Terms and Condition of Pro-bono Legal Clinic

The following rules outline the terms on which the free legal advice is provided to clients through the pro-bono legal clinic. 

Booking & Session

  • Sessions are limited to 20 minutes and once every 3 months for each client to ensure equal access.
  • Clients must be punctual; late arrivals might not receive extra time. 
  • No appointment will be processed and confirmed if clients are unable to provide sufficient information and documents. 
  • If any client fails to attend their session without prior cancellation (at least 24 hours in advance), they might not be allowed to book another session for 3 months.
  • All sessions must be pre-booked. No walk-ins will be accepted. Clients must confirm their booking and provide any necessary information requested by the law firm in advance.

Pre-Session & Session Conduct

  • Clients must submit the questions and relevant information and documents that they would like to seek advice on prior to the session. 
  • The session will be led by the pro-bono lawyers, and questions must relate to the areas previously submitted by the client. The clients can attend the pre-booked session with a maximum of two other persons.
  • An Alongside representative will be present to facilitate the session and ensure the rules are followed. However, the representative should not be deemed as providing any legal advice.

Legal Advice & Law Firm’s Responsibilities

  • The pro-bono law firm is solely responsible for providing legal advice during the prior-booked session. Alongside acts only as a facilitator and does not provide or endorse any legal advice.
  • The pro-bono law firm reserves the right to decline answering any questions at its discretion. Clients should be aware that not all matters may be addressed.
  • Before providing any advice, the pro-bono law firm will perform a conflict-of-interest check to ensure they are conflict-free to advise the client.

Scope of Service

  • The clinic will only cover questions related to advance asset and estate planning for critical health and end-of-life situations, probate and estate administration, trusts in Hong Kong, wills, and enduring power of attorney, and applications under the Mental Health Ordinance.  Questions outside this scope will not be addressed.
  • Participation in the clinic does not create a formal lawyer-client relationship. Clients requiring more comprehensive legal services or legal representation must separately engage the law firm or another legal professional.

Confidentiality

  • All discussions and advice provided by the law firm are confidential.

Respect

  • Clients are expected to be respectful during the session. Disruptive behavior may result in immediate termination of the session and future booking restrictions.

Thanks for your cooperation.