1. Basic Legal Knowledge

    1. The rule of law
    2. Sources of law in Hong Kong
    3. Criminal proceedings vs civil proceedings
    4. Solicitors vs Barristers
    5. Brief introduction on the Department of Justice
    6. Different courts in Hong Kong

  2. Procedures during criminal hearings

    1. Normal court procedure in a criminal case
    2. Summary conviction and conviction on indictment
    3. First hearing
    4. Plea of guilty
    5. Mitigation and sentence
    6. Effects on sentencing upon pleading guilty
    7. Plea of not guilty
    8. Trial
    9. Closing submissions and verdict
    10. Trial by jury
    11. Appeal

  3. Juvenile Court

    1. Jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court
    2. Protection to young offenders
    3. Procedure at the juvenile court
    4. Restrictions on punishment of young offenders
    5. Sentencing principles
    6. Sentencing

  4. Arresting procedure, my rights and obligations

    1. Introduction
    2. Stopping and questioning by the police in a public place
    3. The right to silence
    4. Stopping and searching by the police in a public place
    5. Consequences on refusing to cooperate with the police
    6. Arresting a person
    7. Rights after arrest
    8. Detention of arrested persons
    9. Taking statements
    10. Bail of arrested persons
    11. Separation of young persons in police stations and in courts
    12. Lodging complaints against the police

  5. Free or subsidized legal assistance

    1. Introduction to some of the legal assistance available in Hong Kong
    2. Legal Aid Scheme for criminal cases
    3. Duty Lawyer Scheme
    4. The Bar Free Legal Service Scheme
    5. Free Legal Advice Scheme
    6. Exclusions
    7. Tel-Law Scheme

  6. Protection for victims

    1. Rights of victims
    2. Child Witnesses
    3. Vulnerable witnesses
    4. Video recorded evidence
    5. Evidence by live television link
    6. Depositions

  7. Punishment and sentencing options

    1. Introduction
    2. Imprisonment
    3. Suspended sentence
    4. Community Service Order
    5. Probation Order
    6. Detention Centre Order
    7. Training Centre Order
    8. Rehabilitation Centre Order
    9. Reformatory School
    10. Remand Home
    11. Hospital Order
    12. Drug Addiction Treatment Centre Order
    13. Fine
    14. Compensation Order
    15. Restitution Order
    16. Forfeiture
    17. Disqualification from driving
    18. Binding over
    19. Discharge (with or without conditions)
    20. Orders against parents or guardians
    21. Superintendent caution
    22. Deletion of criminal record

  8. Criminal records and the Rehabilitation of Offenders Ordinance

    1. Criminal records
    2. Fixed penalty tickets
    3. Bind Overs
    4. Police Superintendent's Discretion Scheme
    5. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Ordinance
    6. The RHO and suspended sentences
    7. The RHO and Orders for Detention
    8. The RHO and Community Service Orders
    9. The RHO and Probation Order
    10. The RHO and Sexual Conviction Record Check Scheme
    11. Implications of Spent Convictions
    12. Disclosure of spent convictions in court proceedings
    13. Situations Where Spent Convictions Must be Disclosed
    14. Penalties for wrongful disclosure of spent convictions
    15. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Ordinance applies only to Hong Kong
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Free Legal Advice Scheme

The Free Legal Advice Scheme is run by the Duty Lawyer Service. It provides free preliminary legal advice to members of the public regarding their legal position in genuine cases. The Scheme will not offer legal representation to the clients. There is no means test (assessment of your financial status) and the service is absolutely free of charge.

All the lawyers giving advice to members of the public through the Free Legal Advice Scheme are qualified solicitors or barristers who join the Scheme on a volunteer basis. In general, the volunteer lawyer on duty will give one-off oral legal advice to help the client understand the nature of his problem, his rights and obligations under the law, and the channels available for resolution. The advice session usually lasts for about 20 to 30 minutes. Advice given is of a general and preliminary nature. The volunteer lawyer cannot be expected to embark on a full analysis of the merits of a complicated case or to provide in-depth advice.

For more details about the Free Legal Advice Scheme, please visit the Duty Lawyer Service's webpage at http://www.dutylawyer.org.hk/en/free/free.asp or telephone 2526 5969.

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