Pro Bono Practice and Opportunities in Hong Kong

Overview

Recognising the significant need for pro bono legal assistance in Hong Kong in light of the high cost of legal services and limits of the traditional legal aid system, Hong Kong’s legal community continues to strengthen their pro bono work. International and local law firms as well as barristers are reported to have boosted their pro bono efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic period.[1] There are established pro bono programs run by local non-governmental organisations in collaboration with law firms, which is conducive for the regular and systematic provision of pro bono legal services.

In Hong Kong, the development of pro bono pro bono is also supported by ongoing quarterly Pro Bono Roundtables [2] coordinated by organisations like PILnet, which bring together law firms, in‑house counsel, NGOs and academics to share best practices, discuss topical issues such as women’s access to justice, and strengthen collaboration across the pro bono community to expand legal support for those in need [3][4].

According to the 2024 TrustLaw Index of Pro Bono [5], pro bono engagement among law firms with offices in Hong Kong has been rising — with the average hours of pro bono work per fee earner increasing slightly and a larger share of lawyers volunteering (about 50% in 2024 vs 46% in 2022) — reflecting a strengthening culture of voluntary legal service in the city, supported by infrastructure like the CLIX pro bono portal [6] and events such as Hong Kong Pro Bono Week [7] that help connect lawyers with community needs.

Download Hong Kong Report (PDF)

At a glance

Minimum pro bono hours requirement for lawyers? Specific pro bono licence required? May foreign lawyers practice pro bono? Insurance required for law firm pro bono? Insurance required for in-house counsel pro bono? Rules to limit advertising pro bono work? Does pro bono work count to CLE credit? Limitations for in-house lawyers to do pro bono?
No No Yes Yes Yes No No Yes

Pro bono practice and opportunities

1. Describe the laws or rules that regulate the provision of legal services, including any licensing required to provide legal services. Please highlight any differences for lawyers working as in-house counsel.

Hong Kong lawyers practise either as barristers or solicitors, but not both. [8] The Law Society of Hong Kong [9] (the “Law Society”) is the professional association responsible for regulating solicitors, the Hong Kong Bar Association (the “Bar Association”)[10] being the equivalent association for regulating barristers. Legal Practitioners Ordinance (Cap. 159)[11] (“LPO”) regulates the provision of legal services in Hong Kong.

Section 7 of the LPO provides that, in order to be qualified to act as a solicitor in Hong Kong, a person needs to be:

  • on the roll of solicitors;
  • not suspended from practice;
  • in possession of a current practising certificate; and
  • in compliance with or being exempted from the indemnity rules made by the Council of the Law Society.

An in-house counsel who is a Hong Kong qualified solicitor is known as “employed solicitor”, and an employed solicitor is only allowed to work for his or her employer or its related body.[12]

Barristers are legal practitioners, experts in advocacy and litigation.[13] A candidate becomes qualified for admission as a barrister in Hong Kong if they are:

  • a holder of a Postgraduate Certificate in Law;
  • a solicitor in Hong Kong; or
  • an overseas lawyer.[14]

A qualified solicitor in Hong Kong must have been admitted for at least three years before submitting an application for admission as a barrister. In addition to these qualifications, all candidates must also undertake pupillage for six months before they are admitted as barristers, and another additional six months before they are able to practise as barristers.[15]

Barristers are generally instructed through solicitors.[16] Typically, only barristers have the right of audience [17] in the Court of Appeal and the Court of Final Appeal.[18]

Lawyers qualified in jurisdictions outside of Hong Kong may apply to be a registered foreign lawyer (“RFL”) in order to offer legal advice to the public as a practitioner of foreign law.

Foreign lawyers employed as in-house counsel are however unable to register as a RFL with the Law Society. Foreign lawyers, whether registered or not, are prohibited from practising Hong Kong law.[19]

Regulatory landscape for pro bono

2. Describe the laws or rules that regulate the provision of pro bono legal services.

The primary rules that regulate the provision of pro bono legal services are the regulatory and insurance requirements applicable to legal practitioners in Hong Kong. Otherwise, the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society impose few barriers on pro bono legal services.

3. Do lawyers need a licence to provide pro bono legal services (beyond the usual local qualification to practice law)?

No specific licence is required for Hong Kong-qualified lawyers to provide pro bono legal services.For in-house counsel who are Hong Kong-qualified lawyers, they will need to pay extra attention to the regulatory and insurance requirements before providing pro bono legal services to the public.[20]

4. Do foreign-qualified lawyers need any additional license to provide pro bono services (beyond their foreign qualification to practice law)?

