Reviewed legal insight

What changed under the 2024 Mainland–Hong Kong judgments arrangement?

The civil and commercial judgments mechanism has applied since 29 January 2024. Check the judgment, its date and the applicable exclusions before considering a cross-border application.

A judgment requiring payment or other action can raise a second question: what procedure applies where the other party or its assets are elsewhere? Bring the actual judgment to that discussion, including any appeal or later order.

Review state
Human reviewed
Last reviewed
Sep 5, 2026
Applies to
MAINLAND_CHINA_HONG_KONG

What changed, and what still needs checking?

The Department of Justice explains that the earlier arrangement covered money judgments from designated courts in business-to-business disputes with a written agreement giving the chosen court sole authority to hear them. The mechanism operating since 29 January 2024 has a broader scope: it covers monetary and non-monetary relief, meaning court-ordered remedies beyond payment as well as money judgments. Broader coverage does not make enforcement automatic.

The Department's Cap. 645 FAQs describe a mechanism for judgments given on or after 29 January 2024. It has exclusions, including specified family, insolvency (inability to pay debts) and arbitration-related matters. The earlier arrangement continues to apply to qualifying written choice-of-court agreements made before commencement; those judgments need separate assessment.

Registration is a court process

For a Mainland judgment, the Hong Kong route involves an application to the Court of First Instance supported by an affidavit (a written statement of facts made on oath) and required documents, including a sealed judgment and the original court's certificate. Eligibility includes the judgment's legal effectiveness and relevant conditions about failure to comply with it. Registration can be challenged, and enforcement has its own procedural stage.

What to bring to a lawyer

Use this preparation list to identify gaps before discussing the route:

  • The full judgment, issuing court, date and any certificate or appeal documents.
  • The original contract and any court-selection clause, plus records of service and participation.
  • What remains unpaid or unperformed, with dates and any payments already made.
  • Known locations of the parties and assets, and details of proceedings elsewhere.

Information boundary

This article provides general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create a solicitor-client relationship. A lawyer must assess the relevant facts, documents and current law before advising on a particular matter.

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