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The Government announced today (August 28) the appointment of Mr Thomas Edward Kwong, Deputy Director of Legal Aid, to succeed Mr William Chan Heung-ping as Director of Legal Aid on September 2, 2013. Mr Chan will proceed on pre-retirement leave on the same day after 26 years of service with the Government.
Commenting on the appointment of Mr Kwong, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Paul Tang, said, "Mr Kwong possesses extensive professional knowledge and experience in legal aid work, and demonstrates good administrative and leadership skills. I am confident that he will be able to lead the Legal Aid Department to meet the challenges ahead and continue to deliver quality service to the community."
On the retirement of Mr Chan, Mr Tang said, "Mr Chan has served with zeal and commitment in the civil service throughout the years. He devoted himself wholeheartedly in delivering quality legal aid service to the public. As the Director of Legal Aid, Mr Chan has successfully led a number of major initiatives for improving the quality of services provided by the Department. We sincerely wish him a happy retirement."
Brief biographical notes on the two officers are set out below:
Mr William Chan Heung-ping
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Aged 59, Mr Chan joined the Government as a Legal Aid Counsel in April 1987. He was promoted to Assistant Principal Legal Aid Counsel in December 1994, to Deputy Principal Legal Aid Counsel in October 1997, and to Deputy Director of Legal Aid in December 2004. He has been Director of Legal Aid since January 2010.
Mr Thomas Edward Kwong
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Aged 51, Mr Kwong joined the Government as a Legal Aid Counsel in October 1987. He was promoted to Assistant Principal Legal Aid Counsel in October 1997, to Deputy Principal Legal Aid Counsel in December 2005, and to Deputy Director of Legal Aid in May 2008.
Ends/Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:01
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