Q：
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What is the new inspection regime?
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A：
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Upon the commencement of new inspection regime, the usual residential address of director(s) in the registers and on the Index of Directors (public assessable date base maintained by Registrar) will be replaced by their correspondence address. The full identification number of director(s), company secretary(ies) and relevant persons in the registers and on the Public Index will also be replaced by their partial identification number.
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Q：
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What is the main purpose of the new inspection regime?
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A：
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The new inspection regime not only ensuring the transparency of the register, but also strengthen the protection of personal information.
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Q：
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When does the new inspection regime come into force?
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A：
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The new inspection regime is divided into three phrases.
The table below shows the details of implementation with timeframe for the three phases.
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Detail of Implementation
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Date of Commencement
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Phrase 1
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Companies are optional to replace usual residential address of directors with the correspondence address and replace full identification number of directors and company secretaries with partial identification number.
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23 August 2021
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Phrase 2
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The usual residential address and full identification number (“protected information”) will become protected and then the public will no longer be provided the protected information of document filed after the date of commencement of second phrase to inspect.
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24 October 2022
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Phrase 3
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Persons can apply to Companies Registry if they want to protect their protected information previously filed to Registry for public inspection.
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27 December 2023
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Q：
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Is the information of corporate director and corporate company secretary protected under new inspection regime?
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A：
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No, new inspection regime is not applicable to information of corporate director and corporate company secretary. The full company number and registered office address of corporations will still be shown.
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Q：
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Who can apply to Companies Registry to access the protected information under new inspection regime?
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A：
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Specified person can access the protected information of director(s) and others by applying to Companies Registry, including:
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A member of the company;
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A public officer of public body;
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A practicing solicitor of Hong Kong law or foreign law within the ambit of the Legal Practitioners Ordinance (Cap 159);
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A practicing certified public accountant under the Professional Accountants Ordinance (Cap 50);
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An authorized institution under the Banking Ordinance (Cap 155);
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A financial institution and designated non-financial businesses and professions regulated under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap 615); and
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A person/organization appointed or provided under statute who needs to use Protected Information to execute their statutory functions.
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FAQ
