Interpretation Registrar to Specify Forms References to Parent Company Forming Incorporated Company Requirements to Memorandum Powers of a Company Power Limited by Memorandum Exclusion of Deemed Notice Signature of Memorandum Memorandum Alteration Alteration of Objects Regulations for Companies Regulations for Unlimited Company Adoption and Application of Table A Printing and Signature of Articles Alteration of Articles Statutory Forms of M & AA Registration of M & AA Effect of Registration Power of Company to Hold Lands Certificate of Incorporation Unlimited Companies Reregistration Company Name Restrictions Power to Dispense Change of Name Company's Misleading Name Specification of Names Index of Company Names Effect of Memorandum & Articles Companies Limited by Guarantee Alterations in Memorandum & Articles Power to Alter Conditions Copies of Memorandum & Articles Issued Copies of Memorandum Definition of Member Membership of Holding Company Meaning of Private Company Private Company Privileges Form of Contracts Pre-incorporation Contracts Bills of Exchange & Promissory Notes Execution of Deeds Abroad Power to Have Official Seal Authentication of Documents Dating of Prospectus Specific Requirements Exemption from Compliance Advertisements on Prospectuses Publishing Guildelines by Commission Expert's Consent Registration of Prospectus One Document Prospectus More Than One Document Prospectus Submission of Certified Copies Civil liability for Misstatements Criminal Liability for Misstatements Right to Damages and Compensation Offer of Shares or Debentures Interpretation of Provisions Prohibition of Allotment: Subscription Prohibition of Allotment: Statement Effect of Irregular Allotment Applications for Shares & Debentures Allotment of Shares and Debentures Return as to Allotments Power to Pay Commissions Financial assistance prohibited Definitions Transactions not prohibited by 47A Restriction for Listed Companies Section 47A for Unlisted Companies Statement Under Section 47E Special Resolution Under Section 47E Financial assistance under section 47E Offering Shares to the Public Premiums on Issue of Shares Merger Relief Relief of Group Reconstructions Provisions to Sections 48C and 48D Relief from Section 48B Power to Issue Redeemable Shares Financing of Redemption Company Power to Purchase Shares Requirements for Listed Company Payments Apart From Purchase Price Authority for Purchase Authority for Purchase Contract Assignment of Right to Purchase Shares Disclosure of Share Purchase Capital Redemption Reserve Power to Redeem Shares out of Capital Availability of Profits Conditions for Payment out of Capital Procedure for Special Resolution Publicity for Proposed Payment Objections by Company's Members Powers of Court on Application Effect of Company's Failure to Redeem Power to Modify Certain Sections Transitional Cases: Sections 49 to 49S Definitions for Sections 49 to 49R Power to Issue Shares at a Discount Arrangement for Amounts Paid on Shares Reserve Liability of Limited Company Power to Alter Share Capital Share Capital Consolidation Notice of Increase of Capital Reserve Share Capital on Re-registration Power of Company to Pay Interest Non Voting Shares Approval for Allotment of Shares Validation of Shares Improperly Issued Resolution for Share Capital Reduction Application for Confirming Order Order Confirming Reduction Registration of Order Registration of Special Resolution Liability of Members Concealing Name of Creditor Variation of rights Rights of Shareholders Documents on Shareholder Rights Nature of Shares Numbering of Shares Transfer not to be Registered Transfer by Personal Representative Registration of Transfer Notice of Refusal to Register Transfer Certification of Transfers Issue