Hong Kong’s new move to enforce mainland court orders raises concerns

HONG KONG — Wealthy Chinese with assets in Hong Kong are expressing concerns about what could happen to their holdings under a new ordinance that will make it easier for mainland court orders in civil cases to be enforced in the city, lawyers and bankers say.

Scheduled to take effect on Jan. 29 next year, the Mainland Judgements in Civil and Commercial Matters (Reciprocal Enforcement) Ordinance provides for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of civil rulings by courts in Hong Kong and on the mainland.