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Introduction
The Pro Bono and Community Work Recognition Committee sincerely invites members, trainees solicitors, student members, registered foreign lawyers, local law firms and foreign law firms to submit entries and to nominate member(s)/law firm(s) for the awards under the Pro Bono and Community Work Recognition Programme 2023 (“the Programme”).
The Programme aims to promote and encourage the Law Society members serving pro bono and community work. It also serves as a platform to show appreciation for and recognition of the Law Society members, trainee solicitors, student members, registered foreign lawyers, local law firms as well as foreign law firms who/that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to volunteer pro bono and community work.
There are different types of Awards, please refer here for details.
Objectives
- To promote and encourage Law Society members' active participation in pro bono and community work (the "Work").
- To show appreciation for and recognition of members of the Law Society, trainee solicitors, student members, registered foreign lawyers, local law firms and foreign law firms who/that are actively involved in pro bono and community work.
Definition of Pro Bono and Community Work
Pro Bono Work
- Participation in a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accredited Law Society committee, subcommittee, working group and working party meeting. Members' work discharged by virtue and as required of official positions to which the members are elected in accordance with the constitution of an organisation is excluded. Such work is considered part of the duties which a member is obliged to perform arising from the official position which the member seeks by voluntarily standing for election. This includes the attendance of Law Society Council Meetings. Work performed by a member which relates to such official position but which he/she is not obliged to do is not excluded. In case of dispute over any work to be excluded or included under this clause, the decision of the Committee shall be final and binding on all participants.
- Representing the Law Society as members of external bodies dealing with legally related works, where their appointments are on a voluntary basis.
- Delivery of law talks/seminars/conferences organised by the Law Society.
- Delivery of law talks/seminars/conferences organised by the charitable organisations which are exempted from tax under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap 112); agency members under The Hong Kong Council of Social Service; government departments and other organisations as determined by the Committee.
- Manning the Law Society's Free Legal Helpline.
- Participation in free legal advice schemes run by the Duty Lawyer Service; Free legal Advice Service on Building Management run by the Home Affairs Department (HAD) in collaboration with the Law Society; and the provision of any other free legal advice to other organisations as determined by the Committee where appropriate.
- Conducting entire legal cases which are taken up on pro bono basis.
- Any other pro bono work as determined by the Committee where appropriate.
Community Work
- All community work organised by the Law Society.
- Community work organised by charitable organisations which are exempted from tax under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap 112); agency members under The Hong Kong Council of Social Service; government departments and other organisations as determined by the Committee.
Recognition Period
The pro bono and community work recognised under the Programme should be performed during the period from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023.
