As the Hong Kong Family Law Association approaches its 40th anniversary celebrations this November, we have begun celebrating in the best possible way: by bringing our community together to reflect on where we have come from, what we have achieved, as well as the work that lies ahead.
Our recent HKFLA40 Fireside Chat with Former Chairpersons was warmly received. I am very grateful to Peter Barnes, Sharon Ser and Samantha Gershon for sharing their time, their memories and their perspectives so generously with us.
If anything, the sharing for that evening was a powerful reminder that the HKFLA’s history is not simply a record of events, of office-holders nor of anniversaries. It is the story of committed family-law practitioners who saw the need for a professional community – one that could support education, exchange ideas, encourage collegiality and, where appropriate, work constructively to improve the family justice system in Hong Kong.
We heard about the HKFLA’s early spirit and the individuals who helped lay its foundations. We reflected on the development of the Family Court and the importance of practitioners engaging thoughtfully with the Judiciary and the wider legal community. We also considered the more recent challenges of the COVID years, when family lawyers worked collectively to address the acute practical difficulties faced by children and separated parents.
Different times bring different challenges. Yet the central message from the evening was clear: meaningful progress is rarely achieved by any one person working alone. It comes from lawyers who care about the families behind the cases, who are willing to share experience and expertise, and who remain engaged with the development of our profession.
To me, these are the enduring values of the HKFLA.
Family law is demanding work. It calls for technical knowledge, sound judgment, resilience and empathy. We work with people at some of the most difficult points in their lives: when relationships break down, when decisions must be made about children, when financial uncertainty creates anxiety and when families must find a path forward despite conflict. The work matters profoundly and has wide repercussions.
For that reason, it is important that we do not practise in isolation.
The HKFLA provides a space for family-law practitioners to connect with colleagues, learn from leading voices in the field, discuss emerging issues and maintain the sense of purpose that brought many of us into family law in the first place. It is a community for experienced practitioners and newer members alike – not merely to attend events, but to participate, contribute and help shape the future of our profession.
As we celebrate 40 years, I hope current members will continue to take part in the life of the HKFLA and I warmly encourage those who are not yet members to join us. There is great value in being part of a professional community that is committed not only to excellence in practice, but also to resolution, mutual support and better outcomes for families.
The anniversary programme will continue in October and then in November with our Symposium on Appropriate Dispute Resolution, followed by a cocktail reception and our 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner. The Symposium will take place over 5 and 6 November 2026, with contributions from distinguished speakers and leading practitioners from Hong Kong and overseas. The Gala Dinner will be held at The Hong Kong Club on 6 November.
These events are an opportunity to celebrate the HKFLA’s past—but, more importantly, to invest in its future.
To everyone who joined us for the Fireside Chat: thank you.
To Peter, Sharon and Sam: thank you for reminding us of the commitment, energy and collegiality that have sustained this Association for four decades.
And to all family-law practitioners: let us remain passionate about our work, engaged with one another and ambitious for the families and the profession we serve.
I look forward to seeing you all at our upcoming celebrations.
Derek K. Ho
Chairman
Hong Kong Family Law Association