At the end of 2021, the Development Bureau of Hong Kong introduced an interim contractual security of payment (SOP) framework in public works contracts, with a view to facilitating timely processing of contractual payments and providing an interim mechanism for speedy resolution of payment disputes before the enactment of the Security of Payment Legislation (SOPL) in Hong Kong.

After 1 April 2022, all public works main contracts, including design and build contracts and term contracts, as well as Relevant Subcontracts at all tiers are subject to the contractual SOP regime.

We have set out in this short article some of the key provisions to the contractual SOP regime.

香港发展局于2021年底引入了有关公共工程合约付款保障制度，以确保工程合约付款要求能够得到及时处理。该制度在香港付款保障条例立法（SOPL）实施前提供一个过渡性的契约性的安排以便迅速解决工程合约付款争议。

2022年4月1日以后，所有公共工程的主合约，包括设计和建造合约以及定期合约，还有不同层级的分包合约都必须遵守该合约付款保障制度。

我们在此简要介绍一下该工程合约付款保障制度的一些主要规定。

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