 Interpretation L.N. 362 of 1997 01/07/1997
(1) Any reference in this Ordinance to the provisions of this Ordinance shall, unless the context otherwise
requires, include a reference to rules of court made for the purposes of this Ordinance.
(2) In this Ordinance, except in so far as the context otherwise requires, or it is otherwise expressly provided,
the following expressions have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, that is to say-
"agent" (代理人), when used in relation to the Crown, includes an independent contractor employed by the Crown;
"civil proceedings" (民事法律程序) includes proceedings in the Supreme Court or the District Court for the
recovery of fines or penalties, but does not include proceedings of a nature such as in England are taken on the
Crown side of the Queen's Bench Division of Her Majesty's High Court of Justice;
"officer" (人員), in relation to the Crown, includes any servant of the Crown;
"order" (命令) includes a judgment, decree, rule, award or declaration;
"prescribed" (訂明) means prescribed by rules of court;
"proceedings against the Crown" (針對官成提出的法律程序) includes a claim by way of set-off or counterclaim
raised in proceedings by the Crown;
"ship" (船舶) includes every description of vessel used in navigation not propelled by oars;
"rules of court" (法院規則) means rules made by the authority having for the time being power to make rules and
orders regulating the practice and procedure of the Supreme Court or the District Court, as the case may be;
"statutory duty" (法定責任) means any duty imposed by or under any Act of Parliament or Ordinance.
(3) Any reference in this Ordinance to Her Majesty in Her private capacity shall be construed as including a
reference to Her Majesty in right of Her Duchy of Lancaster.
(4) Any reference in Part IV or V of this Ordinance to civil proceedings by or against the Crown, or to civil
proceedings to which the Crown is a party, shall be construed as including a reference to civil proceedings to which
the Secretary for Justice, or any Government department, or any officer of the Crown as such, is a party:
Provided that the Crown shall not for the purposes of Parts IV and V of this Ordinance be deemed to be a party
to any proceedings by reason only that they are brought by the Secretary for Justice upon the relation of some other
person. (Amended L.N. 362 of 1997)
(5) References in this Ordinance to any enactment shall be construed as references to that enactment as
amended by or under any enactment, including this Ordinance.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 38 U.K.]
Cap 300 - CROWN PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE 2
Part: II SUBSTANTIVE LAW 30/06/1997
Section: 3 Right to sue the Crown 30/06/1997
Where any person has a claim against the Crown after the commencement of this Ordinance and, if this
Ordinance had not been passed, the claim might have been enforced, subject to the consent of the Governor, under the
rules of the Supreme Court, or might have been enforced by the proceedings provided by any statute ceasing to have
effect in the Colony by virtue of this Ordinance, or by any enactment repealed by this Ordinance, then, subject to the
provisions of this Ordinance, the claim may be enforced as of right, and without the consent of the Governor, by
proceedings taken against the Crown for that purpose in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 1 U.K.]
Section: 4 Liability of the Crown in tort 30/06/1997
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, the Crown shall be subject to all those liabilities in tort to
which, if it were a private person of full age and capacity, it would be subject-
(a) in respect of torts committed by its servants or agents;
(b) in respect of any breach of those duties which a person owes to his servants or agents at common law
by reason of being their employer; and
(c) in respect of any breach of the duties attaching at common law to the ownership, occupation,
possession or control of property:
Provided that no proceedings shall lie against the Crown by virtue of paragraph (a) in respect of any act or
omission of a servant or agent of the Crown unless the act or omission would apart from the provisions of this
Ordinance have given rise to a cause of action in tort against that servant or agent or his estate.
(2) Where the Crown is bound by a statutory duty which is binding also upon persons other than the Crown and
its officers, then, subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, the Crown shall, in respect of a failure to comply with
that duty, be subject to all those liabilities in tort (if any) to which it would be subject if it were a private person of full
age and capacity.
(3) Where any functions are conferred or imposed upon an officer of the Crown as such either by any rule of
the common law or by enactment or statute, and that officer commits a tort while performing or purporting to perform
those functions, the liabilities of the Crown in respect of the tort shall be such as they would have been if those
functions had been conferred or imposed solely by virtue of instructions lawfully given by the Crown.
(4) Any enactment which negatives or limits the amount of the liability of any Government department or
officer of the Crown in respect of any tort committed by that department or officer shall, in the case of proceedings
against the Crown under this section in respect of a tort committed by that department or officer, apply in relation to
the Crown as it would have applied in relation to that department or officer if the proceedings against the Crown had
been proceedings against that department or officer.
(5) No proceedings shall lie against the Crown by virtue of this section in respect of anything done or omitted
to be done by any person while discharging or purporting to discharge any responsibilities of a judicial nature vested
in him, or any responsibilities which he has in connection with the execution of judicial process.
(6) (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, no liability shall be imposed thereby upon the Crown in
respect of any ship, dock or harbour owned by the Crown.
(b) This subsection shall continue in force until a day to be appointed by the Governor by Proclamation in
the Gazette and shall then expire.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 2 U.K.]
