Channel of Appeal against Refusal

If you are refused legal aid because your case/appeal lacks merits, the judge hearing your case/appeal may grant you legal aid provided you are eligible on means. If your case/appeal involves an offence endangering national security the maximum penalty for which is life imprisonment, murder or an offence under section 19 of the Crimes Ordinanace (piracy with violence), the judge hearing your case/appeal may grant you legal aid and exempt you from the means test and payment of contribution. If your application for legal aid to appeal to the Court of Final Appeal is refused, you may apply to a Review Committee made up of the Registrar of the High Court and a representative each of the Bar Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong. The decision of the Review Committee is final.