XN000022-1977-03-16 — Page 2

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1977

PROPOSAL TO RAISE INCOME CRITERIA FOR LEGAL AID

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THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS DECIDED TO RAISE THE INCOME CRITERIA FOR LEGAL AID IN CIVIL PROCEEDINGS, SUBJECT TO THE PROVISION OF FUNDS AND THE PASSING OF THE NECESSARY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGAL AID ORDINANCE.

LEGAL AID CRITERIA IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS, HOWEVER, WILL NOT CHANGE.

THIS WAS REVEALED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. KO SIU-WAH.

MISS KO ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED IT DESIRABLE TO RAISE FURTHER THE INCOME CRITERIA GOVERNING THE MEANS TEST FOR LEGAL AID IN BOTH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS SO AS TO MAKE IT MORE READILY AVAILABLE.

IF APPROVED, LEGAL AID IN CIVIL PROCEEDINGS WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THOSE WITH A DISPOSABLE INCOME NOT EXCEEDING $1,000 A MONTH (AS COMPARED WITH $700 PER MONTH AT PRESENT) AND DISPOSABLE CAPITAL OF NOT EXCEEDING $10,000 (AS COMPARED WITH $4,000 AT PRESENT), SIR DENYS SAID.

+ IT IS NOT INTENDED TO ALTER THE INCOME CRITERIA FOR LEGAL AID IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS, HE ADDED.

LEGAL AID FOR CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISPOSABLE INCOME NOT EXCEEDING $1,500 PER MONTH AND DISPOSABLE CAPITAL NOT EXCEEDING $10,000.

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