Section: 5 Provisions as to industrial property 30/06/1997
(1) Where after the commencement of this Ordinance any servant or agent of the Crown infringes a patent, or
infringes a registered trade mark, or infringes any copyright, or infringes any registered design, and the infringement is
committed with the authority of the Crown, then, subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, civil proceedings in
respect of this infringement shall lie against the Crown.
(2) Nothing in subsection (1) or in any other provision of this Ordinance shall affect the rights of the Crown
Cap 300 - CROWN PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE 3
under sections 36 to 40 of the Registered Designs Ordinance (Cap 522). (Amended 25 of 1979 s. 12; 52 of 1997 s.
162)
(3) Save where it is expressly provided by this section, no proceedings shall lie against the Crown by virtue of
this Ordinance in respect of the infringement of a patent, in respect of the infringement of a registered trade mark, or
in respect of the infringement of any such copyright or registered design as is mentioned in subsection (1) of this
section.
(Amended 64 of 1997 s. 94)
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 3 U.K.]
Section: 6 Application of law as to indemnity, contribution, joint and
several tortfeasors, and contributory negligence
30/06/1997
(1) Where the Crown is subject to any liability by virtue of this part of this Ordinance, the law relating to
indemnity and contribution shall be enforceable by or against the Crown in respect of liability to which it is so subject
as if the Crown were a private person of full age and capacity.
(2) (Repealed 77 of 1984 s. 10)
(3) Without prejudice to the general effect of section 4 of this Ordinance, section 21 of the Law Amendment
and Reform (Consolidation) Ordinance (Cap 23) (which amends the law relating to contributory negligence) shall bind
the Crown.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 4 U.K.]
Section: 7 Liability in connection with postal packets 30/06/1997
(1) Subject as hereinafter provided, no proceedings in tort shall lie against the Crown for anything done or
omitted to be done in relation to a postal packet by any person while employed as a servant or agent of the Crown; nor
shall any officer of the Crown be subject, except at the suit of the Crown, to any civil liability for any of the matters
aforesaid.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 7 of the Post Office Ordinance (Cap 98), proceedings shall lie
against the Crown under this subsection in respect of loss of or damage to a registered inland postal packet in so far as
the loss or damage is due to any wrongful act done or any neglect or default committed by a person employed as a
servant or agent of the Crown while performing or purporting to perform his functions as such in relation to the
receipt, carriage, delivery or other dealing with the packet:
Provided that-
(a) no proceedings shall lie under this subsection in respect of any postal packet registered before the
commencement of this Ordinance;
(b) the amount recoverable in any proceedings under this subsection shall not exceed the market value of
the packet in question (excluding the market value of any message or information which it bears) at the
time when the cause of action arises;
(c) the amount recoverable in any such proceedings shall not in any event exceed the maximum amount
which, under the Post Office Regulations (Cap 98 sub. leg. A), is available for compensating the
persons aggrieved having regard to the fee paid in respect of the registration of the packet; and
(d) the Crown shall not be liable under this subsection in respect of any packet unless such conditions as
are prescribed by the Post Office Regulations (Cap 98 sub. leg. A) in relation to registered inland
postal packets have been complied with in relation to that packet.
For the purposes of any proceedings under this subsection it shall be presumed, until the contrary is shown on
behalf of the Crown, that the loss of or damage to the packet was due to some wrongful act done, or some neglect or
default committed, by a person employed as a servant or agent of the Crown while performing or purporting to
perform his functions as such in relation to the receipt, carriage, delivery or other dealing with the packet.
(3) No relief shall be available under subsection (2) except upon a claim by the sender or the addressee of the
packet in question; and the sender or addressee of the packet shall be entitled to claim any relief available under the
said subsection in respect of the packet, whether or not he is the person damnified by the injury complained of, and to
give a good discharge in respect of all claims in respect of the packet under the said subsection:
Provided that where the court is satisfied, upon an application by any person who is not the sender or addressee
of the packet, that the sender and the addressee are unable or unwilling to enforce their remedies in respect of the
packet under the said subsection, the court may, upon such terms as to security for costs and otherwise as the court
Cap 300 - CROWN PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE 4
thinks just, allow that other person to bring proceedings under the said subsection in the name of the sender or the
addressee of the packet.
Any reference in this subsection to the sender or addressee of the packet includes a reference to his personal
representative.
(4) Where by virtue of subsection (3) any person recovers any money or property which, apart from that
subsection, would have been recoverable by some other person, the money or property so recovered shall be held on
trust for that person.
(5) Post Office Regulations (Cap 98 sub. leg. A) may be made for prescribing the conditions to be observed for
the purposes of this section in relation to registered inland postal packets.
