WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1978
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NEW LEGAL SCHEMES TO START OPERATING EARLY NEXT YEAR
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THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY EXPRESSED HOPE THAT THE VARIOUS LEGAL SCHEMES OUTLINED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL LAST JULY TO ASSIST THE PUBLIC WILL START OPERATING EARLY IN THE NEW YEAR WHEN A DETAILED ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE.
THE SCHEMES COMPRISE A DUTY LAWYER SCHEME IN SOME MAGISTRATES' COURTS, A 'QUICK LEGAL ADVICE' SCHEME IN TWO CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, AND THE SCHEME OF APPOINTING CANTONESE-SPEAK ING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO SIT WITH MAGISTRATES IN AN ADVISORY CAPACITY.
BOTH THE DUTY LAWYER AND THE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEMES WILL BE FREE OF CHARGE TO THE PUBLIC WITH THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDING THE ADMINISTRATIVE CLERICAL BACK UP AND THE NECESSARY FUNDS.
SIR MURRAY SAID THESE SCHEMES ARE DESIGNED FIRSTLY TO HELP BRIDGE THE COMMUNICATIONS AND UNDERSTANDING GAP THAT CAN DEVELOP BETWEEN A CANTONESE-SPEAKING POPULATION UNFAMILIAR WITH THE BRITISH LEGAL SYSTEM ON THE ONE HAND AND A GOVERNMENT OPERATING THROUGH BRITISH LAW AND LEGAL PROCEDURES ON THE OTHER AND SECONDLY TO ASSIST PERSONS CHARGED WITH CERTAIN OFFENCES IN MAGISTRATES' COURTS WHO ARE WITHOUT LEGAL ADVICE.
HE SAID: +THOUGH EXPERIMENTAL AND LIMITED, THE SCHEMES HAVE PROVED COMPLICATED TO START OWING TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF PERSONS INVOLVED. WITHOUT THE PUBLIC SPIRIT OF MANY MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE.+
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