Ted Chan, Chris Wong, and Sabina Sui speaks on complexities of gender recognition and the legal challenges faced by transgender individuals at AAFT
On 30 April 2025, Ted Chan, Chris Wong, and Sabina Sui, were invited to speak at “Legal Recognition of Transgender Rights: Challenges and Progress” (跨性別人士的權利及法律認可), a talk held at the Asian Academy of Family Therapy (AAFT) and shared their expertise in family law and human rights, providing practical insights into the complexities of gender recognition and the legal challenges faced by transgender individuals.
Chris Wong (left), Sabina Sui (middle) and Ted Chan (right)
The talk addressed the current absence of a codified legal framework for gender recognition in Hong Kong. Through case studies such as W v Registrar of Marriages (2013) 16 HKCFAR 112, Luigi Recasa Navarro v Commissioner of Correctional Services (HCAL 93/2015) and Q v Commissioner of Registration (2023) 26 HKCFAR 25, the speakers examined how Hong Kong courts have navigated transgender issues in various legal contexts and explored the ongoing debate on the necessity of legislative reform.
The discussion also covered comparative perspectives, including how the UK and Australia adopt their own legislation and legal instruments on gender recognition. Finally, the speakers discussed case law involving a transgender parent in the matrimonial context, as well as legal considerations for minors seeking gender-affirming treatments.
Members of Denis Chang’s Chambers are regularly instructed in cases involving family law matters. For more information about the speakers, please see the details below.
Ted Chan
Ted has a broad civil and criminal practice. He has been regularly instructed to advise and/or handle probate, matrimonial and mental health cases. In these cases, he has extensive experience in handling cases which require opinion evidence from experts such as psychiatrists and psychologists. Meanwhile, Ted continues to develop a wide range of practice areas including civil and commercial disputes. He is also a CEDR accredited mediator and a part-time lecturer in the law of evidence at HKU.
More details can be found in Ted’s profile.
Chris Wong
Before joining Chambers in 2024, Chris was a Judicial Assistant at the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, where he assisted judges in substantive appeals and leave applications.
Chris is developing a broad mixed practice and accepts instructions in all areas of Chambers’ work.
Visit Chris’s profile for more details.
Sabina Sui
Sabina is developing a broad practice in general civil litigation, with a particular interest in personal injuries and public law matters. She is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin, and accepts instructions in all areas of work.
Find out more from Sabina’s profile.
This article was first published on 6 May 2025.
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.