How we work with clients in Shenzhen
Our Shenzhen office in Nanshan District is the firm's family-law base, helping expat families, mixed-nationality couples and Hong Kong–Shenzhen cross-border families with divorce, custody, property and inheritance. We work in English and Chinese, in person or by video.
Family law in ShenzhenWhich court handles it in Shenzhen?
Divorce, custody and child-support cases are generally heard first by the basic (district) people's court where the defendant is domiciled — for example the courts of Futian, Luohu, Nanshan, Bao'an, Longgang or Longhua districts. Where the defendant lives outside mainland China (including Hong Kong), the court where the plaintiff is domiciled can often hear a status case such as divorce.
Applications to recognise a foreign divorce judgment, and applications under the Hong Kong–Mainland matrimonial arrangement, go to the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court, which also hears appeals from the district courts.
How international child abduction & relocation works with us in Shenzhen
- 1
Confidential first call
A free 30-minute consultation (at our Shenzhen office or by video) to understand your situation and goals.
- 2
Strategy & written quote
Your options, the evidence needed, a realistic timeline and costs — fixed fees wherever the scope is defined.
- 3
Preparation & filing
We draft the documents, gather evidence and file with the competent court or registry for Shenzhen.
- 4
Negotiation, mediation or trial
We represent you throughout and report in English or Chinese at every step, through to enforcement.
International child abduction and China: what parents need to know
Few situations are as frightening as a child being taken across a border without your agreement, or the fear that it might happen. International child abduction involving China is particularly difficult because the usual international return mechanism does not apply to mainland China. This page explains, as of 2026, what the law does and does not offer, how to reduce the risk, what to do urgently, and how to relocate abroad lawfully with a child after divorce.
Mainland China is not a party to the Hague Child Abduction Convention
The 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction allows a parent to seek the prompt return of a child wrongfully taken to another member country. However:
- Mainland China is not a party to the Convention.
- Hong Kong and Macau are parties, so the Convention can apply to a child taken to or from Hong Kong or Macau, subject to the other country's status.
This means there is no Hague return application for a child taken to the mainland. A foreign court order for return is not automatically enforceable in mainland China. Remedies instead come from custody proceedings in Chinese courts, negotiation and mediation, and, above all, prevention. See our glossary entry on the Hague Child Abduction Convention.
International Child Abduction & Relocation in Shenzhen: FAQs
Do I need to meet a lawyer in person in Shenzhen for international child abduction & relocation?
No. Many clients meet us at our Shenzhen office, but most of the work can be done by video, phone, email, WeChat or WhatsApp — including for clients living outside China. Court hearings and some registry steps may still require attendance, and we tell you early exactly when that is.
Can I file for divorce in Shenzhen if my spouse lives in Hong Kong?
Generally yes, if you are domiciled in Shenzhen. For status cases such as divorce against a defendant who does not live in mainland China, the court where the plaintiff lives can usually hear the case. Service on a spouse in Hong Kong goes through the mainland–Hong Kong service arrangement, so allow extra time. We can also advise whether filing in Hong Kong would suit you better.
Do I need to come to your Shenzhen office in person?
No. Many clients work with us entirely by video, email and WeChat. You are welcome at our Nanshan office, but documents can be signed remotely and, in most court matters, we can act under a notarised power of attorney. A registry divorce, however, requires both spouses in person.
Is China part of the Hague Child Abduction Convention?
Mainland China is not a party to the 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention. Hong Kong and Macau are. This means there is no Hague return process for a child taken to the mainland.
What can I do if my child has been taken to mainland China?
Act quickly. The main options are custody proceedings in a Chinese court, negotiation and mediation with the other parent, and support from your embassy. A foreign return order is not automatically enforceable on the mainland, so local legal advice is essential.
How can I stop my spouse from taking our child to China?
Prevention is key: obtain a custody order or agreement requiring written consent for travel, control the child's passports, ask your local court about orders prohibiting removal, and use passport alert schemes where available.
Can I move abroad with my child after divorce in China?
Yes, if the other parent consents in writing or a court approves it. Without consent, you may need to ask the court to modify custody or visitation. Moving without consent can harm your position and may amount to wrongful removal in other countries.
Related guides
Can My Spouse Take Our Child to China? Abduction Risk and the Hague Convention
Mainland China is not a party to the Hague Child Abduction Convention. What that means if your spouse takes your child to China, how to reduce the risk, and what remedies exist.
Read the guideIs China Part of the Hague Convention? Child Abduction, Apostille and Service Explained
It depends which Hague Convention you mean. Mainland China is not party to the Child Abduction Convention (Hong Kong and Macao are), but has applied the Apostille Convention since 7 November 2023 and the Service Convention since 1992.
Read the guideDual Nationality and the Children of International Couples in China
China does not recognise dual nationality, yet many children of international couples hold two passports. How Chinese nationality is decided at birth, what the Chinese travel document is for, and why nationality matters in custody and relocation.
Read the guide