No specific licence is required for RFLs to provide pro bono legal services. However, RFLs are prohibited from advising on Hong Kong law.

For in-house foreign-qualified lawyers, since they are unable to register as RFLs, they are unable to provide legal services to the public. That said, foreign-qualified lawyers (registered or not), may still assist or partner with Hong Kong-qualified lawyers on pro bono work pertaining to Hong Kong law issues (by utilising a lawyer’s general legal and professional knowledge and skills), provided that all Hong Kong law-related work is done by a Hong Kong-qualified lawyer and that any unregistered foreign lawyer does not effectively offer legal services to the public.

5. Are lawyers required by such rules to work a minimum number of pro bono hours? If so, how many?

There are no mandatory requirements on lawyers to work a minimum number of pro bono hours in Hong Kong.

6. Are aspiring lawyers required to complete a minimum number of hours of pro bono legal services to become licensed lawyers?

Aspiring lawyers in Hong Kong are not required to complete a minimum number of hours of pro bono legal services in order to become licenced lawyers.

7. Aside from mandatory targets (if any), are there aspirational pro bono hours targets for lawyers set by the local bar association, regulatory body, or other body?

The Law Society provides individual recognition for lawyers who work on pro bono matters for more than 100 hours (Gold Award), 50 hours (Silver Award), and 20 hours (Bronze Award).[21]

8. Do lawyers receive any “Continuing Legal Education” (CLE) or equivalent credit for pro bono hours worked?

Lawyers do not usually receive Continuing Professional Development credit for pro bono hours worked in Hong Kong. However, the Law Society ordinarily accredits training courses provided by non-governmental organisations on pro bono work, such as those organised by the Justice Centre, with Continuing Professional Development points, provided that the courses meet the accreditation criteria [22].

Insurance and advertising

9. Do lawyers need professional indemnity legal insurance cover for pro bono legal services they provide? Does the requirement differ for in-house lawyers? If insurance is required, can lawyers meet the requirement by working under the cover of another pro bono provider, e.g., in partnership with a private law firm or organisation working on the same pro bono project?

Rule 6(1) of the Solicitors (Professional Indemnity) Rules (Cap. 159M) provides that every solicitor who is, or held out to the public as, a solicitor in practise in Hong Kong shall be required to have and maintain Indemnity (which refers to the Professional Indemnity Scheme of the Law Society (“PIS”)”, subject to certain exemptions as set out in Rule 7.

The PIS provides compulsory professional indemnity to Hong Kong law firms against losses arising from civil liability incurred in connection with their practices. The limit of indemnity under the PIS is HK$20 million per claim, for all claims first made on or after 1 October 2019.[23] The PIS is only available to law firms and Hong Kong-qualified lawyers, and so in-house lawyers cannot meet such indemnity rules.

As noted, in-house solicitors are only allowed to work for his or her employer or its related body, therefore, they are not required to maintain indemnity under the PIS.[24] Employers can decide whether to purchase professional indemnity (“PI”) cover regarding the employed solicitor’s work.

If in-house Hong Kong-qualified lawyers want to offer legal advice or represent external clients (not their employer) on a pro bono basis, they will need to obtain an exemption under Rule 7 of the Solicitors (Professional Indemnity) Rules (Cap. 159M), which essentially requires the in-house lawyers to obtain PI insurance coverage equivalent to that of the PIS. Alternatively, in-house counsel can partner with law firms on pro bono projects, with all activities conducted under such firms’ supervision.[25]

Practising barristers must subscribe to the Bar Association’s Master Professional Indemnity Policy.[26]

10. Are there any rules that limit or prohibit advertising of pro bono successes or soliciting new pro bono clients?

There are no specific rules in Hong Kong that prohibit advertising of pro bono successes or soliciting new pro bono clients. That said, any marketing activities conducted by solicitors should be conducted in accordance with the Solicitors’ Practice Promotion Code [27]; and barristers engaging in advertising or promotion in connection with their practice should comply with the Bar Association Code of Conduct.[28]

Pro bono practice and culture

11. What are the main areas of law that require or present opportunities for pro bono? What are the major unmet legal needs?

Family Law:

Family law remains a critical area for pro bono legal services in Hong Kong, particularly concerning issues such as divorce, child custody, and domestic violence. According to the 2023 Annual Report published by Pro Bono HK (a Hong Kong-based non-governmental organization and registered charity), family cases took up the largest percentage of pro bono cases they handled in 2023.[29]

Immigration and Asylum:

Immigration and asylum cases are also a major area of unmet legal needs. Hong Kong is known for having a stringent asylum policy, indicated by the general 1% success rate of asylum claims.[30] People who seek asylum protection often face language barriers and poor financial conditions, while government-funded legal representation is very limited.

