Form NW4 Change of Particulars of Liquidator Hong Kong

Form NW4: Change of Particulars of Liquidator Hong Kong

When a liquidator or provisional liquidator appointed in a winding‑up changes their name, address or other recorded particulars, the Companies Registry must be notified using form nw4 change of particulars of liquidator hong kong. This statutory form is prescribed under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) and ensures the public record remains accurate during the winding‑up process. The form must be delivered to the Registry within the timeframe specified in the Ordinance, and failure to do so can attract penalties. The required information, the filing procedure and the consequences of non‑compliance are set out below.

Purpose of the NW4 Form

Form NW4 is the specified form for notifying the Companies Registry of any change in the particulars of a liquidator or provisional liquidator appointed under a winding‑up. The form captures updates to the liquidator’s name, residential or business address, and any other details previously lodged with the Registry. It is distinct from Form NW5, which is used to notify the cessation of a liquidator’s appointment. Where the liquidator is a firm, the form must reflect the particulars of each partner or director who acts in that capacity.

Required Information for the NW4 Form

The form requires the following details to be completed:

• Company name and CR number: The full legal name of the company in winding‑up and its Companies Registry number.
• Liquidator’s full name: The name as it appears on the appointment notice or the previous filing.
• Nature of change: A clear description of the altered particular, for example a new correspondence address or a change of surname following marriage.
• Date of change: The date on which the change took effect.
• Signature: The liquidator or provisional liquidator must sign the form. If the liquidator is a corporate body, a director or authorised officer of that body must sign.
• Certified true copy: Where the change arises from a court order - for example, an order substituting a liquidator - a certified true copy of the court order must accompany the form. The Registry will not accept an uncertified photocopy.

The form does not require a company secretary or director to sign because the liquidator has replaced those officers in the winding‑up administration. The registered office address shown on the Registry’s record for the company remains unchanged unless separately notified using Form NR1.

Filing Deadline for the NW4

The Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) requires that Form NW4 be delivered to the Registry within 15 days after the change occurs. The count begins on the date of the event - for example, the date the liquidator moves to a new office or the date a court order is made. If the 15th day falls on a public holiday or a gale warning day, the deadline extends to the next working day.

Where to File and How to Submit

The Companies Registry accepts Form NW4 through two channels:

• e-Services portal: Electronic filing through the Registry’s e‑Services portal at https://www.eregistry.gov.hk/. This is the faster option and the form is processed immediately on submission. A digital signature by the liquidator is required.
• Paper filing: The completed and signed form may be delivered in person or by post to the Companies Registry’s office at Queensway Government Offices. Paper filings take longer to process because they require manual data entry and scanning.

There is no registration fee payable for filing Form NW4. The Registry processes the notice free of charge.

Consequences of Non‑Compliance

Failure to file the change liquidator particulars form within the 15‑day period is an offence under the Companies Ordinance. The liquidator and, if the liquidator is a firm, every officer of that firm who is in default, may be liable to a fine. More practically, an outdated entry on the public register can cause confusion for creditors, shareholders and the court supervising the winding‑up. For example, a court order served at an old address may not reach the liquidator, and the court could treat the liquidator as having failed to respond.

If the liquidator has died or become incapable of acting, the person who takes over the winding‑up must file Form NW4 promptly to update the record. The Companies Registry will not accept a belated filing without a reasonable explanation.

Relationship with Other Forms

The rules governing the use of hong kong liquidator change notice forms are set out in the Companies (Winding‑up) Rules made under Cap. 622. The Registry’s specified forms index, available at https://www.cr.gov.hk/en/forms/specified.htm, lists all current versions. Always check the Registry’s website before preparing the form because the prescribed layout or accompanying instructions may be revised. The companies registry nw4 page on the Registry’s site also contains a downloadable PDF version of the form and guidance notes.

Checklist for Filing

Before submitting the form, confirm the following:

• The form is the current version from the Companies Registry website.
• All fields are legible and complete.
• The signature is original (on paper) or digitally signed (on e‑Services).
• If the change results from a court order, a certified true copy of that order is attached.
• The form is filed within 15 days of the change taking effect.

The form nw4 change of particulars of liquidator hong kong exists to keep the winding‑up record honest. A liquidator who treats the filing as a routine administrative step avoids the risk of penalty and maintains the trust of all parties involved in the winding‑up.