Listen to #Hashtag Hong Kong every Sunday morning at 8.15
Focussing on issues affecting civil society, we'll hear from representatives of NGOs, associations, statutory bodies, and non-profit groups.
(Sundays 8.15am - 8.25am)
As most will know, the law can be complicated, confusing and costly. In Hong Kong, 1.394 million people live at or below the poverty line and that population cannot afford to pay private lawyers’ fees.
We know from the Department of Justice’s 2008 consultancy study on the “Demand for and Supply of Legal and Related Services” that 79% of people in Hong Kong did not know what to do when faced with a legal problem and that 40% of respondents for that survey had a legal problem. Using these numbers, we estimate that the pool of disadvantaged people with a legal problem is 550,000, or thereabouts, and, of those, some 440,000 do not know where to go for help.
And so the fact is that, for HK’s poorest people, the most disadvantaged people, there is a legal access gap. The people we serve are underprivileged and are often also very vulnerable. Typical legal problems include things like family matters, employment and discrimination, education, housing, immigration, criminal matters and sometimes, personal injury, healthcare, probate and of course increasingly online scams.
They extraordinary people face significant disadvantages due to a confluence of factors: the complexity of the legal system, a lack of financial resources and education, cultural and gender access to justice barriers as well as an absence of legal and digital literacy. Language barriers can actually be a major barrier. Limited financial resources restrict people’s access to private legal representation. Lack of education and awareness about their rights further exacerbates the issue they face, making them vulnerable to exploitation and unfair treatment. There are also some systemic biases within the legal system can also disproportionately affect marginalised communities.
The government services and clinics may not always provide interpreters to non-Cantonese or non-English-speaking people, which can really complicate access to information, advice and/or representation. There are also Cultural stigmas around legal action, particularly in family or employment disputes, which can make individuals not seek help early enough, which means there is an over reliance on informal networks rather than the formal legal channels. And all these mean that even if the legal problem is settled for now, the outcome is not legally enforceable and it means thee can be even more problems further down the line. Overcoming these barriers requires comprehensive legal aid, community outreach, and also we would hope for some systemic reforms to ensure equal access to justice.
Hong Kong has limited publicly funded community legal information and advice centres. While the Department of Justice, the legal professional bodies, the Duty Lawyer Service and the Legal Aid Department provide some support, this does not cover all cases. In fact, it also only addresses cases once a person is able to identified and not everyone knows that the problem they have has a legal solution, let alone being able to name it and even to work out what to do about it.
Equal Justice fills this initial void by offering assistance in the early problem identification phases, helping with settlement to avoid stressful and costly court proceedings, linking disadvantaged people to lawyers and helping them throughout their case journey so they are supported, can understand what is going on and can navigate the system well enough to make informed decisions. And why? To ensure that they avoid any further hardship and specifically poverty.
We provide legal first aid - to disadvantaged people - who cannot afford or otherwise access the law and legal support. We empower people and communities with legal education, information, and support, to ensure that justice isn’t just a privilege for the wealthy and well-connected. We give free, face-to-face, tailored legal information and support, and and also refer cases to lawyers and counsellors. So far, we have worked on 3,000 cases, and we’re just 5 years old. Ad the people we help are 50% women, 30% children and 20% men.
When it comes to generalised legal support for Hong Kong’s disadvantaged population, organisations like Equal Justice and university clinics rely heavily on pro bono lawyers. But, demand often outstrips supply, especially for time-intensive cases like child abuse or neglect, intimate partner violence, discrimination and family disputes.
We have partnerships with 100+ amazing law firms and 54+ charities are robust but may not be able to scale given the widespread needs that we are already experienced. And our caseload has increased ~40% each year for the last 3 years, which is quite significant.
In March 2025, rather wonderfully, the HK Bar Association announced that they will be partnering with Equal Justice and 3 other NGOs more closely to bridge the community legal access gap. This is a very welcome endorsement.
Can you imagine that a young person who is blind and with mild mental challenge can sail by himself?
In 2019, we welcomed our first sailing team member with visual impairment, a teenager named Ben. Despite his inability to see, he participated in our Inclusive Sailing Project and Inclusive Sailing Race alongside our volunteers. Ben truly enjoyed sailing. He put in great effort to memorize all the sailing instructions. He shared that he could sense the wind direction and feel the vibrations of the dinghy on his face, allowing him to fully immerse himself in the experience.
Impressively, Ben was awarded our scholarship, which granted him the opportunity to learn advanced sailing skills. During the advanced sailing training, the coach sent me a video of Ben sailing the dinghy independently, without needing a buddy. When I watched the video, tears welled up in my eyes. It was a powerful reminder that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can enjoy sports with equal opportunities.
TREATS, established in 1979, is a registered charity and non-governmental organization in Hong Kong dedicated to providing equal opportunities for underprivileged children with diverse abilities to participate in the community and realize their potential. We are pioneers in advocating for children's social inclusion in Hong Kong. Through TREATS’ social inclusion programs, we aim to instill values of acceptance, equality, and diversity in the next generation, helping to change perceptions and end discrimination. We believe that children and youth of all abilities and backgrounds can join hands, learn to appreciate diversity, and unlock their full potential.
TREATS has conducted various surveys over the past 10 years to explore the social inclusion and community participation levels of children with disabilities. These studies consistently found that the community participation and social inclusion levels of children with disabilities were unsatisfactory. Regarding leisure participation, the surveys revealed that most community activities were not suitable for children with disabilities. Their choices were limited, and coaches often lacked the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively teach children with disabilities. In terms of social inclusion, the surveys indicated that children with disabilities lacked a social support network and friends. They often found it difficult to seek assistance in the community. Children with disabilities and their parents faced varying levels of exclusion and discrimination within the community.
There are numerous factors that can contribute to the community disengagement of children with disabilities. However, according to surveys conducted by TREATS, one key issue that has consistently hindered their community engagement over the past few years is a prevalent lack of awareness, misunderstanding, and prejudice among the general public towards children with disabilities.
Crucially, there have been limited opportunities for the public to have first-hand interactions and contact with children with disabilities. Such direct exposure and engagement would significantly enhance public understanding and acceptance of this marginalized group.
The persistent misunderstandings and prejudices held by many in the community have, in turn, directly contributed to wider discrimination and social exclusion faced by children with disabilities. Addressing these deeply rooted biases and fostering greater inclusion are essential for ensuring these children can equally participate and belong within their local communities.
Social inclusion programs offer a powerful approach to facilitating community engagement for children with disabilities.
Firstly, these programs provide opportunities for children with disabilities to develop essential skills such as self-confidence, resilience, problem-solving, communication, and social skills. This empowerment enables them to reach their full potential and actively participate in their communities.
Secondly, these programs maximize equal social participation by ensuring that children with disabilities have equal access to leisure and recreational activities. This not only strengthens their community connections but also cultivates a sense of belonging and self-worth.
Thirdly, these programs drive positive social change by creating platforms for direct contact and interaction between the public and children with disabilities. These positive experiences enhance public understanding, reduce prejudice and discrimination, and ultimately promote greater acceptance of children with disabilities within the community.
To conclude, it is crucial to continue advocating for greater awareness, understanding, and acceptance of diversity and end discrimination. By working together, we can build a Hong Kong where all children, regardless of their background and abilities, have the opportunity to thrive and actively participate in their communities.
I would like to dedicate the song 'We're All in This Together' to you.