(6) In this section-
"postal packet" (郵包) has, subject as hereinafter provided, the same meaning as in the Post Office Ordinance (Cap
98);
"Post Office Regulations" (《郵政署規例》) has the same meaning as in the Post Office Ordinance (Cap 98);
"inland postal packet" (本地郵包) means a postal packet which is posted in Hong Kong for delivery in Hong Kong to
the person to whom it is addressed;
"sender" (寄件人), in relation to a postal packet, has such meaning as may be assigned to it by Post Office
Regulations (Cap 98 sub. leg. A).
(7) Any reference in this section to a postal packet shall be construed as including a reference to the contents of
such a packet.
[cf. 1947 c.44 s. 9 U.K.]
Section: 8 Provisions relating to the armed forces L.N. 362 of 1997 01/07/1997
(1) Nothing done or omitted to be done by a member of the armed forces of the Crown while on duty as such
shall subject either him or the Crown to liability in tort for causing the death of another person, or for causing personal
injury to another person, in so far as the death or personal injury is due to anything suffered by that other person while
he is a member of the armed forces of the Crown if-
(a) at the time when that thing is suffered by that other person, he is either on duty as a member of the
armed forces of the Crown or is, though not on duty as such, on any land, premises, ship, aircraft or
vehicle for the time being used for the purposes of the armed forces of the Crown; and
(b) (i) where that other person is a member of the armed forces of the Crown in right of Her Majesty's
Government in the United Kingdom, the Minister of Pensions certifies that his suffering that
thing has been or will be treated as attributable to service for the purposes of entitlement to an
award under the Royal Warrant, Order in Council or Order of Her Majesty relating to the
disablement or death of members of the force of which he is a member;
(ii) where that other person is a member of the armed forces of the Crown in right of Her Majesty's
Government in the Colony, the Governor in Council certifies that his suffering that thing has
been or will be treated as attributable to service for the purposes of entitlement to a gratuity or
pension under any enactment relating to the disablement or death of members of the force of
which he is a member:
Provided that this subsection shall not exempt a member of the said forces from liability in tort in any case in
which the court is satisfied that the act or omission was not connected with the execution of his duties as a member of
those forces.
(2) No proceedings in tort shall lie against the Crown for death or personal injury due to anything suffered by a
member of the armed forces of the Crown if-
(a) that thing is suffered by him in consequence of the nature or condition of any such land, premises,
ship, aircraft or vehicle as aforesaid, or in consequence of the nature or condition of any equipment or
supplies used for the purposes of those forces; and
(b) (i) in the case of a member of the armed forces of the Crown in right of Her Majesty's Government
in the United Kingdom, the Minister of Pensions certifies as mentioned in subsection (1);
(ii) in the case of a member of the armed forces of the Crown in right of Her Majesty's Government
in the Colony, the Governor in Council certifies as mentioned in subsection (1);
nor shall any act or omission of an officer of the Crown subject him to liability in tort for death or personal injury, in
so far as the death or personal injury is due to anything suffered by a member of the armed forces of the Crown being
Cap 300 - CROWN PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE 5
a thing as to which the conditions aforesaid are satisfied.
(3) The Chief Secretary for Administration, if satisfied that it is the fact- (Amended L.N. 226 of 1976; L.N.
242 of 1994; L.N. 362 of 1997)
(a) that a person was or was not on any particular occasion on duty as a member of the armed forces of the
Crown in right of Her Majesty's Government in the Colony; or
(b) that at any particular time any land, premises, ship, aircraft, vehicle, equipment or supplies was or was
not, or were or were not, used for the purposes of the said forces,
may issue a certificate certifying that to be the fact; and any such certificate shall, for the purposes of this section, be
conclusive as to the fact which it certifies. [cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 10 U.K.]
(4) A certificate of The Ministry of Defence or a Secretary of State-
(a) that a person was or was not on any particular occasion on duty as a member of the armed forces of the
Crown in right of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom; or
(b) that at any particular time any land, premises, ship, aircraft, vehicle, equipment or supplies was or was
not, or were or were not, used for the purposes of the said forces,
shall, for the purposes of this section, be conclusive as to the fact which it certifies.
(5) For the purposes of this section, "member of the armed forces of the Crown" (官方武裝部隊成員), unless
the context otherwise requires, means a member of the armed forces of the Crown in right of Her Majesty's
Government in the Colony or in right of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.
(6) Nothing in this section shall be deemed by implication or otherwise to confer any right of action against the
Crown in right of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.
Section: 9 Saving in respect of acts done under prerogative and
statutory powers
30/06/1997
(1) Nothing in Part II of this Ordinance shall extinguish or abridge any powers or authorities which, if this
Ordinance had not been passed, would have been exercisable by virtue of the prerogative of the Crown or any powers
or authorities conferred on the Crown or the Governor by any statute or enactment, and, in particular, nothing in the
said Part II shall extinguish or abridge any powers or authorities exercisable by the Crown, whether in time of peace or
of war, for the purpose of the defence of the realm or of training, or maintaining the efficiency of, any of the armed
forces of the Crown in right of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom or in the Colony.