12. Who are the main providers of pro bono legal services?

In Hong Kong, there are four primary providers of pro bono legal services:

The Duty Lawyer Service:

  • The Duty Lawyer Service is an organisation fully subsidised by the Hong Kong government and is managed by the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society through a governing counsel. It operates the Free Legal Advice Scheme, through which volunteer lawyers will provide one-time preliminary legal advice at various District Offices or Home Affairs Enquiry Centers in Hong Kong without a means test, but it does not include follow-up services or representation.[31]

Law Society and Bar Association Initiatives:

  • The Law Society’s Pro Bono Committee encourages involvement in pro bono activities and oversees several initiatives, such as Free Legal Consultation Service and Free Legal Helpline.[32] The Bar Association’s Bar Free Legal Service Scheme offers legal advice and representation when legal aid is not available. However, the scheme is not currently open to new applications given its limited resources.[33]

Non Governmental Organisations:

  1. The Justice Centre Hong Kong [34] focuses on providing pro bono legal assistance to forced migrants, such as refugees and survivors of torture, ensuring they have access to fair procedures for refugee status determination.[35]
  2. PILnet, a global network dedicated to public interest law, has been facilitating a pro bono clearinghouse in Hong Kong since 2013, linking non-governmental organisations requiring legal assistance with pro bono service providers.[36]
  3. Pro Bono HK [37] offers a monthly legal clinic in Sham Shui Po, addressing diverse legal issues including sham marriages, child custody, prisoner rights, criminal appeals, immigration, refugee claims, property rights, sentencing, traffic accidents, deaths in custody, coronial inquests, guardianship orders, wills and probate, and legal aid applications.
  4. HELP for Domestic Helpers leverages the pro bono support of the legal community to aid foreign domestic workers [38], partnering with lawyers from various firms and companies to provide legal guidance. It had provided advice and support to over 1,400 domestic workers in 2023.[39]

University Legal Clinics:

The University of Hong Kong provides preliminary legal advice to the public through the Free Legal Advice Scheme run by the Duty Lawyer Service.

13. Are there any noteworthy examples of how innovative technology or artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to enable access to pro bono or otherwise as part of pro bono cases or matters?

The “HK Asylum Guide” app is a simple step-by-step guide for refugees on the application process for non-refoulement protection in Hong Kong, and the guide is now available in 11 languages. It gives refugees in Hong Kong increased access to their legal rights and enables a greater capacity to focus on critical assistance.[40]

CLIX is a digital portal that connects pro bono lawyers with community impact organisations in Hong Kong, such as non-governmental organisations and social enterprises (and their clients) who need legal support, by posting matters onto the portal which automatically email new matters to all CLIX users, filtered according to each legal team’s preferred areas of law.[41]

Migrasia, an NGO that works to eliminate forced labor, launched a generative AI chat bot called Pobot. Pobot was developed with the support of Linklaters Asia. The chatbot enhances migrant resilience by providing multilingual, context-aware assistance to workers navigating legal, financial, and health challenges. This tool is particularly critical for migrants who face unsafe migration routes, labour exploitation, and legal vulnerabilities [42].

Sources of pro bono opportunities and key contacts

14. Describe notable sources of pro bono matters or resources in your jurisdiction.

Governmental Sources:

The Duty Lawyer Service operates the Free Legal Advice Scheme where solicitor volunteers provide preliminary and one-off legal advice to the member of the public. There are nine District Offices or Home Affairs Enquiry Centers where the legal advice centers operate, and such centers operate one to three times a week depending on the location. Each lawyer interviews around five cases each evening and each case is allocated with a slot of 20 to 30 minutes.[43]

The Law Society’s website features a pro bono page listing various pro bono opportunities [44], such as:

  1. Free Legal Consultation Service conducted by the Law Society, where participating law firms offer an initial free consultation of up to 45 minutes in 24 practice areas, and
  2. Free Legal Helpline, which provides free legal advice to the public on personal injuries, matrimonial law, criminal law, and mediation, with solicitor volunteers having at least three years of experience in the relevant field.

The Bar Association manages the Bar Free Legal Service Scheme, which offers free legal advice and representation in cases where legal aid is unavailable or unaffordable, and where assistance is deemed necessary. Volunteer barristers are listed on a panel, each committing to provide their services free of charge for three days or 20 hours annually.

