‘Gentle Divorce’ in Hong Kong: Collaborative Practice Milestones Achieved
In a groundbreaking development for family law in Hong Kong, a dedicated multidisciplinary team has successfully completed the city’s first two six-way Collaborative Practice cases back-to-back, setting a new standard for peaceful and amicable divorce resolutions. This innovative approach to divorce dispute resolution brings together legal, psychological, and financial professionals to support families in reaching settlements without resorting to court battles or contentious litigation.
The team comprised Collaborative Practitioners Joanne Brown and Winnie Chow (Solicitors), Dr Quratulain Zaidi (Registered Clinical Psychologist and Family/Child Neutral CP Coordinator), and Ann Cooley (Financial Neutral and Mediator), all united by a shared commitment to avoid lengthy, costly court proceedings and instead foster respectful, constructive dialogue. Collaborative Practice emphasises addressing the emotional, financial, and legal needs of all parties holistically, ensuring that settlements are fair, sustainable, and tailored to each family’s unique circumstances.
Experienced Family Law Solicitors Joanne Brown and Winnie Chow played pivotal roles in guiding the legal aspects of the cases. Their expertise in collaborative family law and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) helped safeguard the legal rights and responsibilities of each party while avoiding adversarial stances. Winnie Chow remarked, “Having witnessed the destruction litigation can bring to families, I am committed to helping clients achieve a ‘gentle divorce’—one where they retain control over their future and reach bespoke settlements that truly meet their family’s needs.” Joanne Brown added, “At the heart of my practice is dispute resolution through respectful dialogue and creative problem-solving. Collaborative Practice offers a refreshing alternative to contentious litigation, enabling clients to achieve enduring, positive outcomes.”
Dr Quratulain Zaidi (Registered Clinical Psychologist and Family/Child Neutral CP Coordinator) provided vital psychological support, helping families navigate the emotional complexities of divorce with empathy and care. Her involvement ensured that emotional wellbeing remained central throughout the process, facilitating peaceful resolutions. “As a child-focused clinician who has witnessed first-hand the lasting emotional scars that high-conflict, toxic divorce can leave on children, even into adulthood and families, I firmly believe in collaborative practice instead of court and litigation. This process emphasises the shared values of separating parents and prioritises the best interests of the whole family from the outset. It provides a respectful, safe, and supportive environment that protects children's emotional wellbeing, promotes psychological health within the family system, and ensures families navigate this difficult transition with dignity and care.”
Ann Cooley, as the Financial Neutral and Mediator, expertly managed the financial intricacies, delivering fair and balanced financial settlements that protect family legacies and promote long-term harmony. “When families face challenges, they need empathy, structure, and vision for the future. Collaborative Practice helps guide families through emotionally charged transitions with dignity and balance, ensuring that financial settlements are fair and support both stability and long-term harmony.”
The successful completion of these Collaborative Practice cases marks a significant milestone for Hong Kong’s family law ADR landscape. It highlights the power of a multidisciplinary, cooperative approach to divorce—one that prioritises early dispute resolution, reduces conflict, and fosters lasting agreements. This model demonstrates that divorce need not be adversarial but can instead be a dignified, respectful process benefiting all involved.
The dedication and professionalism of Joanne Brown, Winnie Chow, Dr Quratulain Zaidi, and Ann Cooley have not only delivered positive outcomes for the families but also set a precedent for future collaborative divorce cases in Hong Kong. Their pioneering work underscores the transformative potential of Collaborative Practice in family law, offering a hopeful path forward for families seeking gentle, amicable divorce solutions.
As Hong Kong increasingly embraces Collaborative Practice, more families stand to benefit from this compassionate and effective approach to divorce dispute resolution.
