Home Affairs Bureau’s Recognition Scheme for Provision of Pro Bono Legal Services

Objectives

The objectives of this scheme are to recognize the pro bono legal services provided by the legal professionals in Hong Kong for the community, and to commend those who have made such contributions, thereby encouraging more legal professionals in Hong Kong to volunteer to provide more free legal services to the members of the public.

Categories of Awards

1. Individuals’ Award
   
   

   The following categories of legal professionals may join the scheme:
   - Barristers
   - Solicitors (including foreign lawyers who have registered with The Law Society of Hong Kong)
   - Trainee solicitors
   - Pupils
   

2. Companies’ Award
   
   Any law firm registered with The Law Society of Hong Kong (including foreign law firms registered with The Law Society of Hong Kong) may join the scheme.

1. The pro bono work recognized under the scheme should not be:

- remunerative or involve any financial reward (except acceptance of souvenirs of insignificant commercial value or out-of-pocket expenses such as travelling or meals allowances);

- directly or indirectly related to political or religious activities. The prime concern is the nature of the work, and if the work is not intended to indoctrinate the beneficiaries or engage the volunteers in political or religious movements, the political or religious background of the organizer alone will not disqualify the work. Work rendered in election campaigns is not eligible for consideration for the purpose of this scheme as the beneficiaries are the candidates and not the general public.


2. Hours spent on the pro bono legal service work include the actual hours of service offered to the beneficiaries as well as the travelling time and the hours spent on preparation and follow-up action.

1. Individuals’ Award
   
   The nominated participants will have to provide pro bono service within the recognition period for at least 25 hours in one or several of the following services:
   
   i. Free Legal Advice Scheme of The Duty Lawyer Services;
   ii. Bar Free Legal Service Scheme of the Bar Association;
   iii. Property Management Advisory Centres run by the Hong Kong Housing Society through The Law Society of Hong Kong;
   iv. Personal Injuries helpline run by The Law Society of Hong Kong;
   v. Free legal advice/consultation services provided to the public, the Government or other organizations (including public, private, charitable or non-profit-making organizations but excluding political parties);
   vi. Delivery of law talks/seminars/conferences on a free-of-charge basis (except travelling and meals allowances) organized by the Government or other organizations (including public, private, charitable or non-profit-making organizations but excluding political parties); or
   vii. Legal cases (including legal representation) taken up on a pro bono basis throughout.

   (Any volunteer work which falls outside the above will not normally be considered.)

2. Companies’ Award
   
   The nominated firms will have to demonstrate that they have made significant efforts in providing pro bono legal services in respect of their company policies/visions/missions; and the aggregate hours of pro bono legal services performed by the partners and/or its solicitors and/or its trainee solicitors should exceed 25 hours x 10% of the total number of the aforesaid legal professionals of the firm.

   Example: For a law firm with 100 legal professionals, the aggregate hours of pro bono legal services performed should exceed 250 hours (25 x 100 x 10%).

The pro bono legal service recognized under the scheme should be performed within the period from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

Award recipients will be notified in August and September 2012.

Presentation of Awards

A presentation ceremony will be arranged in September or October 2012.

Enquiry

For enquiries, you are welcome to contact us by:

Telephone: 3509 7091 / 3509 8096
Email: recognition@hab.gov.hk
Website: www.hab.gov.hk
Facsimile: 2591 6002
Mail: Home Affairs Bureau, 13/F West Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong

Procedure and Schedule

Nomination Form (PDF)

Brochure (PDF)

FAQs