Appointment of Director of Legal Aid
The Government today (December 22) announced the appointment of Deputy Director of Legal Aid Mr William Chan Heung-ping to succeed Mr Benjamin Cheung King-man as Director of Legal Aid with effect from January 4, 2010. Mr Cheung will proceed on pre-retirement leave on that day after more than 36 years of service with the Government.
Commenting on Mr Chan's appointment, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Miss Denise Yue, said, "Mr Chan has extensive professional knowledge and experience in legal aid work as well as proven 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 Cheung, Miss Yue said, "Mr Cheung has served with zeal and commitment in the civil service throughout the years. As the Director of Legal Aid, Mr Cheung has devoted sustained efforts in enhancing delivery of quality services to the public. He has led a number of change initiatives and successfully promoted public awareness and understanding of legal aid service. We sincerely wish him a happy retirement."
Brief biographical notes on the two officers are set out below:
Mr Benjamin Cheung King-man
Aged 58, Mr Cheung joined the Government as a Law Clerk in July 1973. He was appointed as Legal Aid Officer in March 1983 and was promoted to Assistant Principal Legal Aid Counsel in October 1990, to Deputy Principal Legal Aid Counsel in June 1994, and to Deputy Director of Legal Aid in April 1996. He has been the Director of Legal Aid since August 2004.
Mr William Chan Heung-ping
Aged 56, 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.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009