(2) Where in any proceedings under this Ordinance it is material to determine whether anything was properly
done or omitted to be done in the exercise of the prerogative of the Crown, the Governor may, if satisfied that the act
or omission was necessary for any such purpose as is mentioned in subsection (1), issue a certificate to the effect that
the act or omission was necessary for that purpose; and the certificate shall, in those proceedings, be conclusive as to
the matter so certified.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 11 U.K.]
Part: III JURISDICTION AND PROCEDURE 30/06/1997
Section: 10 Civil proceedings in the Supreme Court 30/06/1997
Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, all such civil proceedings by or against the Crown as are mentioned
in the First Schedule are hereby abolished, and all civil proceedings by or against the Crown in the Supreme Court
shall be instituted and proceeded with in accordance with rules of court.
In this section, "rules of court" (法院規則) means, in relation to any claim against the Crown in the Supreme
Court which falls within the jurisdiction of that court as a prize court, rules of court made under section 3 of the Prize
Courts Act 1894 (1894 c. 39 U.K.).
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 13 U.K.]
Section: 11 Civil proceedings in the District Court 30/06/1997
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, and to any enactment limiting the jurisdiction of the District
Court (whether by reference to the subject matter of the proceedings to be brought or the amount sought to be
Cap 300 - CROWN PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE 6
recovered in the proceedings or otherwise) any civil proceedings by or against the Crown may be instituted in the
District Court.
(2) Any proceedings by or against the Crown in the District Court shall be instituted and proceeded with in
accordance with rules of court.
(Amended 22 of 1962 s. 49)
Section: 12 Interpleader 30/06/1997
The Crown may obtain relief by way of interpleader proceedings, and may be made a party to such proceedings,
in the same manner in which a subject may obtain relief by way of such proceedings or be made a party thereto; and
all rules of court relating to interpleader proceedings shall, subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, have effect
accordingly.
[cf. 1947 c.44 s. 16 U.K.]
Section: 13 Parties to proceedings L.N. 362 of 1997 01/07/1997
(1) Civil proceedings by or against the Crown instituted under the provisions of this Ordinance shall be
instituted by or against the Secretary for Justice.
(2) No proceedings instituted in accordance with this Part of this Ordinance by or against the Secretary for
Justice shall abate or be affected by any change in the person holding the office of Secretary for Justice.
(Amended L.N. 362 of 1997)
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 17 U.K.]
Section: 14 Service of documents L.N. 362 of 1997 01/07/1997
All documents required to be served on the Crown for the purpose of or in connexion with any civil proceedings
by or against the Crown shall be served on the Secretary for Justice.
(Amended L.N. 362 of 1997)
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 18 U.K.]
Section: 15 Removal and transfer of proceedings L.N. 362 of 1997 01/07/1997
(1) If in a case where proceedings are instituted against the Crown in the District Court an application in that
behalf is made by the Crown to the Supreme Court, and there is produced to the court a certificate of the Secretary for
Justice to the effect that the proceedings may involve an important question of law, or may be decisive of other cases
arising out of the same matter, or are for other reasons more fit to be tried in the Supreme Court, the proceedings shall
be removed into the Supreme Court. (Amended L.N. 362 of 1997)
Where any proceedings have been removed into the Supreme Court on the production of such a certificate as
aforesaid, and it appears to the court by whom the proceedings are tried that the removal has occasioned additional
expense to the person by whom the proceedings are brought, the court may take account of the additional expense so
occasioned in exercising its powers in regard to the award of costs.
(2) Without prejudice to the rights of the Crown under subsection (1), all rules of law and enactments relating
to the removal or transfer of proceedings from the District Court to the Supreme Court, or the transfer of proceedings
from the Supreme Court to the District Court, shall apply in relation to proceedings against the Crown:
Provided that an order for the transfer to the District Court of any proceedings against the Crown in the Supreme
Court shall not be made without the consent of the Crown.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 20 U.K.]
Section: 16 Nature of relief 30/06/1997
(1) In any civil proceedings by or against the Crown the court shall, subject to the provisions of this Ordinance,
have power to make all such orders as it has power to make in proceedings between subjects, and otherwise to give
such appropriate relief as the case may require:
Provided that-
Cap 300 - CROWN PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE 7
(a) where in any proceedings against the Crown any such relief is sought as might in proceedings between
subjects be granted by way of injunction or specific performance, the court shall not grant an
injunction or make an order for specific performance, but may in lieu thereof make an order
declaratory of the rights of the parties; and
(b) in any proceedings against the Crown for the recovery of land or other property the court shall not
make an order for the recovery of the land or the delivery of the property, but may in lieu thereof make
an order declaring that the plaintiff is entitled as against the Crown to the land or property or to the
possession thereof.
(2) The court shall not in any civil proceedings grant any injunction or make any order against an officer of the
Crown if the effect of granting the injunction or making the order would be to give any relief against the Crown which
could not have been obtained in proceedings against the Crown.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 21 U.K.]
