The Government said it respects the Court of Final Appeal's (CFA) judgment today of a judicial case concerning the inheritance rights of same-sex spouses, adding that it will seek the Department of Justice’s advice for follow-up actions.

The CFA handed down the judgment in the Li Yik Ho, in substitution for the deceased Edgar Ng verses Secretary for Justice (SJ) case. It is a judicial review lodged by the applicant concerning the inheritance rights of same-sex couples lawfully married overseas under the Intestates' Estates Ordinance and the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependants) Ordinance.

Dismissing the SJ's appeal, the CFA maintained the lower courts' judgments that the exclusion of same-sex couples lawfully married overseas from certain provisions of the two ordinances amounts to unlawful discrimination and is unconstitutional.

While respecting the CFA's judgment, the Government said it will study the judgment thoroughly and seek legal advice from the Department of Justice for appropriate actions.