Governmdnt Official 'Recommends' Legal Aid Cases Use Government-Appointed Lawyers Only
The Hong Kong SAR government and the pro-Beijing camp had made numerous accusations that the legal aid system is being abused. #JohnLee Ka-Chiu, the Chief Secretary for Administration, had evaluated the system and presented a series of recommendations to the Legislative Council on Oct 22, 2021.
The report recommended that lawyers for criminal cases be appointed by the Legal Aid Department (#LAD), rather than allowing aid recipients to nominate their own lawyer. Only "special cases" will be exempted, for example when the self-nominated lawyer has represented the defendant before.
They also suggested a limit of legal aid for cases related to judicial reviews, allowing a maximum of 3 cases for barristers and 5 for solicitors.
The government also proposed to "enhance case management". If the LAD believes there is a conflict of interest of the original-appointed lawyer, they will suspend the legal aid or appoint another lawyer. And if the client seeks voluntary legal advice without LAD consent, the LAD will also withdraw the aid.
#LegalAidDepartment #LegalAssistance #RightToCounsel #JudicialReview
Source: Stand News #Oct26
https://bit.ly/3jucdMX
See also:
Protesters' Fund In Support of Hong Kong Pro-democracy Movement Will Cease Operation
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30820
The Hong Kong SAR government and the pro-Beijing camp had made numerous accusations that the legal aid system is being abused. #JohnLee Ka-Chiu, the Chief Secretary for Administration, had evaluated the system and presented a series of recommendations to the Legislative Council on Oct 22, 2021.
The report recommended that lawyers for criminal cases be appointed by the Legal Aid Department (#LAD), rather than allowing aid recipients to nominate their own lawyer. Only "special cases" will be exempted, for example when the self-nominated lawyer has represented the defendant before.
They also suggested a limit of legal aid for cases related to judicial reviews, allowing a maximum of 3 cases for barristers and 5 for solicitors.
The government also proposed to "enhance case management". If the LAD believes there is a conflict of interest of the original-appointed lawyer, they will suspend the legal aid or appoint another lawyer. And if the client seeks voluntary legal advice without LAD consent, the LAD will also withdraw the aid.
#LegalAidDepartment #LegalAssistance #RightToCounsel #JudicialReview
Source: Stand News #Oct26
https://bit.ly/3jucdMX
See also:
Protesters' Fund In Support of Hong Kong Pro-democracy Movement Will Cease Operation
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30820