Criminal defence

Criminal defence in Hong Kong

Updated 4 November 2026

Criminal defence lawyers in Hong Kong quote by the hour, and the published range for this work is approximately HK$2,000 to HK$6,000 per hour, according to sellers' websites in November 2026. The rate depends on how complex the matter is. The quickest way to see current quotes is to describe your case on BlaBlaPrice and compare the replies.

What the price depends on

• The charge and the procedural status of the case
• The case stage, from first advice to court
• Whether a preventive measure such as bail is involved
• The court or city where the case is heard
• The lawyer's experience and your budget

Prices are quoted per hour in the sources we found, so ask for an estimate of the whole case before you agree to start.

Costs, legal aid and who pays

In some situations a defendant can be awarded costs in criminal proceedings under the Costs in Criminal Cases Ordinance (Cap. 492), so ask whether that could apply to your case. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may apply for legal aid through the Legal Aid Department. Some chambers' criminal barristers handle serious violent offences, complex fraud and financial crime, while other firms focus on regulatory matters, so say early what kind of case it is.

Police powers at the start

Under the Road Traffic Ordinance, section 43(1)(a), a driver must produce a driving licence where there is reasonable suspicion. Keep the documents you were asked for and write down what happened while it is fresh. Cases involving the ICAC, fraud or regulatory offences are handled by specialist firms, so tell the lawyer about any investigation at the first contact.

Timing and the case stage

Winter (December to February) and summer (June to August) do not change the law, so the calendar matters less than the case stage. Contact a lawyer as soon as you are charged or know you are under investigation, because the early steps often shape what follows. November is late autumn, a normal time to start.

What to put in your request

Say what you are charged with or under investigation for, the procedural status, the case stage, and whether a preventive measure such as bail is in place. Add the city or court, any deadline you know of, the kind of lawyer you want and your budget. Describe the matter in your own words; a photo of a document, if you have one, can be added to the chat.

Free for buyers, BlaBlaPrice lets you describe your case in your own words in a chat. The AI asks for missing details, looks through sellers' websites in Hong Kong, then shows the prices and firms it found. Registered sellers reply in the chat with their own offer, and your contacts stay hidden until you choose to share them. Start with the request field or see legal services.