Definition of Pro Bono and Community Work

Pro Bono Work

• Participation in a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accredited Law Society committee, subcommittee, working group and working party meeting. Members' work discharged by virtue and as required of official positions to which the members are elected in accordance with the constitution of an organisation is excluded. Such work is considered part of the duties which a member is obliged to perform arising from the official position which the member seeks by voluntarily standing for election. This includes the attendance of Law Society Council Meetings. Work performed by a member which relates to such official position but which he/she is not obliged to do is not excluded. In case of dispute over any work to be excluded or included under this clause, the decision of the Committee shall be final and binding on all participants.
• Representing the Law Society as members of external bodies dealing with legally related works, where their appointments are on a voluntary basis.
• Delivery of law talks/seminars/conferences organised by the Law Society.
• Delivery of law talks/seminars/conferences organised by the charitable organisations which are exempted from tax under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap 112); agency members under The Hong Kong Council of Social Service; government departments and other organisations as determined by the Committee.
• Manning the Law Society's Free Legal Helpline.
• Participation in free legal advice schemes run by the Duty Lawyer Service; Free legal Advice Service on Building Management run by the Home Affairs Department (HAD) in collaboration with the Law Society; and the provision of any other free legal advice to other organisations as determined by the Committee where appropriate.
• Conducting entire legal cases which are taken up on pro bono basis.
• Any other pro bono work as determined by the Committee where appropriate.

Community Work

• All community work organised by the Law Society. 
• Community work organised by charitable organisations which are exempted from tax under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap 112); agency members under The Hong Kong Council of Social Service; government departments and other organisations as determined by the Committee.