Section: 17 Costs in civil proceedings to which the Crown is a party L.N. 362 of 1997 01/07/1997
In any civil proceedings or arbitration to which the Crown is a party, the costs of and incidental to the
proceedings shall be awarded in the same manner and on the same principles as in cases between subjects, and the
court or arbitrator shall have power to make an order for the payment of costs by or to the Crown accordingly :
Provided that-
(a) in the case of proceedings to which by reason of any enactment or otherwise the Secretary for Justice
is authorized to be made a party, the court or arbitrator shall have regard to the nature of the
proceedings and the character and circumstances in which the Secretary for Justice appears, and may
in the exercise of its or his discretion order any other party to the proceedings to pay the costs of the
Secretary for Justice whatever may be the result of the proceedings; and (Amended L.N. 362 of 1997)
(b) nothing in this section shall affect the power of the court or arbitrator to order, or any enactment
providing for, the payment of costs out of any particular fund or property, or any enactment expressly
relieving any department or officer of the Crown of the liability to pay costs.
Section: 18 Appeals and stay of execution 30/06/1997
Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, all enactments and rules of court relating to appeals and stay of
execution shall, with any necessary modifications, apply to civil proceedings by or against the Crown as they apply to
proceedings between subjects.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 22 U.K.]
Section: 19 Scope of Part III L.N. 362 of 1997 01/07/1997
(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, any reference in this Part of this Ordinance to civil proceedings by
the Crown shall be construed as a reference to the following proceedings only-
(a) proceedings for the enforcement or vindication of any right or the obtaining of any relief which, if this
Ordinance had not been passed, might have been enforced or vindicated or obtained by any such
proceedings as are mentioned in paragraph 1 of the First Schedule;
(b) proceedings for the enforcement or vindication of any right or the obtaining of any relief which, if this
Ordinance had not been passed, might have been enforced or vindicated or obtained by an action at the
suit of any Government department or any officer of the Crown as such;
(c) all such proceedings as the Crown is entitled to bring by virtue of this Ordinance;
and the expression "civil proceedings by or against the Crown" (由官方提出或針對官方提出的民事法律程序)
shall be construed accordingly.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this section, any reference in this Part of this Ordinance to civil proceedings
against the Crown shall be construed as a reference to the following proceedings only-
(a) proceedings for the enforcement or vindication of any right or the obtaining of any relief which, if this
Ordinance had not been passed, might have been enforced or vindicated or obtained by any such
proceedings as are mentioned in paragraph 2 of the First Schedule;
(b) proceedings for the enforcement or vindication of any right or the obtaining of any relief which, if this
Cap 300 - CROWN PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE 8
Ordinance had not been passed, might have been enforced or vindicated or obtained by any action
against the Secretary for Justice, any Government department or any officer of the Crown as such;
(Amended L.N. 362 of 1997)
(c) all such proceedings as any person is entitled to bring against the Crown by virtue of this Ordinance;
and the expression "civil proceedings by or against the Crown" (由官方提出或針對官方提出的民事法律程序)
shall be construed accordingly.
(3) Notwithstanding anything in subsections (1) and (2), the provisions of this Part of this Ordinance shall not
have effect with respect to any of the following proceedings, that is to say-
(a) proceedings brought by the Secretary for Justice on the relation of some other person;
(b) proceedings by or against the Official Trustee;
(c) proceedings by the Secretary for Justice or other person under Order 120, rules 3 and 4 of the Rules of
the Supreme Court (Cap 4 sub. leg.). (Amended L.N. 117 of 1988; L.N. 282 of 1989; L.N. 162 of
1993; L.N. 362 of 1997)
Part: IV JUDGMENTS AND EXECUTION 30/06/1997
Section: 20 Interest on debts, damages and costs 30/06/1997
(1) The provisions of any law relating to the payment of interest on judgment debts in proceedings between
subjects shall apply to judgment debts due from or to the Crown.
(2) Where any costs are awarded to or against the Crown in the Supreme Court, interest shall be payable upon
those costs unless the court otherwise orders, and any interest so payable shall be at the same rate as that at which
interest is payable upon judgment debts due from or to the Crown.
(3) The provisions of any law empowering a Court of Record to award interest on debts and damages shall
apply to judgments given in the proceedings by and against the Crown.
(4) This section shall apply both in relation to proceedings pending at the commencement of this Ordinance and
in relation to proceedings instituted thereafter.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 24 U.K.]
Section: 21 Satisfaction of orders against the Crown L.N. 362 of 1997 01/07/1997
(1) Where in any civil proceedings by or against the Crown, or in any proceedings such as in England are taken
on the Crown side of the Queen's Bench Division of Her Majesty's High Court of Justice, or in connection with any
arbitration to which the Crown is a party, any order (including an order for costs) is made by any court in favour of
any person against the Crown or against a Government department or against an officer of the Crown as such, the
proper officer of the court shall, on an application in that behalf made by or on behalf of that person at any time after
the expiration of twenty-one days from the date of the order or, in case the order provides for the payment of costs and
the costs require to be taxed, at any time after the costs have been taxed, whichever is the later, issue to that person a
certificate in the prescribed form containing particulars of the order:
Provided that, if the court so directs, a separate certificate shall be issued with respect to the costs (if any)
ordered to be paid to the applicant.
