1. Do I really need a lawyer?

If you need to prepare and sign a document or contract which involves a large sum of money (e.g. a joint-venture agreement or an agreement for sale & purchase of a flat, etc.), you should find a lawyer to handle the document.

For complicated lawsuits (e.g. personal injury's claim or being an accused in a criminal case, etc.), it is better to have a lawyer to represent you. The legal proceedings may involve things like writing to the opposite party, collecting evidence, calling witnesses and submitting documents to the court, etc. If errors are made at any stage of the proceedings, you may lose your case and may be liable to compensations or even imprisonment.

Generally speaking, a lawyer has the freedom to decide whether or not to accept a case. However, a lawyer cannot refuse to take on a case based on the following reasons: colour, race, nationality, sex, religion or political beliefs. After a lawyer has agreed to take on your case, he/she cannot refuse to pursue your case unless there are legitimate reasons or obtaining your consent.

If your case only involves a small sum of money and the facts are simple without involving complicated argument on law, you may consider it unnecessary to consult a lawyer. The Small Claims Tribunal hears minor monetary claims involving amounts not exceeding $50,000. For the minimum amount of claims in other courts, please go to the Judiciary's webpage at http://www.judiciary.gov.hk/en/crt_services/pphlt/html/guide.htm#2 .

When you are facing disputes with others and want to take legal action, you can consider some alternative channels. If you are facing a commercial dispute, you may contact the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre to look for arbitration services. Before commencing the arbitration procedure, both parties must agree to solve the dispute by arbitration. For more details about arbitration, please go to http://www.hkclic.org/en/topics/hkLegalSystem/arbitration/index.shtml . In respect of a matrimonial dispute, you may consider the mediation services provide by the Family Court's Mediation Coordinator's Office . If you are facing an employment dispute, you may call the Labour Relation Division of the Labour Department in order to get some preliminary advices.