XN000022-1995-05-11 — Page 4

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(b)

(c)

modify the power of the Commissioner ICAC to dismiss an officer under section 8(2) of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Ordinance; and

make it possible for the ICAC not to keep a suspect on bail longer than

necessary.

End/Thursday, May 11, 1995

AG calls for views on legal services consultation paper

The Attorney General, Mr Jeremy Mathews, today (Thursday) called on members of the public, who use and pay for legal services, to express their views on the Consultation Paper on Legal Services.

Addressing a joint luncheon meeting of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and Hong Kong Coalition of Service Industries, Mr Mathews said in drawing up the Consultation Paper, the guiding principle has been: what is in the public interest?

"We have been at pains in addressing that question to look at it not only from the view-point of the Administration and the legal profession, but also from the community - those who use and pay for legal services," he said.

Mr Mathews said the initial reaction to the report had been very positive. However, comments to date, noted in the media or obtained through the Government's community links, had tended to concentrate on the following four areas:

*

the proposed abolition of scale fees in conveyancing,

the proposal to prohibit joint representation in respect of all conveyancing transactions,

the proposal to allow solicitors to acquire extended rights of audience, and

the proposed introduction of contingency fees.

Mr Mathews said the Administration needed to receive feedback on the other provisional recommendations.