Non-Governmental Sources:

  • Non-governmental organisations like the Justice Centre, Pro Bono HK, and HELP for Domestic Helpers offer a range of pro bono programs for lawyers and law firms to participate.
  • For example, Pro Bono HK runs Community Legal Clinics online and in person in partnership with local charities on a monthly basis.[45]
  • PILnet operates a pro bono clearinghouse in Hong Kong, regularly distributing lists of potential pro bono opportunities to legal service providers, detailing the needs of various non-governmental organisations.
  • CLIX is a digital portal that matches pro bono lawyers with community impact organisations in Hong Kong.
  • Hong Kong Pro Bono Roundtable is a quarterly event coordinated by PILnet that connects law firms, in-house legal teams, barristers, law schools and non-governmental organisations. Each meeting lasts for 1.5 hours and includes discussions on a substantive topic, practice pointers and group discussions.[46]
15. Is there any public or private organisation with which a local or foreign lawyer can register to be made aware of pro bono opportunities?

Both local and foreign lawyers may join TrustLaw [47], PILnet’s Hong Kong Pro Bono Clearinghouse [48] and CLIX pro bono services matching portal.[49] They collaborate with non-governmental organisations and regularly send out pro bono opportunities.

16. Are there any awards, lists, or rankings related to pro bono work?

There are several widely recognised awards in relation to pro bono work, including:

  1. Recognition Scheme for Provision of Pro Bono Legal Services [50]; and
  2. Pro Bono and Community Work Recognition Program organised by the Law Society [51].

