Podcast S4E3 | Contentious Trusts & Estates: Family Disputes Involving Companies
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Alfred Ip
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Hugill & Ip is an independent law firm providing specialized legal services for contentious trusts and estates in Hong Kong. Led by Tier 1 private wealth litigators, our dispute resolution team advises high-net-worth families, executors, trustees, and beneficiaries in resolving high-stakes probate challenges, asset allocation conflicts, and trust litigation.
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
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Alfred Ip
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Podcast S3E3 | Contentious Trusts & Estates: Challenging a Will
References
Hugill & Ip is recognised in four different contentious categories in Benchmark Litigation 2026 rankings: Private Client (highly recommended), Family and matrimonial (tier 2), Labor and employment (recommended), Commercial and transactions (tier 3).
The following practitioners are ranked:
- Litigation Stars: Adam Hugill, Alfred Ip, Caroline McNally (also ranked Top 100 Women in Litigation, Asia Pacific) and Kajal Aswani
- Future Stars: Raphael Wong and Geraint Ho
Benchmark Litigation - 2026
Private Client and Family
Hugill & Ip boasts a strong integrated private client, contentious trusts and estates, and family law offering. Under the leadership of Alfred Ip and Caroline McNally, the firm handles a broad range of services, from estate planning and trust advisory to divorce and financial disputes.
The team is particularly notable for its work on recent legal developments such as matters relating to same-sex rights in Hong Kong and cross-border surrogacy arrangements.
Ip is well-regarded for his work in probate disputes, trust structures and estate planning and is supported by newly promoted partner Raphael Wong. McNally handles the family side of the practice, alongside Kajal Aswani; both have significant expertise in high-value divorces and international custody disputes.
Legal 500 - 2026
Alfred Ip is an exceptional legal professional whose expertise and dedication set him apart from competitors. His deep knowledge of family and probate law, combined with a meticulous approach to complex cross-border cases, makes him a trusted adviser for clients facing high-stakes disputes.
Client
Two of Hugill & Ip team members ranked as Doyle’s Guide for Leading Estates, Probate & Succession Litigation, as well as the firm (Tier 1):
- Alfred Ip (Tier 1)
- Fiona Chan (Tier 2)
Doyle's Guide - Estates, Probate & Succession Litigation - 2025
Four of Hugill & Ip team members ranked in 2025 Chambers High Net Worth Guide:
- Alfred Ip: Private Wealth Disputes and Private Wealth Law (Band 1 and Band 2)
- Caroline McNally: Family & Matrimonial (Band 1)
- Kajal Aswani: Family & Matrimonial (Band 3)
- Jacqueline Cheng: Private Wealth Law (Associates to watch)
The firm is recognised in Band 2 for its Private Wealth Disputes and Family/Matrimonial practice.
Chambers High Net Worth Guide - 2025
HOW WE CAN HELP YOU
Our Trust and Probate Litigation Services in Hong Kong
When estate planning structures or legacy family companies face conflict, our experienced litigators protect your interests across these core practice domains:
Challenging Will Validity:
Bringing and defending actions involving lack of mental capacity, undue influence, forgery, or improper execution of a Will.
Executor & Administrator Disputes:
Resolving conflicts over estate administration, including the removal of wayward executors or appointing independent professional administrators.
Trustee Representation & Court Directions:
Advising trustees on seeking urgent Court directions when beneficiaries are in dispute, including Beddoe applications.
Inheritance Ordinance Claims:
Advancing or defending financial provision actions brought under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Ordinance.
Family Business Ownership Disputes:
Managing corporate oppression claims where family wealth holding vehicles or shareholder assets are locked in conflict.
Award-Winning Private Wealth Dispute Resolution
Our contentious trusts practice is consistently recognized for its legal excellence by global independent directories:
- Chambers High Net Worth Guide: Ranked for Private Wealth Disputes.
- The Legal 500: Highly recommended for Private Client, Family, and Matrimonial law.
- Benchmark Litigation: Top-tier recognition across Private Client and Commercial Transactions.
Insights
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TL4 | The Contentious Trusts Circle
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Hong Kong Lawyer | Lessons for Trustees from Dawson-Damer: The Critical Importance of Adequate Deliberation and Proper Documentation
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Trusts and the Impact of Divorce Proceedings
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