Legal advice on dealing with wages etc...

I need some legal advice on how to proceed pls help!! My bf had a sociopath for a boss...the story goes. On Feb 24 my bf was handed a termination letter dated dated Jan 26. It stated he was given a month's notice and last day would be 26 Feb. HUH? How malicious is this? Asked for payment in lieu of notice (he had worked for 5 months already...over the probation period) as there wasn't a notice given due to the wrong date. Boss replied no I gave you the letter in Jan. HUH? But the letter was handed to him by a co-worker in Feb. Also the reason for dismissal was for dishonesty which the boss had no proof of. Actually at the labour dept, during the conciliation meeting, he actually stated it as a fact and when I pressed for more evidence he just replied that he presumed that was the intention of my bf. But no evidence. Also he never enrolled my bf in any MPF scheme though asked many times. Now besides the one month in lieu of notice, boss still owe the salary for Feb. Even when the labour dept officer requested him to pay...he ignored her and never showed up. We have a date at the tribunal next week to file a claim...but we are planning to go straight to the district court instead to file charges for malicious falsehood, injury to feelings and defamation. But we can't afford a private attorney. Is it better to go through the tribunal? I'm sure this sociopath will appeal, so isn't it better to go straight to the court? I know legal aid won't handle a defamation case, is there any other way we can get some legal help? Thank you really appreciate if anyone can provide some answer!!

Sorry just wanted to add we are going to the Labour Tribunal...the amt is over hkd8,000.

I mean to say the amt is over hkd8,000 that is why we are going to the Labour Tribunal and not the Small claims instead. The actual amt is actual 40k, which is the salary and payment in lieu of notice.

He is legally employed.