Prof. Steven GALLAGHER was invited to give a seminar for the Hong Kong Family Law Association on the subject of customary marriage in Hong Kong on 26 January 2022.

Prof. Gallagher discussed customary marriage in Hong Kong, focusing on the common law’s recognition of customary relationships as “marriage” for the purposes of financial support, evidential presumptions and legitimacy before 7 October 1971. He outlined the characteristics of Chinese custom traditionally required for recognizing the Kit Fat wife, Tin Fong wife, and Kim Tiu marriage, and the union of concubinage.

Prof. Gallagher then outlined the changes brought into effect by the Marriage Reform Ordinance, Cap. 178, including the recognition of pre-existing Chinese modern marriages.