of Certificates Certificate to be Evidence of Title Replacement of Lost Certificate Evidence of Grant of Probate Share Warrants to Bearer Official Seals for Share Certificates Making Compensation for Losses Register of Debenture Holders Provision of Instrument Register of Debenture Holders Meetings of Debenture Holders Liability of Trustees Perpetual Debentures Power to Re-issue Redeemed Debentures Contracts to Subscribe for Debentures Payment of Certain Debts Interpretation Certain Distributions Prohibited Restriction on Distribution of Assets Exemption of Certain Companies Realised Profits of Insurance Company Distribution to Be Justified Last Annual Accounts Requirement for Interim Accounts Requirements for Initial Accounts Method of Applying Section 79F Treatment of Assets Distributions in Kind Consequences of Unlawful Distribution Saving for Provision in Articles Application to Certain Companies Saving for Other Distribution Restraints Registration of Charges Charges Created by the Company Charges Existing on Property Charges to be Kept by Registrar Entries of Satisfaction Extension of Time for Registration Appointment of Receiver or Manager Copies of Instruments Company's Register of Charges Right to Inspect Instrument Copies Application of Part III Registered Office of Company Publication of Name of Company Adequacy of Certain Descriptions Register of Members Company Statement Index of Members of Company Entries in Register to Share Warrants Inspection of Register of Members Failure to Comply with Requirements Power to Close Register of Members Power of Court to Rectify Register Trusts not Entered on Register Register to be Evidence Keeping Branch Register Regulations as to Branch Register Registers of Oversea Companies Company Annual Return General Provisions: Annual Returns Certificates Sent by Private Company Annual General Meeting Extraordinary General Meeting Notice for Calling Meetings Meetings and Votes Quorum: One Company Member Power of Court to Order Meeting Proxies Right to Demand a Poll Voting on a Poll Representation of Companies Circulation of Members' Resolutions Special Resolutions Restriction on Alteration of Articles Written Resolutions of Companies Duty to Notify Auditors Written Resolutions: Supplementary Written Record Resolutions Requiring Special Notice Certain Resolutions and Agreements Resolutions at Adjourned Meetings Minutes of Proceedings of Meetings Place to Keep Minute Book Inspection of Minute Books Keeping of Books of Account Profit and Loss Account Contents and Form of Accounts Obligation to Lay Group Accounts Form of Group Accounts Contents of Group Accounts Financial Year of Holding Company Particulars in Relation to Subsidiaries Companies not being Subsidiaries Subsidiary Company's Accounts Signing of Balance Sheet Accounts and Auditors' Report Directors' Report Proviso to Section 141C Sections 129D and 129E Right to Receive Copies Appointment & Removal of Auditors Supplementary Provisions Powers of Auditors False Statements to Auditors Disqualifications: Auditor Appointment Resignation of Auditor Right of Auditor who Resigns Auditor's Report and Rights Construction of References Restrictions on Financial Reports Notices of Intent Relevant Dates Duties of Listed Companies Financial Reports not to be Sent Form and Contents of Reports Prohibition Orders Compliance with Section 129G Requirements as to Accounts Investigation of Company Affairs Company Affairs in Other Cases Power of an Inspector Documents on Investigation Delegation of Powers by Inspector Power to Call for Director's Accounts Inspector's Report Extension of Secretary's Powers Proceedings on Inspector's Report Expenses of Investigation Inspector's Report to be Evidence
Chapter: 32  COMPANIES ORDINANCE

