Process service · Asia & PacificOverview
Process Server in Hong Kong: How Service of Process Works
Hong Kong has its own Hague Service Convention Central Authority, separate from mainland China: the Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government, with the Registrar of the High Court completing the Article 6 certificate. Critically, Hong Kong has not opposed Article 10(a), so postal service is permitted — the opposite of mainland China and Macao, which are Central-Authority-only. One practical drafting note matters more here than almost anywhere else: requests must refer to the jurisdiction as 'Hong Kong, China' or 'Hong Kong S.A.R.', never 'Hong Kong' in isolation, or Hong Kong's Central Authority will reject the filing as a matter of course.
Who serves process
Who Can Serve Legal Documents in Hong Kong
Hong Kong has its own common-law legal system, separate from mainland China. It is covered by the Hague Service Convention through China, but has its own arrangements: the Central Authority is the Chief Secretary for Administration, and documents are served by the Chief Bailiff of the High Court under Order 69 of the Rules of the High Court. Hong Kong charges no fee.
Unlike mainland China, Hong Kong has not objected to postal service under Article 10(a), and courts in the U.S. and England have accepted that. For direct service through official channels under 10(b) and (c), documents are only accepted through the Central Authority, from judicial, consular or diplomatic officers. Documents may be in English or Chinese.
Typical documents include writs of summons, originating summonses, court orders and notices. Companies can be served at their registered office under the Companies Ordinance.
Proof you receive: certificate or sworn affidavit
The Chief Bailiff serves the documents, and the Registrar of the High Court issues the Hague Certificate of Service.
Postal Service into Hong Kong (Article 10(a))
Since Hong Kong has not objected to Article 10(a), postal service is a valid, often faster alternative to the Central Authority route — a meaningful contrast with mainland China.
Chief Secretary Central Authority Filing
We submit requests to the Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR, coordinated for execution through the Hong Kong court system and the Registrar of the High Court.
Correct Jurisdictional Naming
We ensure every filing refers to the jurisdiction as 'Hong Kong, China' or 'Hong Kong S.A.R.' rather than 'Hong Kong' alone, avoiding the automatic rejection this naming issue causes.
The rules
Hong Kong Service of Process Rules
Key provisions for service in Hong Kong:
| Rule | What it covers |
|---|---|
| RHC Order 69 r. 4 | Service of foreign process by the Chief Bailiff |
| RHC Order 65 r. 3 | General rules on personal service |
| Companies Ord. s. 827 | Service on companies at the registered office |
Treaties
Hague Service Convention and Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a party to the Hague Service Convention, so documents can be sent to its Central Authority, which arranges service and returns a Certificate of Service. On Article 10: Hong Kong has not objected to postal service, and courts have accepted it; direct official service goes only through the Central Authority.
Hong Kong is also a party to the Hague Evidence Convention, so witness testimony and documents can be requested with a Letter of Request.
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