The SAR government on Friday announced that it had appointed a former Law Society president as the director of the Legal Aid Department and former Trade Development Council research director as the new Government Economist.

The senior appointments came following a recruitment exercise, the administration said in a statement.

It said Chan Chak-ming, who headed the Law Society between 2021 and 2024, would take over from Chris Chong at the reins of the Legal Aid Department from January 1, when Chong begins pre-retirement leave.

The department provides aid in the form of representation by a solicitor or barrister in civil and criminal proceedings at the level of the District Court and above.

Chan was admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong in 1997 and in England and Wales in 2002.

He was admitted as a lawyer in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in 2021.

Irina Fan, who has over 25 years of research experience and is a finance and banking veteran, is set to take over from Adolph Leung, who has retired, as the Government Economist on January 5.

Fan's research areas cover Hong Kong, the mainland and the Asia-Pacific region as well as international markets.

Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung said she was confident that Chan and Fan would lead their department and office well.

"Chan is a distinguished lawyer who has extensive experience in the legal sector," she said.

" He has a deep understanding of the legal profession and rich public service experience both locally and internationally.

"With his professional competence, leadership capabilities and strategic vision, I am confident that he will lead the Legal Aid Department in delivering quality legal aid services."

Of Fan, Yeung said she "has profound experience in economic analysis and proven leadership and management skills.

"I am confident that she will be able to lead the Office of the Government Economist to continue providing professional analyses and advice on economic matters to the government," she added.

Separately, both Chief Secretary Eric Chan and Financial Secretary Paul Chan thanked Chong and Leung for their contributions and services over the past three decades and wished them a "happy retirement".