The objectives of the Recognition Scheme for Provision of Pro Bono Legal Services (“Recognition Scheme”) are to commend legal professionals who provided pro bono legal services for the community and encourage more legal professionals to volunteer to provide free legal services to the members of the public.
The pro bono legal services recognised under the Recognition Scheme should be performed within the two-year period from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2024.
(a) | Individual Award |
The following categories of legal professionals may participate in the Recognition Scheme – | |
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(b) | Company Award |
Any chambers registered with the Hong Kong Bar Association (“Bar Association”) or law firms (including foreign law firms) registered with the Law Society may participate in the Recognition Scheme. |
(a) | Individual Award | |
Nominated participants have to provide pro bono legal service of not less than 30 hours within the recognition period. Individuals who have provided pro bono legal services of not less than 50 hours will be presented with a Special Award.
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(b) | Company Award | |
Nominated chambers or firms have to demonstrate that they have made significant efforts in providing pro bono legal services in respect of – | ||
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Pro bono work recognised under the Recognition Scheme should not be remunerative or involve any financial reward (except acceptance of souvenirs of insignificant commercial value, honorarium or out-of-pocket expenses such as travelling or meals allowances). The Administration Wing of the Chief Secretary for Administration’s Office has the sole discretion in determining the eligibility of nominees. |
Schemes and services under recognition include –
- Legal Advice Scheme for Unrepresented Litigants on Civil Procedures of the Chief Secretary for Administration’s Office;
- Free Legal Advice Scheme of the Duty Lawyer Service;
- Free Legal Advice Service on Building Management and Free Outreach Legal Advice Service on Building Management run by the Home Affairs Department in collaboration with the Law Society;
- Bar Free Legal Service Scheme of the Bar Association;
- Free Legal Helpline run by the Law Society;
- free legal advice or consultation services provided to the public, the Government or other organisations;
- delivery of talks on a free-of-charge basis (except travelling and meals allowances) in law talks, seminars or conferences organised by the Government or other organisations; and
- legal cases (including legal representation) taken up on a pro bono basis throughout.
Any volunteer work which falls outside the above will normally not be considered.
Complete and submit the nomination form together with supporting documents to the Administration Wing of the Chief Secretary for Administration’s Office (CSO). |
This link will open in a new windowCompany Award Nomination Form[pdf file] |
This link will open in a new windowIndividual Award Nomination Form[pdf file] |
By Email | |
By Post | Room 1921, 19/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong |
Nomination deadline is 28 January 2025. Nominees will be notified of the result by email in the second quarter of 2025.
Awardees of “Individual” and “Company” categories will be presented with a certificate of recognition and a trophy respectively as a token of appreciation. Awards will be delivered to awardees in Q2 2025.
More information is available on the website of the Recognition Scheme This link will open in a new windowwww.admwing.gov.hk/eng/public_service/probonolegalservices.html.
For enquiry, please contact Miss Maggie Lam via the following channels –
The objectives of the Recognition Scheme for Provision of Pro Bono Legal Services (“Recognition Scheme”) are to commend legal professionals who provided pro bono legal services for the community and encourage more legal professionals to volunteer to provide free legal services to the members of the public.
The pro bono legal services recognised under the Recognition Scheme should be performed within the two-year period from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2024.
(a) | Individual Award |
The following categories of legal professionals may participate in the Recognition Scheme – | |
| |
(b) | Company Award |
Any chambers registered with the Hong Kong Bar Association (“Bar Association”) or law firms (including foreign law firms) registered with the Law Society may participate in the Recognition Scheme. |
(a) | Individual Award | |
Nominated participants have to provide pro bono legal service of not less than 30 hours within the recognition period. Individuals who have provided pro bono legal services of not less than 50 hours will be presented with a Special Award.
| ||
(b) | Company Award | |
Nominated chambers or firms have to demonstrate that they have made significant efforts in providing pro bono legal services in respect of – | ||
| ||
Pro bono work recognised under the Recognition Scheme should not be remunerative or involve any financial reward (except acceptance of souvenirs of insignificant commercial value, honorarium or out-of-pocket expenses such as travelling or meals allowances). The Administration Wing of the Chief Secretary for Administration’s Office has the sole discretion in determining the eligibility of nominees. |
Schemes and services under recognition include –
- Legal Advice Scheme for Unrepresented Litigants on Civil Procedures of the Chief Secretary for Administration’s Office;
- Free Legal Advice Scheme of the Duty Lawyer Service;
- Free Legal Advice Service on Building Management and Free Outreach Legal Advice Service on Building Management run by the Home Affairs Department in collaboration with the Law Society;
- Bar Free Legal Service Scheme of the Bar Association;
- Free Legal Helpline run by the Law Society;
- free legal advice or consultation services provided to the public, the Government or other organisations;
- delivery of talks on a free-of-charge basis (except travelling and meals allowances) in law talks, seminars or conferences organised by the Government or other organisations; and
- legal cases (including legal representation) taken up on a pro bono basis throughout.
Any volunteer work which falls outside the above will normally not be considered.
Complete and submit the nomination form together with supporting documents to the Administration Wing of the Chief Secretary for Administration’s Office (CSO). |
This link will open in a new windowCompany Award Nomination Form[pdf file] |
This link will open in a new windowIndividual Award Nomination Form[pdf file] |
By Email | |
By Post | Room 1921, 19/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong |
Nomination deadline is 28 January 2025. Nominees will be notified of the result by email in the second quarter of 2025.
Awardees of “Individual” and “Company” categories will be presented with a certificate of recognition and a trophy respectively as a token of appreciation. Awards will be delivered to awardees in Q2 2025.
More information is available on the website of the Recognition Scheme This link will open in a new windowwww.admwing.gov.hk/eng/public_service/probonolegalservices.html.
For enquiry, please contact Miss Maggie Lam via the following channels –