In view of the latest COVID-19 epidemic developments, the deadline for the LawTech Fund application period will be extended to September 6 to allow eligible law firms and chambers more time to prepare their applications.

Established under the second round of the Anti-epidemic Fund, the LawTech Fund has been open for applications since April to assist small and medium-size law firms and barristers' chambers in procuring and upgrading information technology systems and arranging their staff to attend lawtech training courses.

Law firms or chambers which have five or fewer practising lawyers as at April 8 and at the time of granting the subsidy will be eligible for reimbursement for up to $50,000. Around 400 applications have been received so far.

The Law Society of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Bar Association have established a joint committee to process and assess the applications, as well as arrange funding disbursement.

The application form and guidance notes are available at the homepages of the Law Society of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Bar Association.

The Government encourages about 700 eligible law firms and chambers in Hong Kong to make use of the subsidy to enhance their technological capabilities so as to keep up with the Judiciary's development in remote hearings and provide legal services to clients amidst social distancing measures.