Hong Kong Regulations

HONG KONG COURT OF FINAL APPEAL RULES - RULE 23

Procedure on non-appearance of Respondent

(1) Subject to any order to the contrary, the following provisions of this
rule shall apply where a Respondent fails to enter an appearance within the
time specified in or allowed under rule 20.

(2) If the Registrar is satisfied that the non-appearing Respondent has been
served with a Notice of Appeal, he may, if all other conditions of its being
set down are satisfied, appoint a date for the hearing of the appeal in the
absence of the non-appearing Respondent at any time after the expiration of 2
months from the day of the filing of the Notice of  Appeal.

(3) Where it is shown to the satisfaction of the Registrar, by affidavit or
otherwise, that an Appellant has made every reasonable endeavour to serve a
Respondent with the Notice of Appeal and has failed to effect such service,
the appeal may be proceeded with in the absence of the non-appearing
Respondent.