Basic Legal Knowledge
Procedures during criminal hearings
Juvenile Court
Arresting procedure, my rights and obligations
Free or subsidized legal assistance
Protection for victims
Punishment and sentencing options
Criminal records and the Rehabilitation of Offenders Ordinance
The Bar Free Legal Service Scheme
The Bar Free Legal Service Scheme is run by the Hong Kong Bar Association. It aims to provide free legal advice and representation in court proceedings (1) where Legal Aid is not available; (2) where the applicant cannot reasonably afford private legal services; and (3) the applicant has reasonable grounds for taking or defending the proceedings.
The free legal advice or representation is given by a barrister in private practice from a panel of barristers who have volunteered to participate in the Scheme. The panel comprises barristers with a range of experience and specializations. Each of them has offered his/her services free of charge for 3 days or 20 hours each year. The volunteer barrister may (1) give advice either in writing or orally in conference on a legal problem; or (2) represent the applicant in court or tribunal hearing.
For more details about the Bar Free Legal Service Scheme, please visit the Hong Kong Bar Association's webpage at http://www.hkba.org/the-bar/free-legal-service/index.html or telephone 2869 0210.