C. Duty Lawyer Scheme run by the Duty Lawyer Service

C. Duty Lawyer Scheme run by the Duty Lawyer Service

The Duty Lawyer Scheme provides legal representation by qualified lawyers to eligible persons in Hong Kong across various courts and proceedings, including:

• Magistrates' Courts: Representation for defendants charged with some 300 statutory and common law offences. The legal representation is provided by qualified solicitors and barristers in private practice. It includes (1) advising the defendant whether he should plead guilty to the charge, (2) making a plea in mitigation on his behalf if he pleads guilty, (3) conducting the defence at trial if he pleads not guilty, and (4) making a plea in mitigation if he is convicted after trial.
• Juvenile Courts: Representation for defendants (except summons cases) and subjects in Care or Protection cases.
• Coroner's Court: Representation for individuals at risk of criminal prosecution due to incriminating evidence during inquests.
• Hawkers Appeal: Representation for hawkers appealing to the Municipal Services Appeals Board against the decision of not issuing hawker license to them.
• Extradition Proceedings: Representation for fugitives facing extradition proceedings.
• Labour Tribunal: Representation for defendants in contempt proceedings in the Labour Tribunal (s.42 of the Labour Tribunal Ordinance (Cap. 25)).
• Small Claims Tribunal: Representation for defendants in contempt proceedings in the Small Claims Tribunal (s.35A of the Small Claims Tribunal Ordinance (Cap. 338)).
• Competition Tribunal: Representation for defendants in contempt proceedings in the Competition Tribunal (s.144(2) of the Competition Ordinance (Cap. 619)).

For more details about the Duty Lawyer Scheme, please visit the Duty Lawyer Service's webpage or telephone 2526 5969.