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Joanne Brown
High Court rules Housing Authority policy amounts to unlawful discrimination against same-sex spouses
In another step forward for same-sex rights in Hong Kong, the High Court today handed down a judgment confirming that the Housing Authority’s policy excluding same-sex married couples from their Home Ownership Scheme (“HOS”) amounts to unlawful discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation. The…Read More
Legal update: Reciprocal enforcement of civil judgments of matrimonial and family cases in Hong Kong and Mainland China
Attempts to enforce civil judgments in family cases between Hong Kong and Mainland China have faced many difficulties in the past, despite Hong Kong’s reunification in 1997. With a view to promote further legal cooperation between the borders, on 20 June 2017, the Supreme People’s…Read More
Relocation amidst a pandemic: COVID-19 and a wish to permanently leave Hong Kong with children
23 January 2021 marks the one year anniversary of the confirmation that COVID-19 has spread to Hong Kong. In a year filled with uncertainties and challenges, following on from a year of protests in Hong Kong, our Family Practice has seen an increase in enquiries,…Read More
Tanner De Witt sets firmwide record for Pro Bono Awards 2020
In a stellar showing of community support, we are delighted to announce that we have won five individual awards and gained firm recognition in The Law Society of Hong Kong Pro Bono and Community Service Awards for 2020. This is the first time in the…Read More
Tanner De Witt’s Family practice joins the HKFLA Christmas Quiz
On Tuesday 1 December, Tanner De Witt’s Family practice donned festive headgear and got ready for one of the top social events of the season – the Hong Kong Family Law Association’s Christmas Quiz. This year’s Quiz was held over Zoom due to ongoing social…Read More
Award win for Tanner De Witt’s Family practice as the firm is recognised as Asian Legal Business’s BDO Matrimonial and Family Law Firm of the Year 2020
We announce with great pleasure that our Family practice was recognised – out of a group of nine Hong Kong law firms – as the BDO Matrimonial and Family Law Firm of the Year in the 19th Annual ALB Hong Kong Law Awards on Friday…Read More
40th Anniversary of Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction
Monday, 25 October 2020 marked the 40th anniversary of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (the Convention). The Convention is given effect in Hong Kong in 1997 by the Child Abduction and Custody Ordinance (Cap. 512) (CACO). The objectives of…Read More
Radmacher v Granatino, 10 years on: revisiting the landmark case on nuptial agreements
Nuptial agreements have often been met with conflicting views. For the romantics, the idea of entering into a nuptial agreement may suggest planning for an imminent divorce. For the cautious and financially prudent, it can be seen to be a sensible financial and succession planning…Read More
Joanne Brown now an accredited HKMAAL Family Mediator
We are delighted to announce that Joanne Brown, Partner and Head of the Family department, is now accredited by the Hong Kong Mediation Accreditation Association Limited (HKMAAL) as a Family Mediator. What is Mediation? “Mediation is a flexible process conducted confidentially in which a neutral…Read More
Legal update: Two equality rights cases ruled on by High Court on 18 September 2020
The High Court today handed down two decisions concerning same-sex rights in Hong Kong. Ng Hon Lam Edgar v Secretary for Justice [2020] HKCFI 2412 In the Judgment of the Honourable Mr Justice Anderson Chow, the High Court today ruled in favour of Mr Edgar…Read More
I do… agree to get divorced
My spouse and I agree to dissolve our marriage. Should I file a petition based on the fact of One Year Separation with Consent or should we apply under for divorce under a joint application? If you and your spouse have to come to agreement…Read More
BMC v BGC formerly known as WCY [2020] HKCA 317
In an interesting decision handed down recently, the Court of Appeal dismissed a father’s appeal brought against a first instance judgment dismissing his application for the return of his child to the USA from Hong Kong. The application for return was brought under the Child…Read More