Hong Kong national security police lodge complaint against lawyers who allegedly took fees from legal defence fund despite claims of pro bono services
- Investigation revealed some solicitors, barristers had allegedly taken money from the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund as legal fees, the force says
- Legal source says some barristers had also received cheques directly from the fund instead of a solicitor, which is not allowed under the profession’s rules
Hong Kong’s national security police have lodged a complaint against lawyers from at least three law firms, accusing them of taking fees from a legal defence fund for protesters despite claims their services were offered pro bono, the Post has learned.
The revelation came as national security officers arrested all five trustees of the now-defunct 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund over the past three days for colluding with foreign forces. The fund, set up to help those involved in the anti-government protests of 2019, had come under the intense scrutiny of authorities over the past year.
Former opposition lawmaker Cyd Ho Sau-lan became the fifth suspect to be rounded up on Thursday. She is currently serving jail terms for her role in illegal assemblies.
The force said in a statement that a criminal investigation into the fund uncovered suspected misconduct by solicitors and barristers in the provision of legal services.
“Police lodged a complaint to the Law Society of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Bar Association in this regard,” the statement read.
A source familiar with the investigation said a few solicitors and barristers were found to have breached the guide to professional conduct when they represented defendants arrested during the social unrest.
“Some barristers told the judiciary that they were providing pro bono services, but had allegedly taken money from the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund as legal fees,” the insider said.