Section Num: 145  Version Date 30/06/1997

Production of documents, and evidence, on investigation

(1) It shall be the duty of all officers and agents of the company and of all officers and agents of any other body corporate whose affairs are investigated by virtue of section 144 to produce to the inspector all books and documents of or relating to the company or, as the case may be, the other body corporate that are in their custody or power, to attend before the inspector when required so to do and otherwise to give to the inspector all assistance in connexion with the investigation that they are reasonably able to give.  (Amended 6 of 1984 s. 99)

(1A) If an inspector considers that a person other than an officer or agent of the company or other body corporate is or may be in possession of any information concerning its affairs, he may require that person to produce to him any books or documents in his custody or power relating to the company or other body corporate, to attend before him and otherwise to give him all assistance in connexion with the investigation which he is reasonably able to give; and it shall be the duty of that person to comply with the requirement.  (Added 10 of 1987 s. 5)

(2) An inspector may examine on oath the officers and agents of the company or other body corporate, and any such person as is mentioned in subsection (1A), in relation to the affairs of the company or other body, and may administer an oath accordingly.  (Replaced 10 of 1987 s. 5)

(3) If any officer or agent of the company or other body corporate, or any such person as is mentioned in subsection (1A), refuses to produce to the inspector any book or document which it is his duty under this section so to produce, refuses to attend before the inspector when required so to do, or refuses to answer any question that is put to him by the inspector with respect to the affairs of the company or other body corporate, as the case may be, the inspector may certify the fact under his hand to the court, and the court may thereupon inquire into the case, and, after hearing any witnesses who may be produced against or on behalf of the alleged offender and after hearing any statement that may be offered in defence, punish the offender in like manner as if he had been guilty of contempt of the court.  (Amended 6 of 1984 s. 99; 10 of 1987 s. 5)

(3A) A person is not excused from answering a question put to him under this section by an inspector on the ground that the answer might tend to incriminate him but, where such person claims, before answering the question, that the answer might tend to incriminate him, neither the question nor the answer shall be admissible in evidence against him in criminal proceedings other than proceedings in relation to a charge of perjury or proceedings for an offence under section 36 of the Crimes Ordinance (Cap 200) in respect of the answer.  (Added 6 of 1984 s. 99. Amended 72 of 1994 s. 2)

(3AA) If a claim of tendency to incriminate is not made in advance under subsection (3A), an answer given by a person to a question put to him in exercise of powers conferred by this section may be used in evidence against him.  (Added 72 of 1994 s. 2)

(3B) A person who complies with any requirement under this section of an inspector investigating the affairs of a company or other body corporate shall not incur any liability to any person by reason only of that compliance, and a certificate by the inspector under his hand stating that he is investigating the affairs of the company or other body corporate and that the person to whom the requirement is made is an officer or agent, as the case may be, of the company or other body corporate, or person whom he considers may be in possession of any information concerning its affairs, shall be conclusive evidence of those facts.  (Added 6 of 1984 s. 99. Amended 10 of 1987 s. 5)

(4)-(4A) (Repealed 10 of 1987 s. 5)

(5) In this section, any reference to officers or to agents shall include past, as well as present, officers or agents, as the case may be, and for the purposes of this section the expression "agents", in relation to a company or other body corporate, shall include the bankers and solicitors of the company or other body corporate and any person employed by the company or other body corporate as auditor, whether any such person is or is not an officer of the company or other body corporate.

(Replaced 4 of 1963 s. 8)

[cf. 1948 c. 38 s. 167 U.K.]

