Jocelyn Tsao

Partner | Hong Kong


Secretary Elaine Ho

 

Track record

HK1.4bn award

Advised a very high profile client when she achieved the largest ever award from a court in Hong Kong, namely HK$1.4 billion. This case involved issues relating to s17 applications as well as consideration as to whether or not shares in a business of considerable valuable should form part of the marital assets. It also considered the impact of corporate documents in the context of divorce following the landmark Supreme Court decision in England of Prest v Petrodel. This matter subsequently went to the Court of Appeal and was reported as TCWF v LKKS (No. 1) [2014] HKFLR 1; [2014] 1 HKLRD 896.

Complex case involving wealthy family

Responsible for a complex case involving a wealthy family in Hong Kong in particular successfully applying for detailed specific discovery and running a preliminary case to determine beneficial ownership: LCJWY v LCKS [2015] HKEC 1403 and [2016] HKEC 789.

Family case

Acted for the applicant in a highly acrimonious case involving custody, care and control and access on the issue of custody, care and control, and access. She successfully secured sole custody, care and control and restricted access to the father, with costs. Represented and advised client against the father's false criminal allegations of child abuse: CCAIH and CGCL FCMP122/2013.

Family dispute

Acted for the wife to the Court of Appeal on the main suit. The husband filed a stay summons on the wife's petition on the ground of forum non-conveniens, claiming that the South Korean Family Court was the more appropriate forum. The husband also filed an application to seek leave to file an amended answer and cross-petition. The Court of Appeal dismissed the husband's stay summons. Jocelyn worked with senior counsel from the UK and lawyers from Korea: SJH and RJH CACV 280/2011 [2012] 3 HKC.

Family case

Jocelyn acted in one of the first cases under Section 29AC of the MPPO. Wife sought financial relief from the Hong Kong Court on a divorce already finalised in Macau. The key question in the case was whether the applicant could prove her substantial connection with Hong Kong so that the Hong Kong courts would have jurisdiction to hear the matter: CMC and WPM FCMP59/2012 [2012] HKEC 1257.

Talks

  • 'Protecting ones' wealth in the event of a divorce', Dec 2021

  • 'Pro Bono Hong Kong Seminar on Family Law '- Pro Bono, Nov 2021

  • 'Divorce across multiple jurisdictions' and 'The Protection of Assets in Trusts', Transcontinental Trusts Asia Conference - March 2015

  • '香港律師會法律周:知法守法'', TVB legal programme, Hong Kong Law Week Special - 2011