Annual Report 2010 > 6. Convention Against Torture Scheme

6.1 The Convention Against Torture Scheme (CAT Scheme) provides legal assistance to claimants who have made claims under Article 3 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

6.2 Duty Lawyer Service provides full legal assistance and representation in the following stages of screening process -

	(i)	First Stage of the Screening Process
		(a)	Assisting claimants in the completion of the Questionnaire and preparation of submissions;
		(b)	Accompanying claimants to Screening Interviews;
	(ii)	Second Stage of the Screening Process
		(a)	Assessing, if a claim is refused, the merits of Petition;
		(b)	Providing assistance for lodging Petition in meritorious cases; and
		(c)	Representing claimants at Petition Hearings.

6.3 CAT claimants applying for legal assistance have to make statutory declaration that they are without means to pay the cost for legal representation before they are eligible for assistance. This service is also completely free of charge. A total of 742 cases were handled during the year.

6.4 The list of duty lawyer participating in the CAT Scheme (Appendix A-5) includes 263 lawyers which comprises of 143 barristers and 120 solicitors. The duty lawyers have undergone a training programme organized by the Hong Kong Academy of Law.