The Hong Kong Bar Association is preparing to introduce a new legal assistance service program this year, aiming to expand access to justice for more residents.
Bar Association Chairman José-Antonio Maurellet revealed the plans in an exclusive interview with Sing Tao Daily, The Standard’s sister publication, noting that the initiative has been in development for six months and is expected to significantly broaden outreach compared to the previous scheme.
Maurellet, who has served as chairman for over half a year, shared that the association received around 100 legal inquiries from the public in the past year after the old program stopped accepting new applications. These cases covered diverse legal issues, highlighting strong demand for accessible legal support.
He said the new program will address logistical challenges, including staffing, collaboration with NGOs, case-matching mechanisms, and insurance coverage. So far, four NGOs have joined the initiative, with more expected to participate.
In another milestone, the Bar Association will co-host its first-ever international symposium on August 26 with the World Justice Project, focusing on the intersection of anti-corruption efforts and the rule of law.
The event has drawn robust interest, with nearly 100 legal professionals and law enforcement representatives from Hong Kong and overseas registered to attend.
Speakers include Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok, Court of Appeal Vice President Andrew Colin Macrae, and ICAC Commissioner Danny Woo Ying-ming.
A third edition of the Standing Committee on Young Barristers’ International Conference is also scheduled for December, with an estimated 150 participants.
Reflecting on his tenure, Maurellet emphasized the association’s efforts to promote Hong Kong’s common law system globally. He has participated in key legal forums, including the International Bar Association’s Asia-Pacific Regional Forum in February, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association Biennial Conference in Malta in April, and the IBA Annual Leadership Meeting in Milan in May.
Domestically, the Bar Association continues to nurture future legal talent through initiatives like its long-running secondary school debate competition, now in its 21st year. This year’s edition saw 32 schools compete, with the finals held in July.
Maurellet noted that the competition introduces students to legal concepts and encourages critical thinking about justice.
The association has also deepened collaboration with mainland legal bodies, including a newly established training program for Zhejiang’s legal professionals in March, taught by 30 experienced barristers.
A separate three-day workshop on international commercial arbitration was held last month in partnership with the Jiangsu Lawyers Association and Nanjing University.
With the SAR government set to release its next Policy Address in September, Maurellet urged authorities to maintain funding for legal aid despite fiscal constraints.
He warned that reducing support could lead to more self-represented litigants, potentially straining the judiciary.
The Bar Association also plans to resume its annual Beijing visit, suspended during the pandemic, though a timeline remains undecided.
Marco Lam (marco.lam@singtaonewscorp.com)
