Abstract: A hydraulic actuator with a minimal closed height includes a housing (11), a chamber (12), and a fluid inlet (13) formed within the housing and arranged for communicating high pressure fluid to the chamber (12), the chamber (12) being partially divided into an inner portion (P1) and a radially outer portion (P2) by a longitudinally extending sleeve (123) having an open end (1231) proximal to a base (121) of the chamber (12) and spaced apart therefrom, the outer portion (P2) being arranged to communicate high pressure fluid from the fluid inlet(13) to the inner portion (P1) through a space (S) defined between the end (1231) of the sleeve (123) and the base (121), and the inner portion (P1) being adapted to receive a piston (100) such that the piston (100) is slidably actuable in dependence on the high pressure fluid received from the outer portion (P2).