Family disputes can take many different forms, from the traditional probate disputes to family company shareholder disputes. Clients who are involved in family disputes can only be benefited from experienced litigators who have extensive knowledge of both probates and trusts from both non-contentious and contentious perspectives.
Hong Kong families are generally familiar with using different assets holding structures (including off-shore structures) to hold their family assets, businesses, real estate and investment portfolios. However, such structures may have been set up without the assistance from professional advisors or may no longer be fit for purpose which can give rise to disputes.
We have a deep understanding of the needs of our private clients and the dynamics of families, family businesses and personal relationships.
Podcast S3E3 | Contentious Trusts & Estates: Challenging a Will
References
Three of Hugill & Ip partners ranked as Chambers High Net Worth Guide:
- Alfred Ip: Private Wealth Disputes and Private Wealth Law (Band 1 and Band 3)
- Caroline McNally: Family & Matrimonial (Band 1)
- Kajal Aswani: Family & Matrimonial (Up and Coming)
The firm has been recognised in Band 2 for its Private Wealth Disputes practice.
Hugill & Ip is recognised by Doyle’s Guide as First Tier Law Firm in the Estates, Probate & Succession Litigation category in Hong Kong.
Two Partners of the Contentious Trusts & Estates team are recognised in the same category:
- Alfred Ip – First Tier Lawyer
- Fiona Chan – Second Tier Lawyer
Hugill & Ip has been ranked by Benchmark Litigation in the following practice areas:
- Highly Recommended for Private Client
- Recommended in Labor and Employment
- Tier 2 in Family and Matrimonial
- Tier 3 for Commercial and Transactions
Hugill & Ip is recognised for its work in dispute resolution and the firm has a distinct focus on employment and private client litigation. The firm is also increasingly involved in general commercial disputes. Key names in the dispute resolution team include partners Alfred Ip and Adam Hugill, who led the majority of cases worked on during the research period.
Hugill & Ip is one of the 6 law firms shortlisted in the Asia Pacific region for the Labour and Employment Firm of the Year Award.
Caroline McNally recognised with the prestigious award Top 100 Women in Litigation in Asia Pacific by Benchmark Litigation for the Family and Matrimonial category.
Alfred Ip of Hugill & Ip Solicitors offers a range of services to high net worth clients, including trust and probate-related matters, along with estate administration. He is often appointed by courts as an administrator in estate disputes, and is also a qualified solicitor in England and Wales.
Strengths
“Alfred is excellent and has a very good feel for the systems and courts.”
Hugill & Ip has been ranked by Benchmark Litigation in the following practice areas:
- Highly Recommended for Private Client
- Recommended in Labor and Employment
- Tier 3 for Commercial and Transactions
Adam Hugill and Alfred Ip are rated Litigation Stars and Geraint Ho Future Star. Hugill & Ip is recognised for its work in dispute resolution and the firm has a distinct focus on employment and private client litigation. The firm is also increasingly involved in general commercial disputes. Key names in the dispute resolution team include partners Alfred Ip and Adam Hugill, who led most of the cases worked on during the research period.
How we can help you
- Challenging the validity and enforceability of a Will
- Dispute over who to be appointed as administrator of an estate, including appointment of independent professional estate administrator
- Advising trustee and estate administrator in seeking directions from Court when beneficiaries are in dispute, in particular Beddoe application
- Bringing/defending claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Ordinance
- Disputes among family members as shareholders of assets holding vehicles for family wealth, with one party seeking to be brought out by accusing the controllers of the family company for oppression
- Financial control of vulnerable clients (contentious committee applications) and Mental Health Ordinance applications
Advice
Our clients include private individuals, trust companies and professional administrators.
Our experience goes beyond Hong Kong and we work regularly with foreign law firms in multi-jurisdictional trust and estate dispute.
Insights

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