(2) A copy of any certificate issued under this section may be served by the person in whose favour the order is
made upon the Secretary for Justice. (Amended L.N. 362 of 1997)
(3) If the order provides for the payment of any money by way of damages or otherwise, or of any costs, the
certificate shall state the amount so payable, and the Director of Accounting Services shall, subject as hereinafter
provided, pay to the person entitled or to his solicitor the amount appearing by the certificate to be due to him together
with the interest, if any, lawfully due thereon: (Amended L.N. 16 of 1977; L.N. 453 of 1993)
Provided that the court by which any such order as aforesaid is made or any court to which an appeal against the
order lies may direct that, pending an appeal or otherwise, payment of the whole of any amount so payable or any part
thereof, shall be suspended, and if the certificate has not been issued may order any such directions to be inserted
therein.
(4) Save as aforesaid no execution or attachment or process in the nature thereof shall be issued out of any
court for enforcing payment by the Crown of any such money or costs as aforesaid, and no person shall be
Cap 300 - CROWN PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE 9
individually liable under any order for the payment by the Crown, or any Government department, or any officer of
the Crown as such, of any such money or costs.
(5) This section shall apply both in relation to proceedings pending at the commencement of this Ordinance and
in relation to proceedings instituted thereafter.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 25 U.K.]
Section: 22 Execution by the Crown 30/06/1997
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, any order made in favour of the Crown against any person in
any civil proceedings to which the Crown is a party may be enforced in the same manner as an order made in an action
between subjects and not otherwise.
(2) Nothing in this section shall affect any procedure which immediately before the commencement of this
Ordinance was available for enforcing an order made in favour of the Crown in proceedings brought by the Crown for
the recovery of any fine or penalty, or the forfeiture or condemnation of any goods, or the forfeiture of any ship or any
share in a ship.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 26 U.K.]
Section: 23 Attachment of moneys payable by the Crown 30/06/1997
(1) Where any money is payable by the Crown to some person who, under any order of any court, is liable to
pay any money to any other person, and that other person would, if the money so payable by the Crown were money
payable by a subject, be entitled under rules of court to obtain an order for the attachment thereof as a debt due or
accruing due, or an order for the appointment of a sequestrator or receiver to receive the money on his behalf, the
Supreme Court may, subject to the provisions of this Ordinance and in accordance with rules of court, make an order
restraining the first-mentioned person from receiving that money and directing payment thereof to that other person, or
to the sequestrator or receiver:
Provided that no such order shall be made in respect of-
(a) any wages or salary payable to any officer of the Crown as such;
(b) any money which is subject to the provisions of any enactment prohibiting or restricting assignment or
charging or taking in execution.
(2) The provisions of subsection (1) shall, so far as they relate to forms of relief falling within the jurisdiction
of the District Court, have effect in relation to the District Court as they have effect in relation to the Supreme Court.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 27 U.K.]
Part: V MISCELLANEOUS AND SUPPLEMENTAL 30/06/1997
Section: 24 Discovery 30/06/1997
(1) Subject to and in accordance with rules of court-
(a) in any civil proceedings in the Supreme Court or the District Court to which the Crown is a party, the
Crown may be required by the court to make discovery of documents and produce documents for
inspection; and
(b) in any such proceedings as aforesaid, the Crown may be required by the court to answer
interrogatories:
Provided that this section shall be without prejudice to any rule of law which authorizes or requires the
withholding of any document or the refusal to answer any question on the ground that the disclosure of the document
or the answering of the question would be injurious to the public interest.
Any order of the court made under the powers conferred by paragraph (b) shall direct by what officer of the
Crown the interrogatories are to be answered.
(2) Without prejudice to the proviso to subsection (1), any rules made for the purposes of this section shall be
such as to secure that the existence of a document will not be disclosed if, in the opinion of the Governor, it would be
injurious to the public interest to disclose the existence thereof.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 28 U.K.]
Cap 300 - CROWN PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE 10
Section: 25 Exclusion of proceedings in rem against the Crown 30/06/1997
(1) Nothing in this Ordinance shall authorize proceedings in rem in respect of any claim against the Crown, or
the arrest, detention or sale of any ships or aircraft belonging to Her Majesty or the Government, or of any cargo or
other property belonging to the Crown, or give to any person any lien on any such ship, aircraft, cargo or other
property.
(2) Where proceedings in rem have been instituted in the Supreme Court or the District Court against any such
ship, aircraft, cargo or other property, the court may, if satisfied, either on an application by the plaintiff for an order
under this subsection or an application by the Crown to set aside the proceedings, that the proceedings were so
instituted by the plaintiff in the reasonable belief that the ship, aircraft, cargo or other property did not belong to the
Crown, order that the proceedings shall be treated as if they were in personam duly instituted against the Crown in
accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance, or duly instituted against any other person whom the court regards
as the proper person to be sued in the circumstances, and that the proceedings shall continue accordingly.
