XN000022-1985-03-17 — Page 5

SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 1985

MR MOSS SAID THE INTRODUCTION OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS IN AN INDICTABLE OFFENCE) ORDINANCE 1983 HAD EXTENDED THE SCOPE OF LEGAL AID IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS TO INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF ADVICE TO FINANCIALLY ELIGIBLE DEFENDANTS PRIOR TO COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS AND TO LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN THE PROCEEDINGS LEADING TO THEIR COMMITTAL TO THE HIGH COURT FOR TRIAL.

HE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO CONSIDERING EXTENDING LEGAL AID TO INCLUDE THOSE PERSONS CHARGED WITH PERJURY AND CONTEMPT OF COURT IN THE DISTRICT COURT AND FOR THOSE BROUGHT BACK TO COURT AFTER BREACH OF A COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDER.

A SUPPLEMENTARY LEGAL AID SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN OCTOBER 1984 TO ENABLE THOSE PERSONS WHO ARE FINANCIALLY INELIGIBLE FOR LEGAL AID UNDER THE EXISTING LIMITS BUT WHO ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD THE SERVICES OF PRIVATE LAWYERS TO BRING PROCEEDINGS IN THE HIGH COURT FOR DAMAGES FOR PERSONAL INJURIES OR DEATH.

AT THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF SUCH A CASE A PERCENTAGE OF THE DAMAGES THAT THE APPLICANT HAS BEEN AWARDED WILL BE PAID BACK TO THE SUPPLEMENTARY LEGAL AID SCHEME FUND SO AS TO PROVIDE MONIES TO ENABLE OTHER CLAIMANTS TO PURSUE THE IR CLAIMS IN A SIMILAR MANNER.

APPLICATION FOR LEGAL AID MAY BE MADE AT THE DEPARTMENT'S OFFICES AT SINCERE BUILDING 5TH FLOOR, NO. 173 DES VOEUX ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG OR AT RITZ BUILDING, 8TH FLOOR, NO. 625 NATHAN ROAD, MONG KOK, BUT APPLICATIONS FOR LÉGAL AID IN CRIMINAL CASES MAY ONLY BE MADE AT THE HONG KONG OFFICE.

THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG ALSO PROVIDES FREE LEGAL ADVICE IN CIVIL MATTERS BEFORE PROCEEDINGS HAVE BEEN INSTITUTED AND FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO DEFENDANTS IN CERTAIN CRIMINAL CASES IN THE MAGISTRATES' COURTS AND FOR SERIOUS OFFENCES IN THE JUVENILE COURTS. THESE SCHEMES ARE FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION WHICH IN 1984 TOTALLED $14.83 MILLION.

YEARBOOK RECORDS A MOMENTOUS YEAR ****

—

THE OFFICIAL YEARBOOK, HONG KONG 1985 WHICH GIVES A HISTORICAL RECORD OF A MOMENTOUS YEAR IN HONG KONG'S HISTORY, IS NOW AVAILABLE.

PRICED AT $32 A COPY, THE YEARBOOK IS AVAILABLE IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH EDITIONS FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL LEADING BOOKSHOPS AND DISTRICT OFFICES.

/THE FIRST