Denis Chang’s Chambers Contributes to Be EnGayged Mooting Competition 2026
Denis Chang’s Chambers was pleased to contribute to this year’s Be EnGayged Mooting Competition 2026, which was held on 23 August 2026 at the University of Hong Kong.
This year’s moot was concerned with the recognition of the parental link between a child born to a same-sex couple through reciprocal in vitro fertilisation and the child’s genetic parent. The moot problem was modelled on the two inter-related cases of Re K (Minor) (Parentage: Reciprocal In Vitro Fertilisation) [2023] 5 HKLRD 58 and K (an infant) v Secretary for Justice [2026] 1 HKLRD 517, which Isabel Tam acted for one of the parents of the applicant child. Participants grappled with difficult issues concerning the interpretation of Part V of the Parent and Child Ordinance (Cap. 429); whether certain provisions were constitutional; and if not, whether those provisions should be struck down or remedially interpreted.
Our members had the opportunity to contribute to the competition as Isabel Tam and Gabriel Ho drafted the moot problem and judged several rounds of the moot. It was rewarding to see the participants present such thoughtful and well-researched submissions, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all participants for their dedication and hard work in preparing for the moot.
We are grateful to Be EnGayged for their invitation to assist with the moot and look forward to continuing to encourage future lawyers to think critically about equality, inclusion, and the law, as well as providing them with training and advocacy opportunities.
Isabel Tam
“She’s very articulate and is good at attention to detail. She gives us comprehensive advice that is very practical. I think she’s a good advocate.”
Chambers and Partners Greater China Region 2026
Administrative & Public Law: The Bar and Family/Matrimonial: The Bar
Recognised as Leading Junior in Legal 500 (2026, Administrative and Public Law & Family and private client) and ranked in Chambers and Partners Greater China Region 2026 (Administrative & Public Law: The Bar and Family/Matrimonial: The Bar), Isabel’s practice focuses on family law, public law, and regulatory matters. She has extensive experience in general matrimonial finance and preservation of assets, as well as particular expertise in complex legal issues arising out of LGBTQ/modern families and the dissolution of families with cross-border elements. She has acted as sole counsel in the Court of Appeal, Court of First Instance, District Court, Magistrates’ Courts, and the Court of Final Appeal.
Isabel has been involved in landmark family law cases concerning modern families and LGBTQ rights in Hong Kong. Notably, she represented the non-biological parent in AA v BB [2021] 2 HKLRD 1225, securing guardianship and joint custody for a same-sex couple. She was involved in NF v R [2023] 5 HKLRD 58, a case resulting in a novel type of relief, a declaration of “parentage at common law” for a same-sex parent. Her expertise in family law is augmented by her experience in other related areas including in particular tax (Koo Ming Kown & Anor v The Commissioner of Inland Revenue [2021] 3 HKLRD 642 on liability for additional tax), mental incapacitated persons, and trust claims.
She is a contributor to the current editions of Hong Kong Civil Procedure and Bullen & Leake & Jacob’s Hong Kong Precedents of Pleadings.
View Isabel’s profile for more details.
Gabriel Ho
Gabriel joined Chambers in 2025 after completing his pupillage with Mr. Martin Hui SC, Mr. Eric Leung, Mr. Simon Wong, and Ms. Isabel Tam.
Prior to commencing pupillage, Gabriel was a Judicial Assistant at the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, where he assisted with a diverse range of appellate cases. He obtained his LLB from University College London and his PCLL from the University of Hong Kong. He represented both universities in external mooting competitions, including the International Maritime Law Arbitration Moot.
Gabriel is developing a broad practice. He has experience in matrimonial proceedings, company and commercial disputes, personal injury, public law, and unjust enrichment. He is fluent in English, Cantonese, and Putonghua.
Find out more from Gabriel’s profile.
This article was first published on 1 September 2026.
Disclaimer: This article does not constitute legal advice and seeks to set out the general principles of the law. Detailed advice should therefore be sought from a legal professional relating to the individual merits and facts of a particular case. The photographs which appear in this article are included for decorative purposes only and should not be taken as a depiction of any matter to which the case is related. The views and opinions expressed in this article/material are solely those of the members authoring it and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Denis Chang’s Chambers, or of any other member or members of Denis Chang’s Chambers.