XN000022-1978-10-10 — Page 2

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1978

LEGAL AID BRANCH OFFICE

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A USEFUL

CHANNEL FOR SEEKING ASSISTANCE

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THE KOWLOON BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT IS FAST ESTABLISHING ITSELF AS A USEFUL CHANNEL FOR RESIDENTS IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES TO SEEK LEGAL ASSISTANCE.

SINCE ITS OPENING IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, THE FIRST BRANCH OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT HAS HANDLED 2,840 CASES OF LEGAL AID IN RESPECT OF CIVIL PROCEEDINGS.

MR. A.J.C. NORTH, THE SENIOR LEGAL AID OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE BRANCH OFFICE IN RITZ BUILDING, MONG KOK, SAID: +THOUGH OFFICIALLY WE ONLY ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR AID IN CIVIL PROCEEDINGS, WE HAVE ANSWERED MANY THOUSANDS OF ENQUIRIES CONCERNING LEGAL MATTERS.+

AT PRESENT, THE KOWLOON BRANCH OFFICE IS STAFFED BY A SENIOR LEGAL AID OFFICER, TWO LEGAL AID OFFICERS, FOUR LAW CLERKS AND SUPPORTING JUNIOR STAFF.

IN ITS FIRST MONTH OF OPERATION, IT HANDLED ABOUT 300 APPLICATIONS FOR LEGAL AID IN RESPECT OF CIVIL PROCEEDINGS INCLUDING CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION IN INDUSTRIAL AND TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, MATRIMONIAL MATTERS, AND WINDING-UP AND BANKRUPTCY PETITIONS.

THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR AID IN THE KOWLOON BRANCH OFFICE HAS GRADUALLY INCREASED TO SOME 440 CASES IN AUGUST. THE NEW BRANCH OFFICE HAS BECOME KNOWN TO MORE PEOPLE IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, AND TO COPE WITH THIS, FURTHER PROFESSIONAL MANPOWER WILL BE GIVEN TO THE KOWLOON OFFICE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

J

THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID, MR. D.O'R. MAYNE. SAID: THE KOWLOON BRANCH OFFICE HAS BEEN A VERY DEFINITE SUCCESS FROM EVERY POINT OF VIEW AND PARTICULARLY IN MEETING THE CONVENIENCE OF RESIDENTS OF KOWLOON, AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.+

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