��������Ƶ

A Statement of Claim is the formal document that kicks off a civil lawsuit in Hong Kong's courts. It outlines your legal case against another party, spelling out exactly what happened, how you've been wronged, and what you want the court to do about it - usually compensation or specific actions.

Filed with the High Court or District Court, this document needs to include key details like dates, locations, and relevant facts that support your case. Think of it as your story told in legal terms. Once filed, the other party must respond within a set timeframe, typically 14 days, making the Statement of Claim the first step in getting your day in court.

You need to file a Statement of Claim when someone has breached a contract, caused you financial loss, or damaged your property, and informal resolution attempts have failed. This legal document is essential for starting civil proceedings in Hong Kong's courts, particularly when dealing with business disputes, property conflicts, or personal injury cases.

Time is critical - Hong Kong's Limitation Ordinance sets strict deadlines for filing claims, typically six years for contract disputes and three years for personal injury cases. Filing promptly helps preserve evidence, meets legal time limits, and shows the court you're serious about pursuing your rights. Many lawyers recommend preparing your Statement of Claim as soon as negotiations stall.

• Basic Statement of Claim: Used for straightforward civil disputes, covering essential facts, legal basis, and remedies sought
• Specially Endorsed Statement: Contains detailed documentary evidence and seeks summary judgment for clear-cut cases like debt recovery
• Personal Injury Statement: Focuses on injury details, medical evidence, and specific damages claims
• Contract Breach Statement: Emphasizes contractual terms, breach specifics, and resulting losses
• Property Dispute Statement: Details property rights, ownership evidence, and sought remedies in real estate conflicts

• Plaintiffs: Individuals, companies, or organizations filing the Statement of Claim to start legal proceedings and seek remedies
• Legal Representatives: Solicitors and barristers who draft and file the document, ensuring it meets court requirements
• Defendants: Parties named in the claim who must respond within strict timeframes or risk default judgment
• Court Officials: Registry staff who process and maintain the filed claims, plus judges who review them
• Expert Witnesses: Professionals who may provide supporting evidence referenced in complex claims

• Document Key Facts: Gather dates, locations, and detailed descriptions of events leading to your claim
• Evidence Collection: Compile all relevant contracts, correspondence, photos, receipts, and witness details
• Damage Assessment: Calculate and document all financial losses, including supporting evidence
• Party Details: Record full legal names and addresses of all involved parties
• Timeline Check: Confirm you're within Hong Kong's legal time limits for filing your type of claim
• Draft Structure: Use our platform to generate a properly formatted Statement of Claim that includes all required elements

• Header Information: Court name, case number, and full legal names of all parties involved
• Jurisdictional Statement: Clear basis for why the Hong Kong court has authority to hear the case
• Factual Background: Chronological narrative of relevant events leading to the dispute
• Legal Basis: Specific laws or legal principles that support your claim
• Relief Sought: Precise description of what you want the court to order
• Statement of Truth: Signed verification that all stated facts are accurate
• Endorsement: Filing details, including solicitor's information if represented

A Statement of Claim differs significantly from a Witness Statement in both purpose and timing within Hong Kong's legal process. While both documents play crucial roles in civil litigation, they serve distinct functions and appear at different stages.

• Primary Purpose: A Statement of Claim initiates legal proceedings and outlines your case against another party, while a Witness Statement provides factual evidence supporting specific aspects of an existing case
• Timing: The Statement of Claim comes first, starting the legal action. Witness Statements typically follow later during evidence gathering
• Content Focus: Statements of Claim present legal arguments and demanded remedies. Witness Statements stick to observed facts and personal knowledge
• Legal Effect: A Statement of Claim defines the scope of your entire case. Witness Statements serve as evidence within that established framework