References

  1. TrustLaw Index of Pro Bono 2022, Hong Kong, https://pbi.trust.org/data/?year=2022 (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  2. https://www.pilnet.org/hong-kong-pro-bono-roundtable/?utm_
  3. https://www.pilnet.org/hong-kong-pro-bono-roundtable/?utm_ (last viewed of 22 January 2026).
  4. https://www.trust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2024-TrustLaw-Index-of-Pro-Bono.pdf?utm_ (Last viewed on 22 January 2026).
  5. https://www.trust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2024-TrustLaw-Index-of-Pro-Bono.pdf?utm_
  6. https://www.clixhk.org/
  7. https://probonoweek.org.hk/
  8. The Department of Justice of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, The Legal System in Hong Kong, http://www.doj.gov.hk/eng/legal/ (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  9. The Law Society of Hong Kong, https://www.hklawsoc.org.hk/en/About-the-Society (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  10. Hong Kong Bar Association, https://www.hkba.org/ (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  11. Legal Practitioners Ordinance (Cap. 159), available at https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap159 (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  12. Practice Direction N – Employed Solicitors, available at https://www.hklawsoc.org.hk/-/media/HKLS/Home/Support-Member/Professional-Support/Vol-2-Eng/V-2-CH-24.pdf (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  13. Hong Kong Bar Association, About Us, https://www.hkba.org/about-us (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  14. Legal Practitioners Ordinance, Section 27, available at http://www.hklii.hk/eng/hk/legis/ord/159/s27.html (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  15. Barristers (Qualification for Admission and Pupilage) Rules (Cap. 159AC), Rule 4, available at http://www.hklii.hk/eng/hk/legis/reg/159AC/s4.html (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  16. Hong Kong Bar Association’s Code of Conduct, paragraph 5.16, available at https://www.hkba.org/content/code-conduct (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  17. A right of audience is a right of lawyers to appear and conduct proceedings in court on behalf of their client.
  18. Hong Kong Bar Association, About Us, https://www.hkba.org/about-us (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  19. Foreign Lawyers Registration Rules, Section 12, available at http://www.hklii.hk/eng/hk/legis/reg/159S/s12.html (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  20. https://www.hk-lawyer.org/content/struggle-work-free?utm_
  21. The Law Society of Hong Kong, Awards Categories, https://www.hklawsoc.org.hk/en/Serve-the-Public/Pro-Bono/AwardCategory (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  22. The Law Society of Hong Kong, Accreditation of CPD Courses, https://www.hklawsoc.org.hk/en/Support-Members/Professional-Support/Continuing-Professional-Development-Scheme/Accreditation-of-CPD-Courses (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  23. Solicitors (Professional Indemnity) Rules (Cap. 159M), Schedule 3, Section 2(1), available at https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap159M?xpid=ID_1438402755643_001 (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  24. Practice Direction N – Employed Solicitors, available at https://www.hklawsoc.org.hk/-/media/HKLS/Home/Support-Member/Professional-Support/Vol-2-Eng/V-2-CH-24.pdf (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  25. Staranise, “Expanding In-House Lawyers’ Horizons with Pro Bono Legal Opportunities”, available at: https://www.staranise.com.hk/knowledge-hub/pro-bono/expanding-in-house-lawyers%E2%80%99-horizons-with-pro-bono-legal-opportunities.html (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  26. Hong Kong Bar Association’s Code of Conduct, paragraph 5.3, available at https://www.hkba.org/content/code-conduct (last viewed on 13 November 2025). See also HK Bar Professional Indemnity Insurance at https://hkbarinsurance.com/ (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  27. Hong Kong Solicitors’ Practice Promotion Code, available at https://www.hklawsoc.org.hk/-/media/HKLS/Home/Support-Member/Professional-Support/Vol-2-Eng/V-2-CH-25.pdf?rev=dfe0a8f37d274d61b51b61d771baccd8 (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  28. Hong Kong Bar Association’s Code of Conduct, Chapter 8 on Practice Promotion, available at https://www.hkba.org/content/code-conduct (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  29. Pro Bono HK, “2023 Annual Report”, available at https://www.probonohk.org/_files/ugd/6e0bc4_cb36116084c149648e632b54e8098928.pdf?index=true (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  30. Justice Centre Hong Kong, “Impact Report July 2023 – June 2024”, available at: https://www.justicecentre.org.hk/framework/uploads/2024/10/Justice-Centre-Hong-Kong-Impact-Report-2024-1.pdf (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  31. The Duty Lawyer Service, About Us, http://www.dutylawyer.org.hk/en/about/aim.asp (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  32. Law Society of Hong Kong, Pro Bono Services, https://www.hklawsoc.org.hk/en/serve-the-public/list-of-pro-bono-legal-services/probonoservice (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  33. Hong Kong Bar Association, Bar Free Legal Services Scheme, https://www.hkba.org/content/bar-free-legal-service-scheme (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  34. Justice Centre Hong Kong, http://www.justicecentre.org.hk/ (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  35. Justice Centre Hong Kong, What We Do, https://www.justicecentre.org.hk/what-we-do/ (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  36. PILnet, Where We Work, https://www.pilnet.org/about/what-we-do/ (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  37. Pro Bono HK, http://www.probono.org.hk/ (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  38. HELP for Domestic Helpers, http://helpfordomesticworkers.org/en/home/ (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  39. HELP for Domestic Helpers, Our Impact, https://helpfordomesticworkers.org/impact-numbers/ (last viewed on 13 November).
  40. Freshfields, “Legal tech to promote refugee rights”, available at: https://www.freshfields.com/en-gb/about-us/responsible-business/pro-bono/case-studies/the-justice-centre-app/ (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  41. CLIX, About CLIX, https://www.clixhk.org/ (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  42. https://www.migrasia.org/resources
  43. The Duty Lawyer Service, Free Legal Advice Scheme, http://www.dutylawyer.org.hk/en/free/free.asp (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  44. Law Society of Hong Kong, Pro Bono Services, https://www.hklawsoc.org.hk/en/serve-the-public/list-of-pro-bono-legal-services/probonoservice (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  45. See https://www.probonohk.org/projects (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  46. See https://www.pilnet.org/hong-kong-pro-bono-roundtable/ (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  47. See www.trust.org/trustlaw (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  48. See https://www.pilnet.org/access-legal-help/give-pro-bono-support/hk/ (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  49. See https://www.clixhk.org/ (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  50. See https://www.admwing.gov.hk/eng/public_service/probonolegalservices.html (last viewed on 13 November 2025).
  51. See https://www.hklawsoc.org.hk/en/Serve-the-Public/Pro-Bono/Application (last viewed on 13 November 2025).

Acknowledgements

In connection with this chapter, we are grateful for the support and insight of local counsel:
Latham & Watkins (Hong Kong) LLP

Related resources

TrustLaw Index of Pro Bono

The Thomson Reuters Foundation’s global benchmark report mapping the scale and trends of the pro bono legal sector around the world.

Read More

Measuring Pro Bono Impact Guide

A 5-step framework to support legal teams in measuring the impact of their pro bono programmes more effectively, produced by the Thomson Reuters Foundation

Read More

Pro Bono Institute Challenge Reports

Providing valuable insights into the pro bono landscape by benchmarking pro bono performance at law firms and in-house legal departments. 

Read More
 

Explore the Guide's headline findings 

The Guide offers insight and analysis into the global pro bono landscape, beyond the deep-dive country chapters.

Find out more

Published in partnership with