Hong Kong Ordinances

PROBATE AND ADMINISTRATION ORDINANCE - SECT 16

Cases in which Official Administrator is entitled to administration

(1) On application made by the Official Administrator, the court shall, unless
it sees good reason to the contrary, grant to him administration in any of the
following cases-

   (a)  where a person dying intestate, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, has
        left property situate in Hong Kong and no next of kin of such person
        are resident in Hong Kong;

   (b)  where a person dying intestate, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, has
        left property situate in Hong Kong and the next of kin of such person
        who is resident in Hong Kong files in the Registry a request for or
        consent to the making of such grant, in writing signed by him;

   (c)  where a person dying intestate, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, has
        left property situate in Hong Kong and no person has, within twelve
        months after the death of such person, obtained administration of his
        estate; and

   (d)  where a person dying intestate, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, has
        left property situate in Hong Kong and the next of kin is resident in
        Hong Kong and is an infant.

(2) The provisions of this section shall apply, with the necessary
modifications, in the case of a person who dies testate, whether in Hong Kong
or elsewhere, but without appointing an executor, or whose executor, if
appointed, refuses, neglects, or is unable to act.