Hong Kong Case Law: Decisions & Judgments

Topic

Service abroad

Legal area

Court

23 Jul 2025

DP WORLD DJIBOUTI FZCO AND OTHERS v. CHINA MERCHANTS PORT HOLDINGS CO LTD

Citation

[2025] HKCFI 3208
Court

Court of First Instance
Case number

HCA1951/2018

Leave to adduce Michou 9 is granted because, notwithstanding the lateness, the Court must have a complete and accurate evidential picture to determine whether the Djibouti Dissolution Order should be recognised; the plaintiffs explained delay and offered defendant opportunity to reply; pragmatic case management and Order 1A r 2(2) RHC justify admission with tightly limited further evidence and a fixed reply deadline; any credibility or admissibility disputes (including lack of expert declaration) can be resolved at the substantive hearing.
20 Nov 2024

史超 v. 均富有限公司 AND ANOTHER

Citation

[2024] HKDC 1909
Court

District Court
Case number

DCCJ5015/2017

The application was allowed because the plaintiff failed to prove it would be unjust to apply the default rule in O.22 r.23: the sanctioned payment was served in time, the plaintiff and his adviser had sufficient information and time to consider it, the plaintiff gave no evidence and did not contest the application, and the plaintiff's conduct (including withholding the sale of the premises) justified awarding costs from 30 August 2023 on an indemnity basis, imposing enhanced interest at 2% above judgment rate on costs and releasing the sanctioned payment to the 2nd defendant.
12 Dec 2023

MASTERWORK GROUP CO LTD v. RIECKERMANN INTERNATIONAL LTD AND OTHERS

Citation

[2023] HKCFI 3266
Court

Court of First Instance
Case number

HCA904/2021

The plaintiff was entitled to judgment in default on the pleaded causes of action; declarations and equitable relief were necessary to protect proprietary rights despite the default; service on the defendants was valid; the existing two injunctions should be continued for eight months to prevent dissipation pending enforcement; and the defendants must pay the plaintiff's costs on a joint and several basis to be taxed if not agreed.
11 Sept 2020

THE JOINT AND SEVERAL PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATORS OF C LTD v. X LTD AND OTHERS

Citation

[2020] HKCFI 2446
Court

Court of First Instance
Case number

HCCW126/2018

The liquidators demonstrated a proper and adequate reason under s286B for the disclosure sought and the court will grant the order in the terms of the summons against the 1st Respondent.
20 Feb 2019

HAITONG INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES CO LTD v. JIN YONG INVESTMENTS LTD AND OTHERS

Citation

[2019] HKCFI 460
Court

Court of First Instance
Case number

HCA2025/2016

Although procedural service in the PRC complied with Order 11, the evidence showed service was taken by an employee at D3's residence and there was no evidence the documents reached D3 who was under residential surveillance and effectively unable to receive notice; applying the principle that judgment cannot stand where the defendant had no fair opportunity to be heard (Fok Chun Hung), the default judgment was set aside unconditionally and no payment-into-court condition was imposed.
9 Feb 2018

BARCLAY PHARMACEUTICALS LTD v. ANTOINE MEKNI AND OTHERS

Citation

[2018] HKCFI 436
Court

Court of First Instance
Case number

HCMP2094/2017

Given the existence of final English judgment, clear evidence that the 6th defendant holds assets in Hong Kong, strong prima facie evidence of breaches of Hong Kong freezing injunctions and a real risk of dissipation, together with the absence of any substantial defence and the plaintiff's undertaking as to damages, the balance of convenience required appointment of receivers over the 6th defendant to protect the assets and ensure effectiveness of the freezing orders.
28 Oct 2016

AXA CHINA REGION INSURANCE CO LTD v. LEONG FONG CHENG

Citation

AXA CHINA REGION INSURANCE CO LTD v. LEONG FONG CHENG
Court

Court of Appeal
Case number

CACV113/2016

The court waived the appellant's non‑compliance with the requirement to provide a Hong Kong address and ordered substituted service by sending documents to the appellant's local fax number in Thailand; the appellant was ordered to file and serve an amended notice of appeal within two months failing which the appeal will be struck out and costs awarded to the plaintiff; the court granted the plaintiff's application for security for costs in the terms of the summons (with a two‑month period for payment and an interim stay pending payment) and ordered the defendant to pay the plaintiff's costs o…
12 Apr 2012

PACIFIC ELECTRIC WIRE & CABLE CO LTD v. TEXAN MANAGEMENT LTD AND OTHERS

Citation

PACIFIC ELECTRIC WIRE & CABLE CO LTD v. TEXAN MANAGEMENT LTD AND OTHERS
Court

Court of First Instance
Case number

HCCL16/2009

The court found on the balance of the evidence that the Takeover Arrangement was fabricated, that Hu retained beneficial ownership and used nominees (Top Selection, Willi, Blinco BVI, Patagonia and corporate layers) to conceal that ownership, and therefore those companies and persons hold shares and assets (PacMOS shares, South Horizons and Shouson Hill properties) on constructive trust for PEWC and must transfer and account, with limitation defences excluded by the fraud exception.
20 Feb 1987

RE GRANDEUR CONSTRUCTION CO

Citation

RE GRANDEUR CONSTRUCTION CO
Court

Court of First Instance
Case number

HCB555/1986

Given evidence that the debtor left Hong Kong for Canada and no practical means existed to serve him personally, and having found the petitioner took all reasonable steps to locate him, substituted service by advertisement in specified Canadian newspapers was a proper exercise of discretion and supported making the receiving order; Master Woolley’s orders for substituted service were upheld and the receiving order was validly made.