Divorce applications rose 25% last year and splitting couples had to wait longer to have their cases heard in Family Court, with the average waiting time reaching nearly three months. Lawyers say they’re starting to see some couples divorce much earlier into their marriages, often due to extramarital affairs or conflicts over parenting.

But rising divorce rates aren’t unique to Hong Kong and some jurisdictions, such as France, are starting to make the process less painful by allowing consenting couples to avoid a court hearing.

So is time for Hong Kong to do the same? Why are more people divorcing? And how does it affect their children?

After 9:45, we discuss ESF's plan for a 4.8% increase in school fees.


9:05am-9:45am: Hong Kong's increasing divorce rates

9:05am-9:20am: Eunice Yung, New People’s Party Lawmaker and Barrister 

9:05am-9:30am: Dr Bess Lam, Assistant Professor and Associate Head at the Department of Counseling and Psychology, Hong Kong Shue Yan University

9:30am-9:45am:Jocelyn Tsao, family lawyer and Partner at Withers Worldwide


9:45am-10:00am: ESF's 4.8% school fee increase

9:45am-10:00am: Ruth Benny, Founder of education consultancy Top Schools