The Legal Aid Department (LAD)'s Application and Processing Division (A&PD) will implement the final phase of its five-day week scheme on January 3, 2017.
 
     In light of the closure of service of court registries on Saturdays under the full implementation of the five-day week in the Judiciary with effect from January 3, 2017, the A&PD offices (Headquarters and Kowloon Branch Office) will also move to five-day week operation on the same day.
 
     A spokesman for the department said today (December 23), "Under the new work arrangements, the opening hours of the A&PD will be extended to 5.45pm from Mondays to Thursdays and to 6pm on Fridays."
 
     The spokesman added that services provided by the department would not be affected by the new work arrangements.
 
     "For legally aided persons whose cases are being handled by the A&PD, their appointments with staff can be pre-arranged to take place during the week. For application in person, people can visit our A&PD offices on the weekdays with extended opening hours starting on January 3, 2017. Pre-application Information Forms can also be downloaded from our website."
 
     Furthermore, the current arrangement for collection of cheques delivered on Saturday mornings through drop-in boxes will also cease, given their low utilisation rate and the provision of the quicker and more convenient method of making payment to the department via the Phone Payment System. Further options of payment through automated teller machines and Internet banking have also been implemented by the department.
 
     Detailed information on the new opening hours of the department will be available on the department's homepage www.lad.gov.hk. Enquiries can also be made to the department's 24-hour hotline at 2537 7677 or via email to ladinfo@lad.gov.hk.

Ends/Friday, December 23, 2016
Issued at HKT 11:00

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