Legal education in Hong Kong
Legal education in Hong Kong generally refers to the education of lawyers before entry into practice. (Other types of legal education, such as that of Legal Executives/Paralegals, and of the education of lawyers after admission to the High Court of Hong Kong (Continuing Professional Development) are not covered in this article.)
The legal system of Hong Kong is based on the common law system of England and Wales. It has a similar training and qualification process for solicitors and barristers. However, in September 2008 it switched from a three to four year LLB, whilst overseas candidates for the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws must now take conversion exams prior to admission to the programme.[1]
Law as a first degree
Hong Kong universities have recently moved in 2008 from a three to four year LLB curriculum.
Law as a second degree
There are two routes available for non-law graduates as an alternative to the full-length LL.B. degree: the Graduate Diploma in English and Hong Kong Law (GDEHKL) and the Juris Doctor (JD).
GDEHKL
The GDEHKL is a two-year part-time course jointly offered by the University of Hong Kong's School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU SPACE) as the course operator, and Manchester Metropolitan University as the qualification awarding institution. The GDEHKL is the only law programme in Hong Kong which substantially satisfies both the requirements for entry into the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) for those who intend to practice law in Hong Kong, and also the requirements for entry into the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and the English Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) for those who intend to practice in England and Wales.[2]
Juris Doctor
The JD in Hong Kong is a two to three year (full-time) course offered by all three law schools.
PCLL
Following graduation, all prospective solicitors and barristers wishing to be qualified in Hong Kong must undertake the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL), unless they are taking the Registered Foreign Lawyer route.
Law schools
The LLB, LLM, JD and PCLL are currently offered by all three law schools in Hong Kong, namely:
The Open University of Hong Kong also offers distance learning LLMs in PRC Law and Chinese Business Law.[3]
Training contract or pupillage
After the PCLL, prospective solicitors must undertake a two-year training contract with a law firm, whilst prospective barristers must undertake one year's pupillage with sets of chambers.[4]
References
- http://www.pcea.com.hk/
- http://hkuspace.hku.hk/prog/cpe
- http://www.llm-guide.com/university/597/open-university-of-hong-kong-ouhk
- "How to become a lawyer in Hong Kong" - 《香港律師（入行）天書》