 Our latest offshore news
Offshore Incorporation forum launched
30/09/2006
Welcome to join our discussions
on Offshore Companies, Incorporations,
Jurisdictions, etc..
Learn more
23/10/2007
A company operating in Hamburg, Beiersdorf Aktiengesellschaft has recently announced entering a share purchase agreement with a BVI-incorporated Global Source Investments Limited and Hong Kong-incorporated C-BONS Holding (International) Limited.
Learn more
02/07/2007
Hong Kong Financial Secretary Henry Tang suggests that issuing renminbi-denominated financial bonds in Hong Kong will reinforce its banking status. Monetary Authority Chief Executive Joseph Yam has also commented on this issue.
Learn more
20/06/2007
According to the data released by the Census & Statistics Department of Hong Kong, the BVI is one of the top destinations for Hong Kong's external factor income outflow and inflow in Quarter 1 of 2007.
Learn more
15/06/2007
The government of Hong Kong has published its final report on the public consultation on tax reform to provide recommendations about exploring some options aimed at the development and enlargement of narrow tax base in Hong Kong.
Learn more
02/06/2007
On May 28, 2007, the launch of Unsolicited Electronic Messages Ordinance from June 1 was announced by Hong Kong's Commerce, Industry & Technology Bureau. The Ordinance is to be carried out in 2 phases.
Learn more
20/05/2007
At the Swiss Private Bankers' Association's meeting, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Henry Tang invited swiss bankers to use Hong Kong as a regional base for managing their businesses in Asia.
Learn more
12/05/2007
At the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Seminar named "Hong Kong - New Opportunities as an International Financial Centre", Joseph Yam announced a strategy to make a greater Hong Kong's contribution to the reform and liberalisation of the Mainland China and to maintain the status of Hong Kong as an international financial centre.
Learn more
27/04/2007
On April 25, 2007, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Henry Tang told legislators that from 2004 to 2005 growth in Hong Kong's combined fund-management business was on 25%.
Learn more
12/04/2007
According to the Global Financial Centers Index (GFCI), Hong Kong is the 3rd most competitive financial centre in the world.
Learn more
30/03/2007
India's largest public sector bank in terms of aggregate business, Canara Bank announced that it is opening the 1st branch in Hong Kong, which is an expanding move for the bank.
Learn more
12/03/2007
At the 14th APEC SME Ministerial Meeting, Director-General of the Hong Kong Trade & Industry department, stated that Hong Kong's favourable business environment is underpinned by the rule of law, free flow of capital and information, a low and simple tax regime, an independent judiciary and an efficient government.
Learn more
21/02/2007
According to the announcement made by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) on February 7, 2007, Hong Kong's official foreign currency reserve assets amounted to the total of USD 133.7 billion in the end of January 2007.
Learn more
09/02/2007
Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced the amount of official foreign currency reserve assets on the end of January 2007, which totalled at USD 133.7 billion.
Learn more
01/02/2007
Rewrite of the Companies Ordinance will bring substantial benefits to Hong Kong, especially in strengthening competitiveness of the jurisdiction and its status as a global business and financial centre.
Learn more
29/01/2007
Hong Kong is to receive benefits from increased links with the market of mainland China, as stated by Hong Kong Monetary Authority Chief Executive.
Learn more
26/01/2007
New Anti-Money Laundering rules are introduced by Hong Kong's Security Bureau. Customers' identities and record transactions of HK$ 8 000 dollars or more must be verified by remittance agents and money changers.
Learn more
17/01/2007
The Heritage Foundation has ranked Hong Kong as the freest economy in the world for the 13th consecutive year. It is followed by Singapore and Australia.
Learn more
06/01/2007
Comparing to 2005, property sale and purchase agreements in Hong Kong in 2006 fell 19.9%. This fact was released on January 4, 2007 by the Land Registry.
Learn more
03/01/2007
Financial Secretary of Hong Kong, Henry Tang understands people's high expectations for the 2007-2008 Budget, however, he suggests the necessity of a balance between the interests of different parties when devising it.
Learn more
21/12/2006
In November, inflation in Hong Kong accelerated to 2.2% on higher clothing, housing and food prices. To compare this figure, the Census and Statistics Department indicates 2% inflation in October.
Learn more
08/11/2006
According to the IMF, the economy of Hong Kong is expected to grow by 6% this year and maintain growth of 5% in 2007. The IMF stated that growth prospects will depend on the management and expanding the evolving financial integration with the Mainland.
Learn more
30/10/2006
In Hong Kong, two new banking regulations have been gazetted to be tabled at the Legislative Council on November 1. These are the Banking (Capital) Rules and Banking (Disclosure) Rules. The rules are to be in force from January 1, 2007.
Learn more
18/10/2006
According to the UN's World Investment Report 2006, Hong Kong attracted USD 35.9 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) last year, up 5.6% on 2004. So, Hong Kong is the 2nd-largest FDI destination in Asia after China, which amassed USD 72.4 billion.
Learn more
16/10/2006
Hong Kong is likely to refuse discussing joining the EU's tax information-sharing scheme applied under the Savings Tax Directive. The EU would like to sign the Agreement and include information-sharing there.
Learn more
25/11/2007
Recently, the Seychelles International Business Authority has sponsored Asia Offshore Association (AOA) Conference in Vietnam, and International Tax Planning Association (ITPA) meeting in Hong Kong.
Learn more