Any such order may be made upon such terms, if any, as the court thinks just; and where the court makes any
such order it may make such consequential orders as the court thinks expedient.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 29 U.K.]
Section: 26 Limitation of actions 30/06/1997
Nothing in this Ordinance shall prejudice the right of the Crown to rely upon the law relating to the limitation of
time for bringing proceedings against public authorities.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 30 U.K.]
Section: 27 Application to the Crown of certain statutory provisions 30/06/1997
(1) This Ordinance shall not prejudice the right of the Crown to take advantage of the provisions of a statute or
enactment although not named therein; and it is hereby declared that in any civil proceedings against the Crown the
provisions of any statute or enactment which could, if the proceedings were between subjects, be relied upon by the
defendant as a defence to the proceedings, whether in whole or in part, or otherwise, may, subject to any express
provision to the contrary, be so relied upon by the Crown.
(2) Order 44A, rule 1 of the Rules of the Supreme Court (Cap 4 sub. leg) (which empowers the court in certain
circumstances to order the defendant about to leave the jurisdiction of the court to furnish security) shall, with any
necessary modifications, apply to civil proceedings in the Supreme Court by the Crown.
Section: 28 No abatement on demise of Crown 30/06/1997
No claim by or against the Crown, and no proceedings for the enforcement of any such claim, shall abate or be
affected by the demise of the Crown.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 32 U.K.]
Section: 29 Abolition of certain writs 30/06/1997
No writ of extent or of diem clausit extremum shall issue after the commencement of this Ordinance.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 33 U.K.]
Section: 30 Rules of court L.N. 362 of 1997 01/07/1997
(1) Any power to make rules of court shall include power to make rules for the purpose of giving effect to the
provisions of this Ordinance, and any such rules may contain provisions to have effect in relation to any proceedings
by or against the Crown in substitution for or by way of addition to any of the provisions of the rules applying to
proceedings between subjects.
(2) Provision shall be made by rules of court with respect to the following matters-
(a) for providing for service of process, or notice thereof, in the case of proceedings by the Crown against
Cap 300 - CROWN PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE 11
persons, whether Commonwealth citizens or not, who are not resident in Hong Kong; (Amended 80 of
1982 s. 2)
(b) for securing that where any civil proceedings are brought against the Crown in accordance with the
provisions of this Ordinance the plaintiff shall, before the Crown is required to take any step in the
proceedings, provide the Crown with such information as the Crown may reasonably require as to the
circumstances in which it is alleged that the liability of the Crown has arisen and as to the departments
and officers of the Government concerned;
(c) for providing that in the case of proceedings against the Crown the plaintiff shall not enter judgment
against the Crown in default of appearance or pleading without the leave of the court to be obtained on
an application of which notice has been given to the Crown;
(d) for excepting proceedings brought against the Crown from the operation of any rule of court providing
for summary judgment without trial, and for enabling any such proceedings to be put in proper cases
into any special list which may be kept for the trial of short causes in which leave to defend is given
under any such rule of court as aforesaid;
(e) for authorizing the Crown to deliver interrogatories without the leave of a court in any proceedings for
the enforcement of any right for the enforcement of which proceedings by way of English information
might have been taken if this Ordinance had not been passed, so, however, that the Crown shall not be
entitled to deliver any third or subsequent interrogatories without the leave of the court;
(f) for enabling evidence to be taken on commission in proceedings by or against the Crown;
(g) for providing-
(i) that a person shall not be entitled to avail himself of any set-off or counterclaim in any
proceedings by the Crown for the recovery of taxes, duties or penalties, or to avail himself in
proceedings of any other nature by the Crown of any set-off or counterclaim arising out of a right
or claim to repayment in respect of any taxes, or penalties;
(ii) that the Crown, when sued in the name of the Secretary for Justice, shall not be entitled to avail
itself of any set-off or counterclaim without the leave of the court. (Amended L.N. 362 of 1997)
(3) Provision may be made by rules of court for regulating any appeals to the Supreme Court, whether by way
of case stated or otherwise, under enactments relating to the revenue, and any rules made under this subsection may
revoke any enactments or rules in force immediately before the commencement of this Ordinance so far as they
regulate any such appeals, and may make provision for any matters for which provision was made by any enactments
or rules so in force.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 35 U.K.]
Section: 31 Pending proceedings 30/06/1997
Save as otherwise expressly provided, the provisions of this Ordinance shall not affect proceedings by or against
the Crown which have been instituted before the commencement of this Ordinance; and for the purpose of this section
proceedings against the Crown shall be deemed to have been so instituted if a statement of claim with respect to the
matter in question has been filed and a sealed copy thereof has been served upon the Attorney General before the
commencement of this Ordinance.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 36 U.K.]
Section: 32 Financial provisions 30/06/1997
(1) Any expenditure incurred by or on behalf of the Crown in right of Her Majesty's Government in the Colony
by reason of the passing of this Ordinance shall be defrayed out of moneys provided by the Legislative Council.
