Introduction

Introduction

1. Introduction

The winding up of insolvent companies in Hong Kong is governed by the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Chapter 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (“CWUMPO”), the Companies (Winding-up) Rules (Chapter 32H) (“CWUR”) and case laws. They provide the legal source of civil liabilities for directors, shareholders and senior management.

2. Directors

A liquidator is usually involved at the end of a company’s life cycle. The role of a liquidator includes investigating the reasons why a company has failed; collecting, protecting and realising the company’s assets; and distributing the proceeds of realisation in accordance with the statutory rules of distribution. The liquidator regime in Hong Kong thus places an emphasis on ensuring that the winding-up of financially distressed businesses is conducted in a fair and orderly manner and under the control and oversight of professionals conversant with the winding-up process and rules.

Under Hong Kong law, the terms “insolvency”, “liquidation” or “winding-up” are used with reference to companies, and “bankruptcy” is used in relation to individuals. The former are primarily regulated by Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions Ordinance) (CWUO) (Cap. 32), and the latter by the Bankruptcy Ordinance (Cap 6). The article below focuses on the corporate insolvency regime, in relation to financially distressed companies which are unable to pay their debts or discharge their payment obligations.