Private Client

21Nov2023

Is a hand written signed will without witnesses valid?

Recently, I have been asked if we can obtain a grant of representation based on a will hand-written and executed by the testator but without the formal requirements of having two witnesses signing at the same time.  Incidentally, a decision in the recent case of…Read More

21Aug2023

Should a professional administrator be appointed? 

In Re the Estate of Yeung Kam (HCAP 19/2022), the Hong Kong High Court refused to appoint 2 beneficiaries of the Estate to be the administrator ad colligenda bona (for the purpose of collecting assets) and administrator pendente lite (pending litigation) and decided to appoint…Read More

13Jan2023

The Chambers and Partners Greater China Region 2023 rankings are announced

Tanner De Witt is delighted once again to be recognised by Chambers & Partners in their inaugural 2023 Greater China Region Guide for each of its main practice areas. Please see full results and editorial commentary below.   Corporate/M&A: Independent Hong Kong Firms (Band 2)Full ranking here. Tanner…Read More

12Jan2023

The Legal 500 2023 rankings are announced for Asia-Pacific

Tanner De Witt is proud to again be recommended in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific Guide 2023 for employment, restructuring and insolvency, dispute resolution, technology, media, telecommunications (TMT), commercial, corporate and M&A, private client and family. Legal 500’s Hall of Fame includes Partners Ian De Witt and Robin Darton, while Pamela Mak and Russell Bennett are…Read More

27May2022

Another Reason to have a Will – Inter Vivos Gift

It is not uncommon for a parent to transfer properties and assets to their children as an advancement or a gift on the marriage of the children during their lifetime. However, if subsequently the parent dies intestate with only surviving children, the distribution of the…Read More

29Mar2022

Legal update: Reciprocal enforcement of civil judgments of matrimonial and family cases in Hong Kong and Mainland China

This is an update to our article dated 15 June 2021 regarding Reciprocal enforcement of civil judgments of matrimonial and family cases in Hong Kong and Mainland China. The Mainland Judgments in Matrimonial and Family Cases (Reciprocal Recognition and Enforcement) Ordinance (Cap. 639) came into…Read More

12Jan2022

Results of 2022 Chambers Greater China Region Guide announced

Tanner De Witt is delighted once again to be recognised by Chambers & Partners in their inaugural 2022 Greater China Region Guide for each of its main practice areas. Please see full results and editorial commentary below. Corporate/M&A: Independent Hong Kong Firms (Band 2)Full ranking here. What the…Read More

17Sep2021

Asialaw 2022 rankings announced

Tanner De Witt is delighted to announce Asialaw’s 2022 rankings of domestic law firms which can be found here. All practices and lawyers have maintained their rankings from the previous year. Our 2022 awards are as follows: OutstandingLabour and EmploymentRestructuring and Insolvency Highly RecommendedCorporate and M&ADispute ResolutionRegulatory…Read More

09Apr2021

What is a Deed of Guardianship and why is it important?

Members of our Wills, Probate and Trusts team answer some common questions about Deeds of Guardianship and why they are necessary. What is a Deed of Guardianship and how is it different from having guardianship provisions under a will? In the event of both parents…Read More

29Oct2020

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

20Oct2020

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

18Sep2020

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