Matrimonial Law

03Mar2016

Pre-nuptial Agreements FAQs, examples

With marital planning, wealth acquired by one’s own hard efforts before marriage could be protected from the financial consequences of divorce. This firm has seen an increased client demand for protection of wealth acquired before marriage including family businesses, interests in family trusts, investment properties,…Read More

18Feb2016

Will your inheritance count towards the matrimonial pot in your divorce?

The guidelines for how judges should deal with financial provision in a divorce case are set out by the Court of Final Appeal in the landmark case of DD v LKW (2010) 13 HKCFAR 537.  Generally after providing for the needs of both spouses any…Read More

12Feb2016

Marrying rich? Better safe than sorry.

Ranking 3rd in Forbes’s “Cities With The Most Billionaires In 2015”, it is common for married couples in Hong Kong to live lavishly through the generosity of family members but with no absolute entitlement to wealth. This begs the million dollar question, for spouses who…Read More

25Jan2016

Improperly obtained documents in divorce proceedings

For the court or parties to reach a decision on financial relief, parties are required to disclose their financial positions to each other fully and frankly.  The fight over financial relief in divorce cases can be long and bitter.  If you know or suspect that…Read More

14Jan2016

Validity and need for registration of foreign marriage in Hong Kong

When people speak of a white wedding, they used to mean the colour of the bride’s dress.  Now they are just as likely to be talking about the colour of the sand on the exotic beach where the ceremony was held. A survey has claimed…Read More

06Jan2016

Press release: Tanner De Witt instructed on ground-breaking case concerning marriage equality in Hong Kong

PRESS RELEASE 30 December 2015 For Immediate Release Tanner De Witt has been instructed by Mr Leung Chun Kwong, a Civil Servant in Hong Kong, to file an application for leave to judicially review two Government department’s decisions on the basis that they are unconstitutional…Read More

27Nov2015

Legal update: Government launches public consultation on draft Children’s Bill

Further to our article posted on November 20th 2015 entitled “Long-awaited Children’s Bill coming soon to Hong Kong“, we are pleased to announce that the Hong Kong Government launched a four month public consultation on November 25th 2015 in order to gauge the public’s views…Read More

08Oct2015

Jurisdiction of divorce; what is the situation in Hong Kong?

Can I divorce in Hong Kong?  If not, why not? It is not true that just because a couple was married in Hong Kong, they could or should divorce here; where the marriage took place is irrelevant.  The circumstances immediately before the divorce are key….Read More

23Sep2015

Child abduction in Hong Kong: Is it ever okay?

Married parents who are contemplating a divorce often ask lawyers whether they can take their children abroad for a holiday against the will of the other parents.  The answer is no. In Hong Kong married parents have joint custody of their children.  Both parents make…Read More

19Jun2015

Residence as a dependant in Hong Kong during and after divorce FAQs

In our matrimonial work with families of international backgrounds in Hong Kong, we are often asked to assist in matters of dependants visas for spouse and children. We generally advise clients to pay attention to the timing of matters especially in the context of a…Read More

19Jun2015

Getting married outside Hong Kong

There is an increasing trend amongst residents of Hong Kong to get married abroad. If you are planning a wedding outside Hong Kong, you should pay attention to whether your marriage celebrated overseas is recognised as a legal marriage under Hong Kong law. This depends…Read More

26Feb2015

Tanner De Witt recommended in Doyle’s Leading Hong Kong Family law firms, 2015

Tanner De Witt has been recommended by Doyles as a Leading Hong Kong Family law firm in its recently published 2015 rankings.  This listing has been compiled from the results of an online survey of, and telephone interviews with, senior family lawyers and divorce specialists who practice…Read More