Pro Bono Scheme
The Hong Kong Bar Association (“HKBA”), fully recognising the importance of providing timely access to justice for all members of the public, has revamped its pro bono service scheme by drawing upon the experience gathered through the past two decades of services under its Bar Free Legal Service Scheme.
Launched in December 2025, the HKBA’s new Pro Bono Scheme partners with designated non-governmental organisations (NGOs). By leveraging their networks and expertise, the reach of our members who are willing and able to do pro bono work can be broadened, facilitating access to justice to those in need.
They are (in alphabetical order):
- Equal Justice Limited
- Pro Bono HK
- The Clinical Legal Education Office of the Faculty of Law, The University of Hong Kong
- The Community Legal Clinic of SidebySide in partnership with The University of Hong Kong
The above list of partnering NGOs may be updated from time to time. For the avoidance of doubt, there are other NGOs that may offer pro bono legal assistance and members of the public are free to choose which avenue to pursue. However, members of the public who wish to be referred to the HKBA should approach one of the above partnering NGOs. If the case meets the partnering NGO’s assessment criteria, it may be referred to the HKBA for matching with a barrister who is willing and able to do pro bono work in that area of practice, if applicable.
In order to streamline resources, if a request for assistance of a case is made to more than one of the above partnering NGOs or more than once to the same partnering NGO, the case may not be proceeded with for matching. Similarly, if the case has been considered closed by any NGOs (i.e. not just the partnering NGOs), the same case will not be proceeded with if it is then presented again to any of the partnering NGO.
The HKBA reserves the right to determine whether a case qualifies to proceed to the matching process at its sole discretion. In the event of any dispute, the HKBA’s decision shall be final.
NGOs interested in joining the scheme may request the application form by sending an email to probono@hkba.org.
The Bar Free Legal Service Scheme ceased accepting new applications as of 24 May 2024, pursuant to a formal notice issued by the Bar Council on the same date. Henceforth, if you intend to seek pro bono legal assistance, you may contact our partner NGOs.
Last update on: 25 November 2025
