Mainland – Hong Kong Signed Arrangement on Marriage and Family Law

 On June 20 2017, Chinese mainland and Hong Kong signed the Arrangement on Reciprocal Recognition and Enforcement of Civil Judgments in Matrimonial and Family Cases by the Courts of the Mainland and of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the “Arrangement”). The Arrangement stipulates clearly the scope and case types of reciprocal recognition and enforcement of civil judgments in matrimonial and family cases by courts of Hong Kong and the Mainland, jurisdiction and applicable laws, required application materials, implementation and explanation, etc.

Due to the differences in the two legal systems and the diversity of marriage and family customs in China mainland and Hong Kong, problems of reciprocal recognition often occurred. Thus, China mainland and Hong Kong signed the Arrangement to ensure parties in the two sides can enforce civil judgment in matrimonial and family cases and to avoid problems of reciprocal recognition in cross-border marriages and families through an explicit and effective legal process.  

The Arrangement can provide clear legal protection for family members and couples and help them better safeguard their legitimate rights. In addition, this Arrangement can also enhance mutual cooperation, mutual understanding and mutual legal assistance between the two jurisdictions and foster the mutual respect to the spirit of the “One Country, Two Systems” policy.