PILnet, the Global Network for Public Interest Law, has recently set up a new pro bono referral scheme that connects NGOs with lawyers willing to provide legal services for free in Hong Kong. Prior to the establishment of this service, many Hong Kong NGOs could not afford the necessary legal advice to boost their campaigns, a problem highlighted by Linda To Kit-lai of HER, a charity for women’s projects: “When you look at government policies, they are made up of thick chapters and a long list of tables . . . NGOs are rather a lame duck without the necessary legal background.”
According to PILnet President Edwin Rekosh, participation in the scheme has been very high given the relative lack of pro bono development in Hong Kong. However the scheme's development has raised concerns amongst legal academics regarding lawyer’s indemnity insurance. Currently in Hong Kong, only law firms are permitted to take out indemnity insurance. As such lawyers working within these firms must seek their firm’s approval prior to offering their services for free to NGOs. Eric Cheung Tat-ming of the University of Hong Kong believes the problem needs to be addressed. He has called on the Law Society to set up an independent insurance scheme for pro bono work.
Click here to read a South China Morning Post article about the new pro bono referral scheme.
Click here to read an article by Edwin Rekosh and Tze-wei Ng on the burgeoning pro bono system in Hong Kong.
Irish legal practitioners can help NGOs pro bono through PILA's Pro Bono Referral Scheme - contact PILA Legal Officer Eithne Lynch at eithne.lynch@flac.ie for more information.