There are different free (or reduced cost) legal advice programmes in Hong Kong:

 

1. Duty Lawyer Service:

- Eligibility Criteria: The Duty Solicitor Service provides quasi-free legal assistance to accused persons at Magistrates Court level.

- Organisation: Duty Lawyer Service

 

2. Legal Aid Scheme:

- Eligibility Criteria: The Legal Aid Programme is intended for lower-income people who are unable to fully cover the costs of a private lawyer. Financial criteria and the merits of each case are evaluated to determine eligibility. Please note, Legal Aid is not free.

- Organisation:  Legal Aid Department

 

3. Free Legal Advice Scheme:

- Eligibility Criteria: This program is open to all Hong Kong residents, regardless of income or financial status. It aims to provide free legal advice to anyone in need of assistance, without financial restrictions.

- Organisation: Hong Kong Bar Association

- Organisation: Duty Lawyer Service

 

4. Assistance programme for people involved in CAT (Convention Against Torture) proceedings

This is a specific assistance programme for asylum seekers present in Hong Kong.

- Organisation: Duty Lawyer Service

 

5. Pro Bono Legal Services Scheme:

- Eligibility Criteria: The Pro bono Legal Services Programme aims to provide free legal services to people who cannot afford to pay a lawyer's fees. Financial criteria and legal needs are considered to determine eligibility.

- Organisation: Pro Bono Hong Kong / Hong Kong Law Society

 

These programmes provide free legal assistance (except for Legal Aid which is not free) to different categories of people, based on their financial resources, financial eligibility and need for legal assistance. They play a vital role in ensuring access to justice for all Hong Kong residents, regardless of their financial situation. There are other programs offered by NGOs and the law faculties of major universities in Hong Kong, with specific specialisations and criteria.

 

Romain Pierre Levaire is registered with various panels offering free or reduced-cost legal assistance services. In some cases you can mention the name of the lawyer from whom you would like to obtain support, but in most cases the lawyer will be assigned to you by the organisation running the programme.

He participates in the following programmes: 

- Duty Lawyer Service

- Legal Aid Scheme

- Free Legal Advice Scheme

- Assistance programme for people involved in CAT (Convention Against Torture) proceedings;

- Pro Bono Legal Services Scheme