Law students may offer free advice

University law academics and students could help provide free legal consultations to the needy, Democratic Party legislator Andrew Cheng Kar-foo says.

About 10 lawyers have joined the Legal Services Association, set up by Mr Cheng, a solicitor.

But the association has had trouble beginning work because of a lack of funds.

'The annual expenditure for the association is expected to be around $600,000 and we only have $10,000 at the moment,' Mr Cheng said.

But there were signs things might improve.

'A law professor has said he will persuade his university to work with the association,' Mr Cheng said.

Some law students had promised to work as volunteers.