Joanne Brown

22Jan2024

Question: I am going through a separation or divorce. Can I travel with my children overseas? 

At the start of a New Year, parents may be looking to enjoy overseas travel with their children, especially during their long school holidays. It is important to plan ahead and seek agreement with your co-parent to prevent any travel disappointments, delays, or cancellation costs. As…Read More

18Jan2024

Tanner De Witt is delighted that our law firm has achieved consistent recognition in Chambers and Partners Greater China Region Guide 2024

Tanner De Witt is delighted that our law firm has achieved consistent recognition in Chambers and Partners Greater China Region Guide 2024. We are honoured to have maintained top-notch rankings for an impressive 14-year stretch. Big congratulations to our exceptional team for earning this well-deserved recognition. Restructuring & Insolvency:…Read More

05Sep2023

Court of Final Appeal: Government must provide alternative means of recognising same-sex partnership

On 5 September 2023, the Court of Final Appeal in Sham Tsz Kit v Secretary for Justice [2023] HKCFA 28 ruled that the absence of alternative means of legal recognition of same-sex relationships in Hong Kong amounts to a violation of the constitutional right to…Read More

23May2023

Forced marriages and the law of invalid consent recently examined in RM v AY [2023] HKCU 1398

The freedom to marry a partner of our choosing is a constitutional right. The Hong Kong Bill of Rights states “No marriage shall be entered into without the free and full consent of the intending spouses” (Article 19).   Yet, forced marriages do happen in Hong…Read More

08May2023

Protecting Minors – Wards of the Court: Who, what, when and why? 

The term “Ward of the Court” is one which sounds archaic. In a way, it is. The origins stem from feudalism in the Middle Ages in England when the Crown was given rights to exercise powers and duties over orphaned children whose father owned land.  …Read More

05May2023

Tanner De Witt’s Family Practice ranked and Joanne Brown recommended as Family and Divorce Lawyer in 2023 Doyle’s Guide Hong Kong.

We are delighted to share that Joanne Brown, Partner, and Head of the Family Practice at Tanner De Witt, has once again been recommended in Doyle’s Guide Hong Kong as the “Leading Family & Divorce Lawyer” of 2023. Tanner De Witt is also honoured to…Read More

15Mar2023

What happens to my jewellery in a divorce? A simple guide on how valuable personal items are distributed during a divorce proceeding

In divorce, what will happen to my personal valuables such as my jewellery, watches, bags? Spouses are often concerned with whether they can keep their personal valuables upon divorce. Will I keep my engagement ring? Will I have to sell my watches, jewelleries or luxury…Read More

14Feb2023

Is a pre-nuptial agreement an act of love? 

We have clients who come to us seeking advice on the process and substance of a pre-nup. Often they haven’t discussed this in any real detail save perhaps they have some pre-marital wealth they wish to ring-fence or a desire to keep extended family wealth…Read More

13Feb2023

Children Mental Health Awareness Week – Let’s Connect: Steps to minimise the impact of separation and divorce on a child

The past week was Children’s Mental Health Week in the UK with the theme of “Let’s Connect”. I was fortunate to attend a school event designed to bring this to the attention of parents and was interested to hear from an esteemed panel of Hong…Read More

13Feb2023

“No-Fault Divorce” in England: should Hong Kong follow suit?

2022 was a big year for divorce law in England & Wales. With the introduction of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 coming into force on 6 April 2022, anyone seeking to petition for divorce or dissolution of marriage no longer has to apportion…Read More

09Feb2023

Transgender appellants win appeal in Q, Tse Henry Edward v Commissioner of Registration [2023] HKCFA 4

The Court of Final Appeal handed down a landmark ruling that a policy on HKID card amendment adopted by the Commissioner of Registration was unconstitutional. The Commissioner of Registration adopts a policy which requires individuals to have completed full sex reassignment surgery if they seek…Read More

03Feb2023

Arrest of juveniles

What will happen if your children or child is arrested by the police? An overview of the rights of juveniles under arrest. Introduction We often hear of arrest of youngsters in Hong Kong. In this article, we briefly discuss how the legal system processes those…Read More