Cap 91 s 26A Appeal from decision of Director in Court of Final Appeal matters (LEGAL AID ORDINANCE)

Contents of Section

Chapter:	91	Title:	LEGAL AID ORDINANCE	Gazette Number:	79 of 1995 s. 50; 25 of 1998 s. 2
Section:	26A	Heading:	Appeal from decision of Director in Court of Final Appeal matters	Version Date:	01/07/1997

Remarks:

Adaptation amendments retroactively made - see 25 of 1998 s. 2

(1) An applicant for legal aid or an aided person who is aggrieved by any order or decision of the Director made in relation to an application for legal aid to appeal to, or to apply for leave to appeal to, the Court of Final Appeal may bring the order or decision on review before a committee composed of- (Amended 40 of 1989 s. 9; 79 of 1995 s. 50)

(a) the Registrar of the High Court, who shall be chairman;

(b) a barrister qualified to practise in Hong Kong who is eligible to be appointed as a judge of the High Court and who is appointed by the Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association; and

(c) a solicitor qualified to practise in Hong Kong who has practised as a solicitor for not less than 10 years in a common law jurisdiction and who is appointed by the President of The Law Society of Hong Kong. (Amended 25 of 1998 s. 2)

(2) The chairman may appoint a public officer to be secretary of the committee.
(2A) (Repealed 25 of 1998 s. 2)
(3) A review shall be initiated by notice in writing delivered to the Director and the chairman within 28 days of the order or decision complained of or within such longer period as the chairman may allow and the notice shall be accompanied by a certificate by counsel practising in Hong Kong stating that the person aggrieved has a reasonable prospect of success in the appeal and the grounds for that opinion.
(4) The committee may-

(a) make such inquiries as it thinks fit as to the means and condition of the applicant and as to the merits of his case;

(b) require the applicant to furnish such information and such documents as the committee thinks fit;

(d) receive evidence and, for that purpose, administer an oath.

(5) The applicant and the Director shall be entitled to appear personally before the committee or by counsel or solicitor and may submit representations in writing. (Amended 54 of 1984 s. 23)
(6) The committee may, if it is satisfied that the person aggrieved has a reasonable prospect of success on appeal, and that it is reasonable in the particular circumstances of the case that he should be granted legal aid, reverse or vary the order or decision of the Director refusing or limiting legal aid in respect of the appeal and may direct the Director to grant a legal aid certificate to him under section 10; and if not so satisfied it shall affirm the order or decision of the Director. (Replaced 54 of 1984 s. 23)
(7) A decision of the committee under subsection (6) shall be final.
(8) The chairman may, if he thinks fit, order that-

(a) such fee of counsel for the certificate mentioned in subsection (3); and

(b) such fees and expenses of counsel or solicitor appearing before the committee under subsection (5),

as determined by the chairman as being proper in the circumstances, shall be paid by the Director out of funds under his control which are available for that purpose.
(9) The expenses of the committee, including such reasonable fees of the barrister and solicitor members as may be determined by the chairman, shall be paid by the Director from moneys provided by the Legislative Council.
(10) The chairman shall give written notice of the decision on an appeal under this section to the Director and to the person who made the appeal and shall adequately state in the notice the reasons for the decision. (Added 27 of 1991 s. 17)

(Added 14 of 1982 s. 16)