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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
MOTION UNDER CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE MOVED
PAYABLE AID
UNDER
ΤΟ TO ACT
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) MOVED A MOTION CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM FEES BY THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS ENGAGED FOR LEGALLY AIDED PERSONS IN CRIMINAL CASES.
AND THE
DAVID FORD, SAID MOVING THE MOTION, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR THE INCREASES WERE CONSIDERED NECESSARY BECAUSE OF INFLATION DIFFICULTY THE GOVERNMENT HAD EXPERIENCED IN ENGAGING THE SERVICES
AIDED PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS IN LEGALLY
CASES, MAGISTRACIES AND THE DISTRICT COURTS.
PARTICULARLY
THESE FEES WERE LAST REVISED IN APRIL LAST YEAR.
}
ON OCTOBER 16 THE FINANCE COMMITTE GAVE APPROVAL
ΤΟ INCREASES
BE IMPLEMENTED IN TWO STAGES: WITH NOVEMBER 1, 1992 AND APRIL 1, 1994.
OF
IN
THE
FOR THE FEE EFFECT FROM
THE FIRST STAGE OF THE INCREASES, AS PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE HAVE LEGAL AID IN CRIMINAL CASES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) RULES 1992, WILL
BY THE EFFECT OF INCREASING PRESENT FEE LEVELS
A RANGE OF BETWEEN
12.5% AND 50%.
"UNDER SECTION 9A OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE, THE MAKE CHIEF JUSTICE MAY, WITH THE APROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,
PAID TO RULES PRESCRIBING THE SCALE OF FEES AND COSTS WHICH SHALL BE
THE PERSON,"
CHIEF SOLICITORS OR COUNSEL ACTING FOR A LEGALLY AIDED SECRETARY SAID.
HE SAID THE PROPOSED FEE INCREASES HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION WHICH HAD BEEN CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSALS.
THE REVISED FEES WOULD ENABLE THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID TO ENGAGE COUNSEL OF APPROPRIATE EXPERIENCE IN CRIMINAL CASES, HE SAID.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ALSO USES THE SAME FEES TO ENGAGE TO APPEAR IN COURT FOR THE CROWN, THE CHIEF SECRETARY ADDED.
COUNSEL
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