Hong Kong Legal Aid Approves Fewest Judicial Review Challenges in Decade
The Legal Aid Department approved only two legal aid applications for judicial review challenges against government policies and decisions last year, representing the lowest number in the past ten years, according to the South China Morning Post. The department's director has stated that there has been no change in vetting standards or reduced access to justice.
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According to reports from the South China Morning Post, the Legal Aid Department granted funding for only two challenges against government policies and decisions last year, which marks a 90 per cent decrease compared to 2016. Authorities in Hong Kong approved just two legal aid applications for judicial review challenges against government policies and decisions last year, which is the lowest figure in the last decade. However, the director of the department has dismissed assertions that there is increased scrutiny or a reduction in access to justice.
Annual reports from the Legal Aid Department indicate that the department received 110 applications concerning judicial reviews of government policies and decisions made by related organizations last year, which constitutes nearly a 60 per cent decrease from 2016. The department issued two legal aid certificates for such applications last year, a reduction of almost 90 per cent from 2016.
During an interview with the South China Morning Post on Tuesday, Legal Aid Department Director Chan Chak-ming refuted the notion that the department has implemented a more rigorous method for reviewing applications, despite previous criticisms regarding approvals being too lenient.
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