About IPLSA

Aims

The organization aims to foster a sense of commitment among young lawyers to serve the community through the provision of pro bono legal services. IPLSA also seeks to promote the provision of pro bono legal services among legal practitioners, particularly young lawyers, through regional and global networks. In addition, the organization aims to promote the Rule of Law and legal knowledge to the public in different jurisdictions, and to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience among legal practitioners from different jurisdictions.

Mission

IPLSA's mission is to launch and administer a pro bono legal services scheme that facilitates cross-jurisdictional professional advice to businesses, NGOs, and individuals using advanced technology. The organization also encourages and engages young lawyers in community service by providing pro bono legal services.

Organization

Board of Directors

The governing body of IPLSA is the Board of Directors (BOD) comprising the founder of IPLSA and parties invited by the BOD. The BOD oversees the overall mission, policies and administration of IPLSA and the pro bono Legal Services Scheme operated by IPLSA.

Members of the BOD are:

• Mr. Casey K.C. Ho
• Dr. Junius K.Y. Ho, BBS, JP
• Prof. Dr. David H.L. Lan, GBS, ISO, JP
• Mr. Harrison W.F. Ho
• Ms. Betty M.S. Lo
• Ms. Angela K.W. Wong

Term of service of BOD members is two years, and renewable by appointment.

The BOD meets on a monthly basis to review and discuss the operational affairs of IPLSA, and is supported by four different committees in providing advice on policy matters and administering IPLSA's businesses.

Committees and membership

Below is a list of the four committees under the BOD, and their membership:

• Advisory Committee
  • Prof. Dr. David H.T. Lan, GBS, ISO, JP
  • Mr. Eddie Ng H.K. GBS, JP
  • Prof. Gu Minkang, JP, Dean of Credit Risk Management Institute of Xiangtan University
  • Dr. Louis Chen Xiaofeng, Executive President of Hong Kong KOL Project
  • Mr. Cao Fushun, Merchant
• Consultants Committee
  • Dr. Priscilla Leung Mei Fun, SBS, JP, Member of Legislative Council of HKSAR
  • Mr. Ambrose Lam San Keung, JP, President of Global Chinese-speaking Lawyers Association
  • Mr. Stephen Hung, Former President of the Law Society of Hong Kong
  • Ms. Maggie Chan Man Ki, MH, JP, Sole Proprietor of CMK Lawyers, Founding President of The Small and Medium Law Firms Association of Hong Kong
  • Mr. Lawrence Ma Yan Kwok, Executive Council Chairman of Hong Kong Legal Exchange Foundation
  • Mr. Kacee Ting Wong, Vice Chairman of Hong Kong Legal Exchange Foundation
• Practising Lawyers Committee
  • Mr. Stephen Y.W. Yap, Principal of Yap & Lam, Solicitors
  • Ms. Angela K.W. Wong , Partner of K C Ho & Fong
  • Mr. Benson Xiao Shuobin, Senior Partner of ETR Law Firm, PRC
  • Ms. Betty M.S. Lo, Consultant of K C Ho & Fong
  • Mr. Benton J.H. Ho, Solicitor of K C Ho & Fong
  • Mr. Conrad J.W. Ho, Solicitor of K C Ho & Fong
• Paralegal Committee
  • Mr. Ho Kam Tim

Membership to the above committees is by invitation and approval by BOD. The said members comprise of prominent professionals, community and business leaders appointed for a term of two years.

The Terms of Reference of these committees are set out below:

Advisory Committee

1. To advise on the formulation of the overall strategies for achieving the purposes of IPLSA;
2. To formulate the operational policies of the IPLSA's activies/schemes, particularly policies governing cross-jurisdictional pro bono legal services;
3. To make recommendations on enlisting supports from the governments, corporate sectors and NGOs towards the IPLSA activities/schemes; and to promote IPLSA activities/schemes through prmotional programmes;
4. To make recommendations on engaging young lawyers to participate in pro bono legal work; and
5. To advise on any other matters that might contribute to the future development of IPLSA.

Consultants Committee

1. To act as representatives of professional, corporate and NGOs sectors to provide expert views for the IPLSA activities/schemes;
2. To make recommendations on promoting cooperation between governments, businesses and NGOs in the delivery of pro bono services;
3. To advise on publicity campaigns to promote IPLSA activities in target markets; and
4. To advise on any other matters that might contribute to the future development of IPLSA.

Practising Lawyers Committee

1. To actively involve in the operation and development of IPLSA activities/schemes as participating lawyers;
2. To review and monitor the activities/schemes of IPLSA to ensure provision of quality pro bono legal services to the target clienteles;
3. To recommend improvements on the IPLSA activities/schemes from time to time such as setting up a mechanism to maintain a high standard of pro bono legal services;
4. To organize training seminars, talks, networking events and any other similar activities for the purpose of enhancing the professional capability of IPLSA members delivering pro bono services, recruiting new IPLSA members and facilitating professional exchange amongst practitioners engaging in pro bono legal services;and.
5. To handle any other matters relevant to the provision of pro bono legal services under the IPLSA Scheme.

Paralegal Committee

1. To provide support in handling pro bono legal services cases under the IPLSA activities/schemes, and recommend relevant improvements;
2. To work closely with the Practising Lawyers Committee in organizing and monitoring the activities of the IPLSA Scheme to ensure provision of quality pro bono legal services to the target clients;
3. To assist in organizing or handling any activities/events promoting the work of IPLSA and recruitment of new members;
4. To handle any other matters relevant to the provision of pro bono legal services under the IPLSA Scheme as directed by IPLSA’s Board of Directors.

Finances

As a non-profit organization, corporate/individual donations and funds raised through fundraising activities will be the main sources of finance for the "Pro Bono Legal Services Program" initiated by the Association and related activities.

Members' Volunteer Obligations

In addition to enjoying the benefits provided by IPLSA, members are also expected to give back to society. IPLSA expects members to:

• 1. Complete 10 pro bono cases or at least 2 hours of volunteer work assigned by IPLSA;
• 2. Participate in at least 2 IPLSA-organized events annually.

Membership

• Voting Members
  • Voting Members are comprised of the founders, BOD, and committees of IPLSA.
  • Voting Memberships are only available to qualified persons invited by BOD, and/or appointed by two members from the Advisory Committee.
• Ordinary Members
  • Participation in IPLSA is free of charge. Membership can be renewed annually.
• All memberships are free and can be renewed on an annual basis.