Cross-border family law issues were constructively addressed at a meeting between Hong Kong and Mainland family law practitioners, which took place in Guangzhou on 14 August 2019. Members of the Hong Kong delegation found the meeting very productive and useful.
The delegation from the Hong Kong Family Law Association (HKFLA) comprised of Nicholas Hemens, Jennifer Ip, Winnie Chow, Karen Lam, Lisa Wong, and Edith Au-Yeung. Together, the delegation travelled to meet a group from the Guangzhou Lawyers Association (Marriage & Family Law Committee) and lawyers from Global Kingway Law Firm, who kindly hosted the event.
The wide ranging discussion focused in particular on key issues, such as divorce, custody arrangements and ancillary relief matters. Ideas and views were shared by both delegations with each other, each giving a presentation followed by Q&A sessions.
Hong Kong and Guangdong Province are very closely linked: as a matter of geography, and also by families who have close ties to both sides of the border. The increasing numbers of such cross-border families, makes it of vital importance that family law practitioners, in both jurisdictions, are kept apprised of the many developments and issues within this practice area on both sides of the border. The meeting was reported to be a great success, and both sides found it both informative and instructive.