No, the Duty Lawyer Service is not part of the Legal Aid Department and in fact it is not even a government department.
It is an independent organization fully funded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region managed by the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong.
What is the difference between the Duty Lawyer Service and the Legal Aid Department?
The main differences between the two bodies are:
The Legal Aid Department is a government department while the Duty Lawyer Service is not.
Except in committal proceedings, the Legal Aid Department does not offer any representation or assistance to members of the public in magistrates courts; legal representation and assistance are offered by the Duty Lawyer Service in all magistrates courts.
The Legal Aid Department can offer legal representation and assistance in civil proceedings while the Duty Lawyer Service does not have such power.
It is an independent organization fully funded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region managed by the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong.
What is the difference between the Duty Lawyer Service and the Legal Aid Department?
The main differences between the two bodies are:
The Legal Aid Department is a government department while the Duty Lawyer Service is not.
Except in committal proceedings, the Legal Aid Department does not offer any representation or assistance to members of the public in magistrates courts; legal representation and assistance are offered by the Duty Lawyer Service in all magistrates courts.
The Legal Aid Department can offer legal representation and assistance in civil proceedings while the Duty Lawyer Service does not have such power.
