Cap 284 - MISREPRESENTATION ORDINANCE 1

Chapter: 284 MISREPRESENTATION ORDINANCE Gazette Number Version Date

Long title 30/06/1997


To amend the law relating to innocent misrepresentations.


[29 August 1969]

(Originally 47 of 1969)

Section: 1 Short title 30/06/1997


This Ordinance may be cited as the Misrepresentation Ordinance.

Section: 2 Removal of certain bars to rescission for innocent

misrepresentation
30/06/1997



Where a person has entered into a contract after a misrepresentation has been made to him, and-
(a) the misrepresentation has become a term of the contract; or
(b) the contract has been performed,

or both, then, if otherwise he would be entitled to rescind the contract without alleging fraud, he shall be so entitled,
subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, notwithstanding the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b).

[cf. 1967 c. 7 s. 1 U.K.]

Section: 3 Damages for misrepresentation 30/06/1997


(1) Where a person has entered into a contract after a misrepresentation has been made to him by another party
thereto and as a result thereof he has suffered loss, then, if the person making the misrepresentation would be liable to
damages in respect thereof had the misrepresentation been made fraudulently, that person shall be so liable
notwithstanding that the misrepresentation was not made fraudulently, unless he proves that he had reasonable
grounds to believe and did believe up to the time the contract was made that the facts represented were true.

(2) Where a person has entered into a contract after a misrepresentation has been made to him otherwise than
fraudulently, and he would be entitled, by reason of the misrepresentation, to rescind the contract, then, if it is claimed,
in any proceedings arising out of the contract, that the contract ought to be or has been rescinded the court or arbitrator
may declare the contract subsisting and award damages in lieu of rescission, if of opinion that it would be equitable to
do so, having regard to the nature of the misrepresentation and the loss that would be caused by it if the contract were
upheld, as well as to the loss that rescission would cause to the other party.

(3) Damages may be awarded against a person under subsection (2) whether or not he is liable to damages
under subsection (1), but where he is so liable any award under subsection (2) shall be taken into account in assessing
his liability under subsection (1).

[cf. 1967 c. 7 s. 2 U.K.]

Section: 4 Avoidance of provision excluding liability for

misrepresentation
30/06/1997



If a contract contains a term which would exclude or restrict-
(a) any liability to which a party to a contract may be subject by reason of any misrepresentation made by

him before the contract was made; or
(b) any remedy available to another party to the contract by reason of such a misrepresentation,

that term shall be of no effect except in so far as it satisfies the requirement of reasonableness as stated in section 3(1)
of the Control of Exemption Clauses Ordinance (Cap 71); and it is for the person claiming that the term satisfies that
requirement to show that it does.

(Replaced 59 of 1989 s. 20)




Cap 284 - MISREPRESENTATION ORDINANCE 2

Section: 5 (Has had its effect) 30/06/1997




Section: 6 Saving for past transactions 30/06/1997


Nothing in this Ordinance shall apply in relation to any misrepresentation or contract of sale which is made
before the commencement of this Ordinance.

[cf. 1967 c. 7 s. 5 U.K.]

Section: 7 Application to Crown 30/06/1997


This Ordinance binds the Crown.