Hong Kong Ordinances

COMPANIES ORDINANCE - SECT 38

Specific requirements as to particulars in prospectus

Caution: This is a past version. See the current version here.

(1) Subject to the provisions of section 38A, every prospectus issued by or on
behalf of a company must either be in the English language and contain a
Chinese translation or be in the Chinese language and contain an English
translation, and must state the matters specified in Part I of the Third
Schedule and set out the reports specified in Part II of that Schedule, and
the said Parts I and II shall have effect subject to the provisions contained
in Part III of the said Schedule. (Replaced 78 of 1972 s. 5. Amended 83 of
1995 s. 5)

(1A) Every prospectus to which subsection (1) applies must contain in a
prominent position, if in the English language, a statement in the following
form-

"IMPORTANT

If you are in any doubt about this prospectus you should consult your
stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, certified public accountant or other
professional adviser."; and, if in the Chinese language, a statement in the
following form-
　　　　　　　　　　　　　 “重要提示
如對此招股章程有任何疑問，應向股票經紀、銀行經理、律師、會計師或其他專家請教。”。

(Added 78 of 1972 s. 5. Amended 83 of 1995 s. 5; 23 of 2004 s. 56)

(1B) If any prospectus is issued which does not comply with or contravenes the
requirements of subsections (1) and (1A), the company and every person who is
knowingly a party to the issue thereof shall be liable to a fine. (Added 78 of
1972 s. 5. Amended 7 of 1990 s. 2)

(2) A condition requiring or binding an applicant for shares in or debentures
of a company to waive compliance with any requirement of this section, or
purporting to affect him with notice of any contract, document, or matter not
specifically referred to in the prospectus, shall be void.

(3) Subject to the provisions of section 38A, it shall not be lawful to issue
any form of application for shares in or debentures of a company unless the
form is issued with a prospectus which complies with the requirements of this
section: (Amended 78 of 1972 s. 5) Provided that this subsection shall not
apply if it is shown that the form of application was issued either-

   (a)  in connexion with a bona fide invitation to a person to enter into an
        underwriting agreement with respect to the shares or debentures; or

   (b)  in relation to shares or debentures which were not offered to the
        public. If any person acts in contravention of the provisions of this
        subsection, he shall be liable to a fine. (Amended 6 of 1984 s. 259; 7
        of 1990 s. 2)

(3A) This section shall not prevent the publication of the English version
only of a prospectus in an English language newspaper or the Chinese version
only in a Chinese language newspaper, nor the publication in such newspaper
together with the prospectus of a form of application relating thereto. (Added
6 of 1984 s. 22)

(4) In the event of non-compliance with or contravention of any of the
requirements of this section, a director or other person responsible for the
prospectus shall not incur any liability by reason of the non-compliance or
contravention, if-

   (a)  as regards any matter not disclosed, he proves that he was not
        cognisant thereof; or

   (b)  he proves that the non-compliance or contravention arose from an
        honest mistake of fact on his part; or

   (c)  the non-compliance or contravention was in respect of matters which in
        the opinion of the court dealing with the case were immaterial or was
        otherwise such as ought, in the opinion of that court, having regard
        to all the circumstances of the case, reasonably to be excused:
        Provided that, in the event of failure to include in a prospectus a
        statement with respect to the matters specified in paragraph 19 of
        Part I of the Third Schedule, no director or other person shall incur
        any liability in respect of the failure unless it be proved that he
        had knowledge of the matters not disclosed. (Amended 78 of 1972 s. 5)

(5) This section shall not apply-

   (a)  to the issue to existing members or debenture holders of a company of
        a prospectus or form of application relating to shares in or
        debentures of the company, whether an applicant for shares or
        debentures will or will not have the right to renounce in favour of
        other persons; or

   (b)  to the issue of a prospectus or form of application relating to shares
        or debentures which are or are to be in all respects uniform with
        shares or debentures previously issued and for the time being listed
        on a recognized stock market; (Amended 6 of 1984 s. 259; 10 of 1987 s.
        11; 5 of 2002 s. 407) but, subject as aforesaid, this section shall
        apply to a prospectus or a form of application whether issued on the
        formation of a company or subsequently. (Replaced 78 of 1972 s. 5)

(6) Nothing in this section shall limit or diminish any liability which any
person may incur under the general law or this Ordinance apart from this
section.

(7) The Chief Executive in Council may by regulation amend the Third Schedule.
(Added 78 of 1972 s. 5. Amended 23 of 1999 s. 3) [cf. 1929 c. 23 s. 35 U.K.]