A5. Aided persons whose financial resources are assessed as between $55,100.01 and $440,800 are required to make a contribution on a sliding scale ranging from $1,102 to $110,200.
Q6. Does the Director have the discretion to exempt anyone from the means test or payment of contribution?
A6. The Director does not have the discretion to exempt anyone from the means test or payment of contribution. However, for criminal cases, the Director may grant legal aid to an applicant whose financial resources exceed the upper financial limit for legal aid if he is satisfied that it is desirable in the interests of justice to do so. Under these circumstances, the applicant has to pay contribution at a higher rate as assessed by the Director in accordance with the applicant’s financial resources.
Q7. What consequences will I face if I provide false information to the Legal Aid Department?
A7. If you provide false information or conceal your assets when you apply for legal aid, you are liable to prosecution and a maximum fine of $10,000 and 6 months' imprisonment upon conviction.
Q1. Do I have to send a hard copy of the report to the Legal Aid Department after submitting it via the Legal Aid Electronic Services Portal (“LAESP”)?
A1. You are not required to send hard copies for Interim Progress Reports, Trial Progress Reports, Case Reports and Fees Reports.
However, for Fees Reports, if you are an assigned solicitor, you are required to send to the Department your original Bill of Costs together with the supporting documents, such as proof of evidence, copies of statements by defence witnesses, vouchers or receipts for out-of pocket expenses incurred etc. to enable the Department to assess your fees.
Q2. Do I have to send the original Bill of Costs/Fee Note to the Department after submitting the Fees Report via the LAESP?
A2. If you are an assigned solicitor, after submitting a Fees Report via LAESP you have to submit the original Bill of Costs together with hard copies of the supporting documents for assessment. The Department will make payment only upon receiving the original Bill of Costs / Counsel’s fee note.
Q3. Do I have to submit a separate Case Report for each aided person if I act for more than one aided person in the same proceedings?
A3. Yes, you have to submit a separate Case Report for each aided person.
Q4. Do I have to submit a separate Fees Report for each aided person if I act for more than one aided person in the same proceedings?
A4. No, you should submit one Fees Report for all the aided persons in the same proceedings.
Q5. Can I submit Progress/Fees/Case Reports of assigned cases in any format via the LAESP?
A5. No, you can only submit the Progress/Fees/Case Reports by downloading the prescribed forms from the LAESP.
Q6. How do I know if my e-report has been successfully submitted to the Department via the LAESP?
A6. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your e-report by our email in return.
Q7. Can I access the e-reports that I have previously submitted?
A7. Yes, you can check the Status and Submission History of e-reports you have submitted via the LAESP.
Q8. What should I do if I want to amend the contents of a submitted e-report?
A8. You need to submit the revised e-report via LAESP again. We will update the information.
