LAWYERS are forced to discuss cases with their clients in prison corridors within earshot of police and other detainees because interview rooms in magistrates' courts are inadequate.
The administrator of the government-funded Duty Lawyer Scheme, Grace Wong Jin-li, described the situation as highly undesirable since it led to a breach of confidentiality.
Ms Wong said among the 10 magistrates' courts the scheme served, Fanling, Western, South Kowloon, and North Kowloon were particularly bad.
There is only one interview room in North Kowloon Court - the busiest of all the courts.
On average, duty lawyers have to stand outside the main gate of the cell to take instructions from their clients two days a week when private lawyers are using the interview room.
Duty lawyers and their clients are separated by the bars while they talk since the defendants are not allowed out of the restricted area of the prison.
