XN000022-1993-02-10 — Page 17

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1993

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LEGAL

"FOR EXAMPLE, I HAVE SUGGESTED THAT LAY MEMBERS SHOULD BE INCLUDED ON THE COSTS COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED UNDER THE PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE.

"OTHER OPTIONS THAT ARE BEING CONSIDERED INCLUDE THE REMOVAL OF CERTAIN DISPUTES FROM THE COURTS TO SPECIALISED TRIBUNALS AND THE TRANSFER OF SOME MATTERS FROM THE HIGH COURT TO THE DISTRICT COURT, HE SAID.

ON MR LEE'S SUGGESTION THAT LAWYERS BE URGED TO PUBLISH A LIST OF THEIR FEES AS GUIDELINES TO THE PUBLIC, MR MATHEWS SAID THIS WAS A USEFUL PROPOSAL AND HE WOULD BE GLAD TO EXPLORE THIS WITH MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION.

HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS AWARE THAT PUBLIC BEEN EXPRESSED OVER THE LEVEL OF FEES CHARGED BY LAWYERS TO SOME LEGAL SERVICES.

CONCERN HAD IN RELATION

HE NOTED THAT IN HIS SPEECH AT THE OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR LAST MONTH, HE EXPRESSED THE VIEW THAT THERE WAS A DANGER THAT LAWYERS MIGHT SOON PRICE THEMSELVES OUT OF THE REACH OF A GROWING NUMBER OF THE CITIZENS.

HE BELIEVED THAT, AT PRESENT, MANY PEOPLE MIGHT BE DETERRED FROM OBTAINING LEGAL SERVICES BY THE HIGH COST INVOLVED.

MR MATHEWS TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT HE HAD BEEN INFORMED BY THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID THAT LEGAL AID SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC WERE KEPT UNDER REGULAR REVIEW AND ADJUSTED TO MEET CHANGED NEEDS.

FOR INSTANCE, HE SAID, SINCE JULY 1, 1992, THE FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY OF AN APPLICANT FOR LEGAL AID WAS ASSESSED ON THE NEW "FINANCIAL CAPACITY" BASIS, THAT WAS, AGGREGATE OF DISPOSABLE ANNUAL INCOME AND DISPOSABLE CAPITAL, AND THE CURRENT CEILING WAS $120,000.

A

"THE ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO CURRENTLY CONDUCTING COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE LAW, POLICY AND PRACTICE GOVERNING THE PROVISION OF LEGAL AID SERVICES, INCLUDING THE ADEQUACY OF EXISTING SERVICES AND THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA IN ENSURING ACCESS TO THESE SERVICES, HE SAID.

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IMPORTANCE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY REAFFIRMED

THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REAFFIRMED THE IMPORTANCE OF PROMOTING ENERGY EFFICIENCY, NOT JUST WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT BUT ALSO IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

IN A

WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON DAVID LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR EASON SAID THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAD PREPARED A REPORT ON ENERGY CONSUMPTION PATTERNS IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS, COMPILED ADVISORY NOTES ON GOOD ENERGY HOUSEKEEPING IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND INTRODUCED AN EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY.

/"IT PLANS