Partner
Alfred Ip
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.
References
Alfred Ip has been selected for the Global Elite Directory 2021 in conjunction with Legal Week International. The Global Elite Directory is the list of the world’s most respected lawyers advising UHNW clients, all of whom have been recommended by their peers in the industry.
Launched in 2017, the Private Client Global Elite serves as a highly respected global directory of the world’s top private client and trust and estates litigation talent, as well as rising stars within the industry. Each year, they receive over 6,000 nominations, which is narrowed down to just 250.
Global Elite - 2020-21
Praised for its ‘attention-to-detail and proactive approach‘, Hugill & Ip has picked up a considerable amount of private client-related work since its establishment in 2018. The ‘resourceful and knowledgeable‘ Alfred Ip leads the practice and is also noted for his family expertise, particularly as it relates to clients with “non-traditional” family arrangements, including advice in connection with international adoptions and same-sex surrogacy and other parenting issues which are not automatically recognised under Hong Kong law.
‘A strong technical base and comprehensive skill set. I think the difference would be a dedication to customer service.’
‘Hugill & Ip are very responsive to queries and always provide helpful comments and suggestions as appropriate.’
‘They stand out for being a highly-focused boutique firm filled with calm, welcoming, yet effective lawyers who truly recognise and empower talent.’
Legal 500 - 2021
Three of Hugill & Ip partners ranked as Asialaw Leading Lawyers in the following practice areas:
- Adam Hugill for Labour and Employment (Highly Recommended Firm)
- Alfred Ip for Private Client and Dispute Resolution (Recommended Firm)
- Christopher Hooley for Corporate and M&A (Notable Firm)
Client feedback:
“Excellent communication with clients. All issues, decisions, and implications are explained incredibly clearly, in a way that a non-legal person can understand and make decisions on. Extremely friendly, professional and responsive lawyers.” – Dispute Resolution
“Reactive and reliable. The firm is also very friendly.” – Labour and Employment
“Jonathan Gray is an excellent lawyer. Great at communication and explaining legal matters to a non-legal person, so that we are able to make a very well-informed decision.”
Asialaw - 2021
Adam Hugill is recognised as Recommended Lawyer in the category of Leading Employment & Labour Lawyers.
Alfred Ip is recognised as First Tier Lawyer in the category of Leading Estates, Probate & Succession Litigation Lawyers.
They have been identified by their fellow Hong Kong-based lawyers and barristers specialsing in in these areas for their expertise and abilities in the area.
Doyle's Guide - 2020
Hugill & Ip has been ranked by Benchmark Litigation in the following practice areas:
- Notable Firms for Commercial and Transactions
- Highly Recommended for Private Client
Hugill & Ip is recognised for its work in dispute resolution and the firm has a distinct focus on employment and private client litigation. 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.
One highlight saw the firm advise a beneficiary in challenging an action of the professional administrator in his estate administration by selling the family home. The home in question used to be the recording studio of Crown Records, one of the most renowned record labels in Hong Kong in the 1970-80s.
