Tsang talked to lawyers 62 times in campaign
Donald Tsang Yam-kuen sought advice from legal consultants 62 times during his successful campaign for re-election as chief executive, the candidates' expense receipts show.
The meetings, which included advice on his slogan, employment contracts, election rally and advertisements, resulted in a bill for HK$299,788 to be paid to law firm, Woo, Kwan, Lee & Lo, HK$100,750 of which went to barrister Jason Pow SC.
Although the candidate from the pan-democratic camp, barrister Alan Leong Kah-kit, lacked donations from tycoons, he can take solace from the fact that he was spared a bill for legal consultation, given his own expertise and that of many of his campaign supporters.
Mr Tsang's receipts showed he began consultations on January 5.
Valentine's Day was spent with lawyers, with the bill registering four separate consultations on February 14. Two of these meetings focused on a newspaper article, which was also the subject of another meeting the next day.
Legal advice for Mr Tsang's supporters' rally in Southorn Playground, Wan Chai, on March 23 was given in mid-February. His appearance at the Lunar New Year fair required two meetings with lawyers.
Mr Leong secured a better deal for his media training. Public relations firm Edelman offered its services, valued at HK$30,030, for free.
Director Arthur Cheung Kin-ting accepted HK$100 out of a HK$25,000 fee. On the other hand, Mr Tsang's camp spent HK$12,000 on 'cosmetics and hair-dressing' for his rally at Southorn Playground.
Mr Leong's 'pink' campaign image and co-ordinated themes cost HK$45,000 to design.
A company called Thinking Without Thinking Limited charged Mr Tsang almost 10 times as much - HK$439,723 - to design his 'image development'.
Taking advice
The Tsang team's bill for legal advice during the campaign totalled: $299,788
