Vanessa Duff

Vanessa has more than 17 years of experience in advising international and high net worth clients, professionals and homemakers in all family and matrimonial matters. She deals with all issues arising from the breakdown of a relationship, including separation/divorce, financial arrangements, and children disputes.

Vanessa’s expertise lies in dealing with cases which have an international perspective, cases with complex financial issues, and high conflict disputes involving children. A large part of Vanessa’s practice involves international relocation cases and High Court cases of child abduction.

As a qualified Mental Health First Aider, Vanessa supports clients who are experiencing emotional distress or dealing with high conflict litigation. A significant number of her cases involve clients with mental health difficulties, couples from different cultures, same-sex couples, and cases where there is domestic abuse and/or addictions.

Vanessa also has extensive experience in advising on and drafting prenuptial/postnuptial agreements and separation agreements. This is an area of practice which requires sensitivity and tact and often requires an understanding of the interrelation with European marital regimes and marriage contracts.

Vanessa is a native French speaker and can conduct meetings in French. She is the 'go to' family lawyer in Hong Kong for French clients going through Hong Kong divorce proceedings.

Where appropriate, Vanessa is committed to resolving disputes outside of the Court and is a keen advocate of alternative methods of dispute resolution, including mediation and private FDRs. Many of her cases settle well before reaching a trial. She proposes creative yet sensible solutions to clients and is known for her compassion, efficiency and energy and for always going the extra mile for her clients.

Vanessa has been consistently recognised as a “Recommended Family & Divorce Lawyer (Hong Kong)” by Doyle’s Guide. She is also named an “Up and Coming Lawyer” in the Chambers High Net Worth and Greater China Region guides, as well as a “Next Generation Partner” in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific guide for Private Client and Family in Hong Kong.

Her expertise has been featured in a wide range of publications, including Expat Living, Gafencu, Little Steps Asia, Hong Kong Lawyer, Hong Kong Economic Times, Around DB, and Hong Kong Animal Post. Vanessa has also appeared as a guest on RTHK Money Talk and has presented to the New York State Bar Association.

Vanessa grew up and was educated in Belgium and subsequently studied in London and Paris. She is admitted to practise in England & Wales and Hong Kong.