Adrian Au

Biography

Adrian is celebrated as one of Hong Kong Business Review’s ‘Most influential lawyers under 40’ in 2024, named a “Rising Star” by Asian Legal Business (ALB) and a “Recommended Family and Divorce Lawyer” in Doyle’s Guide. He offers counsel on a wide range of family and matrimonial law matters, including pre/post-nuptial agreements, matrimonial breakdown, separation, divorce, financial applications, and child arrangements. He also advises on contentious probate matters.

His diverse clientele ranges from chairpersons of listed companies, second-generation family business owners, and SME entrepreneurs with international backgrounds, to high net-worth individuals in the PRC. Adrian adeptly navigates complex jurisdictional issues and financial arrangements, including pension schemes, share options, deferred bonus payment schemes, assets across multiple jurisdictions, entitlements under trust structures, and maintenance for spouses and children.

In addition to advising on children’s matters such as international relocation and custodial arrangements, Adrian has significant experience advising PRC clients with substantial assets in Hong Kong, the PRC and other jurisdictions, often involving jurisdictional or financial disclosure issues. His practice also extends to contentious probate matters, advising on all aspects including challenging the validity of Wills due to the testator’s lack of mental capacity, fraudulent signatures, challenging and setting aside letters of administrations, and matters involving estate administration.

A significant number of Adrian’s cases involve complex legal points, requiring collaboration from practitioners across multiple jurisdictions to achieve the client’s intended goal. Prior to specializing in Family and Contentious Probate, Adrian was a general civil litigator, leveraging his experience and technical expertise to assist his current practice.

Adrian, an alumnus of the University of Hong Kong and Manchester University, has completed the STEP Certificate in International Trust Management with distinction and is on track to attain full STEP membership.

Biography

• Acted for clients engaged in litigation in multiple jurisdictions to secure the return of children to their habitual residence of Hong Kong
• Defended clients against disclosure of key company documents containing trade secrets or sensitive information
• Defended clients against inclusion of trust entitlements / dynastic wealth as part of matrimonial asset in financial proceedings
• Acted for clients seeking and defending against spousal and interim maintenance claims
• Advising clients on protection of dynastic wealth from potential divorce litigation
• Secured injunctive relief for clients on the basis of domestic violence
• Acted for client on the liquidation and dissolution of assets situated in multiple jurisdictions worth in excess of HK$100 million
• Acted for client in challenging the validity of a Will involving estate in excess of HK$400 million

Biography

• Hong Kong’s “Recommended Family Lawyer” in Doyle’s Guide 2025
• Hong Kong Business Review “Most influential lawyers under 40”
• Hong Kong’s “Family Law Rising Stars” in Doyle’s Guide 2022

Biography

• The Law Society of Hong Kong 
• The Hong Kong Family Law Association
• STEP Affiliate
• Hong Kong Collaborative Practice Group (HKCPG)
• International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP)

Biography