Legal aid chief denies stricter vetting as aid for policy challenges hits decade low

AI Summary

Hong Kong approved only two legal-aid applications for judicial reviews of government policies and decisions last year, the lowest number in a decade. The Legal Aid Department’s director denies that stricter vetting or reduced access to justice caused the decline.

Hong Kong authorities approved only two legal aid applications for judicial review challenges against government policies and decisions last year, the fewest in the past decade, although its director has dismissed claims of tightened scrutiny or diminished access to justice. The Legal Aid Department received 110 applications concerning judicial reviews of government policies and related organisations’ decisions last year, an almost 60 per cent drop from 2016, its annual reports show. The...