eBRAM Deal-Making Portal Launches Free Online Legal Consultation Service “FreeLegalLink”

(Hong Kong, 30 July 2026) – eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre (“eBRAM”), an independent not-for-profit arbitration and mediation institution established with the support of the Asian Academy of International Law, the Hong Kong Bar Association and The Law Society of Hong Kong, today announced that its Deal-Making Portal (DMP) has officially launched the “FreeLegalLink” free online legal consultation service. This service was initiated by Legislative Council (LegCo) Member and Chairman of eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre Dr Thomas So Shiu-tsung, with eBRAM providing technical infrastructure, and supported by the Agency for Volunteer Service and The Law Society of Hong Kong, so that members of the public are not limited to specific locations and can book practising lawyers for free legal consultation through online appointment. At the initial stage of the service launch, with law firms and dozens of lawyers have already committed to participating.

Since its launch, eBRAM’s Deal-Making Portal has been committed to using LawTech to assist enterprises and the public in conducting cross-border transactions and dispute resolution. The Online Pro Bono Legal Service Scheme launched this time further expands the application of the platform to the field of pro bono legal services. Through online appointment, video conference, electronic signature and secure document management technologies, it greatly lowers the threshold for members of the public to obtain professional legal advice. Citizens in need can first apply to the offices of participating LegCo Members. After review, office staff will assist applicants in creating an account on the FreeLegalLink platform and arrange pro bono legal consultation services. After the account is activated, members of the public can conduct one-to-one online video consultation with lawyers through the platform. The whole process can be completed online, not restricted by region, saving travel and waiting time.

The “Online Pro Bono Legal Service Scheme” now covers six major legal areas, including estate planning (such as making wills, enduring powers of attorney and advance healthcare directives), family matters (such as divorce, maintenance, custody and succession), employment disputes, building management (such as water seepage and property management, etc.), tenancy or matters related to immovable property, and criminal matters. After referral by Legislative Council Members’ offices, consultation will be arranged in online video form, with each session limited to a maximum of 45 minutes. If further legal assistance is needed after consultation to follow up the case, participating lawyers will offer preferential fees of not less than 20% discount, reducing the financial burden on members of the public.

Chairman of eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre, Dr Thomas So Shiu-tsung said: “The goal of FreeLegalLink is to establish a reliable online bridge between members of the public and legal professionals. As a Legislative Council Member, I deeply understand that many members of the public, because of time, location or economic reasons, often have nowhere to turn when encountering legal problems. Through LawTech, not only can members of the public obtain legal advice more conveniently, participating lawyers can also arrange pro bono service time more flexibly. Both sides are spared the trouble of travelling, making pro bono legal services more efficient, and also helping to attract more legal professionals to join. I thank eBRAM for providing its Deal-Making Portal as technical support, and multiple law firms and dozens of lawyers for their unpaid participation, jointly promoting the digital transformation of legal services in Hong Kong, so that ordinary people can also easily obtain professional free legal consultation services when they need them most.”

As the platform provider of this service, eBRAM’s Deal-Making Portal (DMP) has bank-grade encryption technology and blockchain evidence preservation function, ensuring that personal data and consultation content of members of the public are fully protected. All video conferences are encrypted, and document transmission and storage also comply with the requirements of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Hong Kong Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO). eBRAM emphasises that FreeLegalLink is not only a free service, but also an important experiment in the popularisation of LawTech. In the future, depending on the needs of members of the public, the service scope will be gradually expanded and the number of participating law firms increased.

The launch of the “Online Pro Bono Legal Service Scheme” is expected to help promote the digital transformation of legal services in Hong Kong, strengthen channels for the public to seek access to justice, and at the same time demonstrate eBRAM’s commitment to serving the community through innovative LawTech. Members of the public in need can from today enquire with the offices of participating Legislative Council Members and apply for referral services, and receive online pro bono legal consultation through the “Online Pro Bono Legal Service Scheme” platform.