#Mainlandization #Regime
Hong Kong Government Appoints Designated Lawyers to At Least 8 National Security Defendants
In Hong Kong, at least eight defendants of National Security Law cases, who had successfully acquired legal aid, failed to nominate the same lawyer who was originally in charge of the case to continue representing them in ongoing court cases.
Instead, they were re-assigned to lawyers designated by the government's Legal Aid Department.
Responding to media inquiry, the Department revealed that, as of 22 November 2021, 29 cases involving National Security Law have been granted Legal Aid assistance. Among these cases, the Government appointed 20 lawyers and 19 barristers, including 2 senior legal counsels.
The Department cited the so-called "Legal Aid Improvement Measures" as a reason, but refused to reveal the date when the new measures would be fully implemented.
Nevertheless, the Department confirmed that the option to nominate lawyer has been removed from the Legal Aid application form. The government claimed that this is "in support of the preparatory works necessary for the Legal Aid Reform".
Source: Stand News; #Nov29
https://thestandnews.page.link/p6XfWgtHsVLDp6vW7
#Court #AppointedLawyer #Defence #LegalAidDepartment #FailedState #PoliticalOppression
Hong Kong Government Appoints Designated Lawyers to At Least 8 National Security Defendants
In Hong Kong, at least eight defendants of National Security Law cases, who had successfully acquired legal aid, failed to nominate the same lawyer who was originally in charge of the case to continue representing them in ongoing court cases.
Instead, they were re-assigned to lawyers designated by the government's Legal Aid Department.
Responding to media inquiry, the Department revealed that, as of 22 November 2021, 29 cases involving National Security Law have been granted Legal Aid assistance. Among these cases, the Government appointed 20 lawyers and 19 barristers, including 2 senior legal counsels.
The Department cited the so-called "Legal Aid Improvement Measures" as a reason, but refused to reveal the date when the new measures would be fully implemented.
Nevertheless, the Department confirmed that the option to nominate lawyer has been removed from the Legal Aid application form. The government claimed that this is "in support of the preparatory works necessary for the Legal Aid Reform".
Source: Stand News; #Nov29
https://thestandnews.page.link/p6XfWgtHsVLDp6vW7
#Court #AppointedLawyer #Defence #LegalAidDepartment #FailedState #PoliticalOppression