Announcements

Official Receiver's Office to resume normal public services starting from April 21

To align with the Government's arrangements for gradual resumption of public services, the Official Receiver’s Office (ORO) will resume normal public services from April 21 with continuation of targeted measures to reduce social contact and application of infection control measures.

All offices of the ORO will be open from 8.30 am to 5.45 pm from Monday to Friday. For details on the office hours of specific public services, please visit the ORO’s website at https://www.oro.gov.hk/eng/about_us/contact_us/office_hours_and_further_assistance.html. As there may be a higher demand for the public services at the beginning of service resumption, the waiting and processing times for the services provided by the ORO may be longer. Members of the public are urged to come forward for the services only when such services are immediately required.

With a view to reducing flow of people and social contact, members of the public are encouraged to avoid coming to the offices of the ORO in so far as possible. For the delivery of documents to ORO, the public may make use of the ORO’s designated drop box on the Deck Floor of Queensway Government Offices. They can also make use of the electronic services of the ORO and contact the ORO by:

(a) telephone (Hotline number: 2867 2448);
(b) email (oroadmin@oro.gov.hk); or
(c) fax (Fax number: 3105 1814).

As to the meetings of creditors, meetings of contributories and adjournment thereof, creditors and contributories are recommended to lodge their proxy with the ORO by way of fax at 3105 1814 and avoid attending the meetings in person. The proxy forms can be accessed at the ORO’s website below. Members of the public are also advised not to attend the meeting unless it is absolutely necessary.

For bankruptcy cases
https://www.oro.gov.hk/eng/our_services/pforms/bankruptcy_forms.html

For liquidation cases
https://www.oro.gov.hk/eng/our_services/pforms/liquidation_forms.html

For any enquiries, please contact the ORO through its hotline at 2867 2448.

Wednesday, 20 April 2022

Temporary Unemployment Relief Scheme

The Government has introduced a Temporary Unemployment Relief (“TUR”) Scheme to provide assistance for people who have lost their jobs due to the fifth wave of the epidemic and to reduce their financial stress before they find another job. A one-off subsidy of $10,000 will be granted to each eligible person under the Scheme.

Application for subsidy under the TUR Scheme commences on 23 March 2022. Any undischarged bankrupt who intends to apply for the subsidy can visit the website of the Scheme for detailed information on the Scheme (https://www.tur.gov.hk/en/index.html). For obligations of an undischarged bankrupt after receipt of the subsidy, please see the FAQ (No. 3.13) on the Scheme (https://www.tur.gov.hk/en/faq.html).

Wednesday, 23 March 2022

New Online Service for Debtors: Appointment Booking for Attestation Services via GovHK Portal

With effect from 18 February 2022, the Official Receiver’s Office has launched a new service for debtors who intend to file “Debtor’s Bankruptcy Petition” (“the Petition”) and wish to have the Petition attested before an authorized staff of the Official Receiver’s Office to book an appointment for the attestation service online via the GovHK Portal.

Please click here for details.

Friday, 18 February 2022

New Online Service for Creditors: Submission of Proof of Debt via GovHK Portal

With effect from 28 January 2022, the Official Receiver’s Office has launched a new service for creditors to submit their proofs of debt online via the GovHK Portal.

Please click here for details.

Friday, 28 January 2022

One-stop service for Online Application for “Certificate of Non-Bankruptcy”

The Official Receiver’s Office has enhanced the e-Services to provide one-stop service for Online Application for “Certificate of Non-Bankruptcy”. With effect from 28 January 2022, member of public who has registered “iAM Smart” can submit application, make payment, track the application status online and download the “Certificate of Non-Bankruptcy” via GovHK Portal.

Please click here for details.

Friday, 28 January 2022

Important Notice for Petitioner in Bankruptcy Proceedings

It is the duty of petitioners (including petitioning creditors in creditor’s petition cases and debtors in self petition cases) and their legal representatives to ensure that bankruptcy petitions presented by them to court are prosecuted efficiently and expeditiously. The duty includes (but not limited to) attending the petition hearing and adjourned hearings (if any) at the appointed date and time, communicating proactively with the court on matters regarding the petition, responding timely to the requisitions that may be raised by the court from time to time, proceeding with the petition efficiently and applying for adjournment only where circumstances fully justify.

Any petitions presented that are not in compliance with the relevant requirements or amount to an abuse of process (e.g. the bankruptcy proceedings being invoked in an improper manner or for an improper purpose such as using it as a means for debt collection or negotiation with creditors) is liable to be dismissed by the court with costs ordered against the petitioner.

Ends/Friday, 10 December 2021

Use of "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile application on Official Receiver’s Office premises starting 1 November 2021

In accordance with the Government’s announcement on the strict enforcement of requirement of using “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile application (“the app”) when entering government buildings or offices, starting from 1 November 2021, except for exempted persons specified in the paragraph below, all persons entering the premises of the Official Receiver’s Office (ORO) are required to use the app to scan the venue QR code before entry.

Persons who are aged below 12 or aged 65 or above, those with disabilities that render use of the app difficult and individual persons granted exemption due to actual circumstances, will be exempt from the requirement of using the app when they enter ORO premises. The exempted persons are required to complete a record form to register their names, the first four digits or letters of their identification documents, their contact numbers and the date and time of their visits, with relevant identification documents presented for verification at the request of our staff on-site. Our staff will also verify the contact numbers by making phone calls.

Any person who does not use the app and fail to provide the required information in the record form, ORO may deny their entry.

As it will take time to verify personal particulars under the new arrangement, the waiting and processing times for the services provided by the ORO may be longer. Members of the public are advised to allow sufficient time to come forward for the services and follow the instructions of our staff on-site when entering the ORO premises.

Ends/Friday, 29 October 2021

Additional Measures for Online Search Service starting from November 2021

To further enhance protection of personal data privacy, the Official Receiver’s Office (“ORO”) will introduce additional requirements for access to the search service for the individual voluntary arrangement (“IVA”) register provided by ORO. With effect from 1 November 2021, searchers of the IVA register are required to provide their personal information, including name and identification information, and confirm that information obtained from the search will only be used for the stated purpose of the register. Searchers are also required to acknowledge that they understand the consequences of using the personal data obtained for any unpermitted purposes or in contravention of the requirements under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486).

Ends/Tuesday, 26 October 2021