-
What's New
The Departmental Report 2022 of the Legal Aid Department has been issued. Please view it here.
The electronic version of the "Authority for Payment to a Bank" form (GF179A) has been launched for the Legal Aid Department. Individuals who choose to receive payments by direct credit to bank account can apply to do so by filling in an electronic form (GF179A). An activated “iAM Smart+” account with digital signing function or a valid personal digital certificate is required for electronic submission. Please click here to view the electronic form. (Please note that application by paper form GF179A can continue to be used.)
Chapter 7 of the Manual for Legal Aid Practitioners has been updated. New para. 9.3 about the engagement of expert is added. For details, please click here.
Chapter 7 of the Manual for Legal Aid Practitioners has been updated. New para. 6.9 is added and para. 7.2 is revised. For details, please click here.
The Legal Aid Panel Entry Form (Form LAP3 - for counsel; Form LAP1 - for solicitors) and the Data Update Form (Form LAP4 - for counsel; Form LAP2 - for solicitors) have been updated. Please click here to view the new forms.
The rate of interest on the Director’s First Charge registered on an aided person’s home under Section 18A (3B)(b) of the Legal Aid Ordinance, Cap. 91 changed from 1.250% to 2.171% on 1 June 2023 in line with the provisions of the Legal Aid (Charge on Property) (Rate of Interest) Regulation. The new rate will apply from 1 June 2023 to 31 May 2024.
The Controlling Officer's Environmental Report 2022 of the Legal Aid Department has been issued. Please view it here.
With effect from 17 March 2023, the financial eligibility limits for the Ordinary Legal Aid Scheme (“OLAS”) and the Supplementary Legal Aid Scheme (“SLAS”) have been adjusted upwards. For OLAS, the limit has gone up from $420,400 to $433,010. For SLAS, the adjustment is from $2,102,000 to $2,165,060.
With effect from 1 March 2023, the amount of personal allowances to be deducted from income when computing an applicant's financial resources has been adjusted.
For full details of the new personal allowances, please click here.
For more information on how the financial resources of an applicant are calculated, please click here.
The Departmental Report 2021 of the Legal Aid Department has been issued. Please view it here.
The Legal Aid Electronic Services Portal (LAESP) has been enhanced which enable legal practitioners to submit Legal Aid Panel Entry Forms electronically by using “iAM Smart+” account. Panel lawyers can submit prescribed e-reports and e-forms through LAESP by using User ID and password or “iAM Smart”.
The Legal Aid Department announced today (1st January 2023) that the Typhoon and Rainstorm Warning Arrangements for Legal Aid Appeal Hearings and Legal Aid Review Hearings are revised. Please view it here.