Highlights

The Legal Aid Department (LAD) again extends its deepest sympathies to all those affected by the fire at Wang Fuk Court. Special measures implemented by the LAD for handling the legal aid applications related to the fire at Wang Fuk Court and the relevant information are as follows:

• A simplified version of the application form has been adopted [click here to download the application form].
• The application procedures have been streamlined regarding provision of information and documents, with the aim of making all-out efforts to assist the residents of Wang Fuk Court and other affected persons in applying for legal aid. Assistance would also be provided for applicants to obtain relevant information from banks, insurance companies and other institutions to facilitate the means test.
  

• A dedicated service hotline (Tel: 2867 4516 or 2399 2277) has been established to address enquiries about legal aid and provide appropriate assistance to the residents of Wang Fuk Court and other affected persons.
• Service counters at seven locations were set up from 30 January to 13 February 2026, with our staff providing 21 sessions of on-site legal aid consultation services for the residents of Wang Fuk Court and other affected persons to facilitate their understanding of legal aid services and support measures. About 100 residents and other affected persons were provided with the services.

• exemption of the value of the Wang Fuk Court property from asset calculation,
• exemption of all donations and relief funds received by residents in connection with the fire at Wang Fuk Court from asset calculation,
• deduction of $449,620 (an amount equivalent to the current financial eligibility limit under the Ordinary Legal Aid Scheme) in assessing an applicant’s capital should the applicant reach the age of 60, and
• exclusion of the compensation received for household property loss under fire and home insurance policies in assessing an applicant’s financial resources; and exemption of the insurance compensation for injuries received by an applicant pursuing a claim for damages arising from personal injuries.

We will continue to do our utmost to keep in line with the law, reason and compassion within the current legal framework, so as to ensure that eligible residents and other affected persons can obtain legal aid as soon as possible.