(2) Any sums payable to the Crown by reason of the passing of this Ordinance shall be paid into the Treasury.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 37 U.K.]
Section: 33 Statutes no longer effective 30/06/1997
The statutes set out in the Second Schedule to this Ordinance shall no longer have effect in the Colony to the
extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 39 U.K.]
Cap 300 - CROWN PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE 12
Section: 34 Saving L.N. 362 of 1997 01/07/1997
(1) Nothing in this Ordinance shall apply to proceedings by or against, or authorize proceedings in tort to be
brought against, Her Majesty in Her private capacity.
(2) Except as therein otherwise expressly provided, nothing in this Ordinance shall-
(a) affect the law relating to prize salvage, or apply to proceedings in causes or matters within the
jurisdiction of any court as a prize court or to any criminal proceedings; or
(b) authorize proceedings to be taken against the Crown under or in accordance with the provisions of this
Ordinance in respect of any alleged liability of the Crown arising otherwise than in respect of Her
Majesty's Government in the Colony, or affect proceedings against the Crown in respect of any such
alleged liability as aforesaid; or
(c) authorize proceedings to be taken against the Crown under or in accordance with the provisions of this
Ordinance in respect of any act, neglect, or default of any officer or agent of the Crown, unless-
(i) such officer has been directly or indirectly appointed by the Crown and was at the material time
paid in respect of his duties as an officer of the Crown wholly out of the revenues of the Colony
or any other fund certified by the Governor for the purposes of this paragraph or was at the
material time holding an office in respect of which the Governor certifies that the holder thereof
would normally be so paid;
(ii) such agent was at the material time acting for and on behalf of the Government; or
(d) affect any proceedings by the Crown otherwise than in right of Her Majesty's Government in the
Colony; or
(e) subject the Crown to any greater liabilities in respect of the acts or omissions of any independent
contractor employed by the Crown than those to which the Crown would be subject in respect of such
acts or omissions if it were a private person; or
(f) affect any rules of evidence or any presumption relating to the extent to which the Crown is bound by
any statute or enactment; or
(g) affect any right of the Crown to demand a trial at bar or to control or otherwise intervene in
proceedings affecting its rights, property or profits; or
(h) affect any right of the Secretary for Justice, any Government department or any officer of the Crown as
such to institute proceedings under or in accordance with the provisions of any other enactment;
(Amended L.N. 362 of 1997)
and, without prejudice to the general effect of the foregoing provisions, Part IV of this Ordinance shall not apply to the
Crown except in right of Her Majesty's Government in the Colony.
(3) A certificate of the Chief Secretary for Administration- (Amended L.N. 226 of 1976; L.N. 242 of 1994;
L.N. 362 of 1997)
(a) to the effect that any alleged liability of the Crown arises otherwise than in respect of Her Majesty's
Government in the Colony;
(b) to the effect that any proceedings by the Crown are proceedings otherwise than in right of Her
Majesty's Government in the Colony,
shall, for the purposes of this Ordinance, be conclusive as to the matter so certified.
(4) Where any property vests in the Crown by virtue of any rule of law which operates independently of the
acts or the intentions of the Crown, the Crown shall not by virtue of this Ordinance be subject to any liabilities in tort
by reason only of the property being so vested; but the provisions of this subsection shall be without prejudice to the
liabilities of the Crown under this Ordinance in respect of any period after the Crown or any person acting for the
Crown has in fact taken possession or control of any such property, or entered into occupation thereof.
(5) This Ordinance shall not operate to limit the discretion of the court to grant relief by way of mandamus in
cases in which such relief might have been granted before the commencement of this Ordinance, notwithstanding that
by reason of the provisions of this Ordinance some other and further remedy is available.
[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 40 U.K.]
Schedule: 1 PROCEEDINGS ABOLISHED BY THIS ORDINANCE 30/06/1997
[section 10]
1. (1) Latin informations and English informations.
Cap 300 - CROWN PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE 13
(2) Writs of capias ad respondendum, writs of subpoena ad respondendum, and writs of appraisement.
(3) Writs of scire facias.
(4) Proceedings for the determination of any issue upon a writ of extent or of diem clausit extremum.
2. (1) Proceedings by way of petition of right under section 52 of the Naval Prize Act 1864 (1864 c. 25
U.K.).
(2) Proceedings against Her Majesty by way of monstrans de droit.
Schedule: 2 STATUTES NO LONGER HAVING EFFECT IN THE
COLONY
30/06/1997
[section 33]
Session and Chapter Title or Short title Extent of Repeal
1297 c. 18 U.K.
1785 c. 35 U.K.
1817 c. 117 U.K.
1842 c. 86 U.K.
The King's Tenant his Debtor
The Crown Debtors Act 1785
The Extents in Aid Act 1817
The Exchequer Court Act 1842
The whole Act
The whole Act
The whole Act
Section 9
