CITTLTM*
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THE FIVE COMMON CASES REFERRED WERE THOSE ON MONEY AND COMMERCIAL MATTERS (22.8 PER CENT), MATRIMONIAL MATTERS (20.6 PER CENT), COMPENSATION (13.1 PER CENT), LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE (12,8 PER CENT), AND CRIMINAL CASES (5.5 PER CENT).
THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME, INTRODUCED FIVE YEARS AGO, OFFERS FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION ON CIVIL MATTERS TO THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO CONSULT SOLICITORS.
APPLICANTS TO THE SCHEME ARE REFERRED THROUGH THE PES CENTRES AS WELL AS OTHER GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO MEET THE VOLUNTARY DUTY LAWYERS.
THE LAWYERS, EITHER FROM GOVERNMENT SERVICE, THE BAR OR PRIVATE PRACTICE, ARE ON DUTY ROSTER FROM 6.30 PM TO 8.30 PM WEEKLY AT THE PES CENTRES OF SIX DISTRICT OFFICES. THESE OFFICES ARE IN EASTERN, WAN CHAI, MONG KOK, WONG TAI SIN, TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN.
LAST YEAR, ABOUT 200 LAWYERS PARTICIPATED IN THE SCHEME.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SEEK FREE LEGAL ADVICE MAY APPROACH ANY OF THE PES CENTRES. THE STAFF THERE WILL IDENTIFY THE NEEDS OF THE APPLICANTS AND MAKE REFERRALS WHERE NECESSARY.
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE CASE WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE LAW SOCIETY SO THAT DUTY LAWYERS COULD CARRY OUT RESEARCH AND MAKE PREPARATION.
AN APPOINTMENT WITH A LAWYER WILL BE ARRANGED WITHIN 10 DAYS AT THE CENTRE IN ANY ONE OF THE SIX DISTRICTS OF THE APPLICANTS' CHOICE.
BESIDES THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME, THE PES CENTRES ALSO OFFER SUCH SERVICES AS ADMINISTERING OF STATUTORY DECLARATION, REFERRING CASES TO THE RENT OFFICER SCHEME, ANSWERING GENERAL ENQUIRIES ON GOVERNMENT SERVICES AS WELL AS DISTRIBUTING FORMS AND PUBLICITY LEAFLETS.
ANY ENQUIRIES ON THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE PES CENTRES CAN BE MADE TO THE CNTA HEADQUARTERS ON THE 13TH FLOOR OF WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, 7 CANTON ROAD OR BY DIALLING 3-692255.
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