Benchmark Litigation - 2020
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
LexisNexis | Conflicting Wishes of the Settlor and Courts’ Interpretation
LexisNexis | Conflicting Wishes of the Settlor and Courts’ Interpretation https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/wish-advertising-bar-sign-red-blackboard-1325679-pxhere.com_-e1611653487780.jpg 800 597 Hugill & Ip https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/hugill-and-ip-LogoMark_512x512-150x150.png
STEP Hong Kong | Removal of Trustees
STEP Hong Kong | Removal of Trustees https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/snow-winter-road-street-night-asphalt-828825-pxhere.com_-scaled-e1597129258544.jpg 1480 896 Hugill & Ip https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/hugill-and-ip-LogoMark_512x512-150x150.png
LexisNexis | Leading Estates Cases: Disputes Between Beneficiaries and Executors or Administrators
LexisNexis | Leading Estates Cases: Disputes Between Beneficiaries and Executors or Administrators https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/table-game-play-glass-lighting-board-game-760344-pxhere.com_-scaled-e1597128442571.jpg 900 642 Hugill & Ip https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/hugill-and-ip-LogoMark_512x512-150x150.png
LexisNexis | Leading Estates Cases: Disputes Between Beneficiaries
LexisNexis | Leading Estates Cases: Disputes Between Beneficiaries https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/man-fencing-weapon-sword-competition-sports-47179-pxhere.com_-scaled-e1598931261902.jpg 1200 800 Hugill & Ip https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/hugill-and-ip-LogoMark_512x512-150x150.png
LexisNexis | Contesting a Will: Legal Grounds and Proceedings
LexisNexis | Contesting a Will: Legal Grounds and Proceedings https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/aaron-burden-y02jEX_B0O0-unsplash-e1568190722396.jpg 1600 1201 Hugill & Ip https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/hugill-and-ip-LogoMark_512x512-150x150.png
Unauthorised or Unfair Transfers During the Life of the Deceased
Unauthorised or Unfair Transfers During the Life of the Deceased https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/computer-black-and-white-structure-technology-internet-communication-930121-pxhere.com_-scaled-e1598518470194.jpg 800 565 Alfred Ip https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/hugill-and-ip-solicitors-Alfred-Ip_500x700-150x150.jpg
Pitfalls of Homemade Wills
Pitfalls of Homemade Wills https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/wood-red-color-macro-flame-fire-835998-pxhere.com_-scaled-e1596616376714.jpg 1200 800 Alfred Ip https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/hugill-and-ip-solicitors-Alfred-Ip_500x700-150x150.jpg
LexisNexis Webinar | Estate Planning to Avoid Family Disputes
LexisNexis Webinar | Estate Planning to Avoid Family Disputes https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/water-silhouette-cloud-sunrise-sunset-photography-1271075-pxhere.com_-scaled-e1597125491588.jpg 1200 800 Hugill & Ip https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/hugill-and-ip-LogoMark_512x512-150x150.png
Podcast S1E5 | Private Client: Estate Planning & Probate Process
Podcast S1E5 | Private Client: Estate Planning & Probate Process https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/hugill-ip-hdr-senior-women_1920x700.jpg 1920 700 Alfred Ip https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/hugill-and-ip-solicitors-Alfred-Ip_500x700-150x150.jpg
The Impact of Divorce Proceedings on Trusts
The Impact of Divorce Proceedings on Trusts https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/eric-ward-501550-unsplash-e1559639551503.jpg 1800 1200 Alfred Ip https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/hugill-and-ip-solicitors-Alfred-Ip_500x700-150x150.jpg
Trust Focus Week: Breach of Trust and “Anti-Bartlett” Provisions
Trust Focus Week: Breach of Trust and “Anti-Bartlett” Provisions https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/joshua-j-cotten-1341733-unsplash-e1552422052897.jpg 600 800 Alfred Ip https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/hugill-and-ip-solicitors-Alfred-Ip_500x700-150x150.jpg
Testamentary Freedom and Disinheritance in Hong Kong
Testamentary Freedom and Disinheritance in Hong Kong https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/family-yellow.jpg 799 604 Alfred Ip https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/hugill-and-ip-solicitors-Alfred-Ip_500x700-150x150.jpg
The Potential Pitfalls of Mutual Wills
The Potential Pitfalls of Mutual Wills https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/typewriter.jpg 1016 710 Alfred Ip https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/hugill-and-ip-solicitors-Alfred-Ip_500x700-150x150.jpg
Probate Focus Week: Sound Mind, Strong Will!
Probate Focus Week: Sound Mind, Strong Will! https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/annie-spratt-450567-unsplash_1599x900.jpg 1599 900 Alfred Ip https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/hugill-and-ip-solicitors-Alfred-Ip_500x700-150x150.jpg