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The Legal System

Legal Advice Scheme for Unrepresented Litigants on Civil Procedures

The Legal Advice Scheme for Unrepresented Litigants on Civil Procedures under the Administration Wing, Chief Secretary for Administration's Office, provides free legal advice on civil procedural matters for unrepresented litigants. Applicants who do not exceed a monthly income limit of $50,000 or an annual income limit of $600,000 and have not engaged lawyers nor been granted legal aid are eligible. The scheme covers litigants who are parties to civil legal proceedings, including the start of proceedings, in the Lands Tribunal, Family Court, District Court or courts at levels above.

Director of Intellectual Property

The office of the Director of Intellectual Property, established under the Director of Intellectual Property (Establishment) Ordinance, runs the Intellectual Property Department, which operates four registries on trade marks, patents, designs and copyright licensing bodies. With regard to intellectual property, the department makes recommendations on policy and legislation, provides civil legal advice to the government, and promotes public awareness of and respect for intellectual property rights. It also facilitates and promotes Hong Kong's development as an intellectual property trading hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

Equal Opportunities Commission

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) is an independent statutory body that implements anti-discrimination legislation. There are four anti-discrimination ordinances: the Sex Discrimination Ordinance, Disability Discrimination Ordinance, Family Status Discrimination Ordinance and Race Discrimination Ordinance. The EOC's functions include working towards the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of sex, marital status, pregnancy, disability, family status and race, and towards the elimination of sexual harassment, and harassment and vilification on the grounds of disability and race.

In 2019, the EOC received 2,882 enquiries and 953 complaints relating to the four ordinances. A total of 144 complaint cases were conciliated successfully.

Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data is an independent statutory body established under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance to monitor, supervise and promote compliance with the ordinance.

In 2019, the office received 9,182 complaints, 21,574 enquiries and 34 matching procedure consent applications. It also conducted 316 compliance actions and published five guidance. notes.

The office organised 421 talks, seminars, workshops and meetings with stakeholders to promote public and industry knowledge and understanding of personal data privacy, including 34 professional workshops for data users.

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