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HKU Experience

LLB (Bachelor of Laws)

An undergraduate law degree in common law jurisdictions, currently offered in Hong Kong by the University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong, and City University of Hong Kong.

JD (Juris Doctor)

A graduate-entry professional degree preparing individuals for law practice. In the U.S. and Philippines, it is the only qualifying law degree.

PCLL (Postgraduate Certificate in Laws)

A mandatory professional qualification program in Hong Kong that prepares law graduates to become solicitors or barristers.

Hall of residence

Living in a residential hall is an HKU tradition, fostering independence and close interaction among students from diverse backgrounds.

HKU Law Campuses

Caine Road Campus (1969 - 1973)
Knowles Building (1973 - 1989)

K.K. Leung Building (1989 - 2012)

Cheng Yu Tung Tower (2012 - present)

UK Postgraduate Education

United Kingdom Bar Exams (“London Bar Final”) (formerly in place)

A now-obsolete two-part qualification exam for aspiring barristers wishing to practice in the UK or Hong Kong, held three times a year at three-month intervals. Graduates could take multiple exams simultaneously, often sitting them early after graduation or the next summer.

Training

Traineeship

Aspiring solicitors who completed the PCLL must be employed under a two-year training contract with a law firm to qualify as solicitors. This period is also referred to as an “articleship” in some interviews.

Non-law graduates were previously able to serve five years as a solicitor’s clerk to qualify as solicitors. The significance of this system subsequently waned due to the popularisation of legal education.

Pupillage

Aspiring barristers who completed the PCLL must complete a one-year pupillage, assisting barristers with case research, drafting, court attendance, and other tasks to qualify as barristers.

Legal System

Common Law System

A legal system in which court decisions establish legal principles and precedents that guide future rulings in similar cases. This approach contrasts with the Civil Law System, which relies heavily on codified statutes.

Civil Law

Not to be confused with the Civil Law System, civil (or “private”) law governs disputes between individuals or entities, such as those involving contracts and property rights.

Criminal Law

A system of laws concerned with crimes and their punishments.

Court of Chancery (now obsolete)

A type of law court that focuses on equity and fairness rather than the letter of the law. They originated in England as courts of equity because the courts of law did not provide adequate remedies for some cases. The practice of Equity has since been integrated into the work of normal courts.

Constitution

A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organisation is acknowledged to be governed.

Separation of powers

A political doctrine that divides governmental authority among different branches (typically legislative, executive, and judicial) to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Litigation

The process of dealing with an argument between people or groups in a court of law.

Arbitration

A voluntary and private dispute resolution process where disputes are submitted for resolution to an arbitral tribunal. This can be contrasted against litigation, which takes place in a court of law. Arbitral rules apply.

Mediation

A voluntary and private dispute resolution process in which a neutral person, the mediator, helps the parties to reach their own negotiated settlement agreement.

Law Reform Commission

The Commission reviews laws referred by the Secretary for Justice or Chief Justice and makes recommendations for future reform. Members, appointed by the Chief Executive on advice, include academics, practising lawyers, and community leaders.

Solicitor’s Practice

Solicitor

Solicitors are directly engaged by clients, mostly handling documentation such as contracts, Sale & Purchase Agreements, and wills. They can also act as the clients’ legal advisors. They may make oral submissions in the District Court and hearings in chambers (not open to the public) at the High Court.

Solicitor Advocate

A solicitor who possesses the "Higher Rights of Audience" qualification, allowing them to conduct advocacy work that is typically reserved for barristers, including appearing at the Court of Final Appeal.

Law firm

A business entity, either a sole proprietorship or a partnership, where solicitors provide legal services. Law firms in Hong Kong are regulated by the Law Society of Hong Kong, which oversees their practice, standards, and ethical conduct.

Law Society

The qualifying professional association for solicitors in Hong Kong. All Hong Kong solicitors must be members.

Conveyancing

The branch of law focused on preparing documents for property transfers. It was once a popular and lucrative specialty for Hong Kong lawyers but has given way to other practice areas since scale fees have now been abolished.

Notary

An authorised person who can witness signatures and perform legal acts. In Hong Kong, they must be a practicing solicitor for at least 7 years, pass the notarial exam, and be appointed by the High Court.

Barrister’s Practice

“The Bar”

The collective phrase referring to barristers in general.

Barrister / Counsel

Barristers have unlimited rights of audience in all courts, including the High Court and Court of Final Appeal. They specialise in litigation and representing clients through oral submissions in court. Like solicitors, barristers can also draft legal documents and provide legal advice.

Senior Counsel / “taking silk”

Senior Counsel (formerly Queen’s Counsel) are appointed by the Chief Justice in Hong Kong to recognise outstanding legal ability. They use the post-nominal "SC" and are also called "Silks" because of their silk gowns, unlike other barristers who wear wool or cotton gowns.

Chambers

Offices where self-employed barristers practice, sharing resources like clerks and administrative support while remaining independent.

Tenancy

The term used to refer to a barrister’s occupation of a room in a set of chambers.

Bar Association

The Hong Kong Bar Association (HKBA) is the professional body for barristers in Hong Kong. It regulates barristers, maintains professional standards, and promotes their interests. It also supports the rule of law and judicial independence.

Bar Council

Elected annually, the Bar Council oversees the administration and governance of the HKBA.

Court Procedure

Submissions

Refers to arguments, information, and points of law presented to a court by a party involved in legal proceedings, either orally or in writing.

Bundle

A collection of documents organised and presented to the court for a specific legal proceeding, such as a trial or an appeal.

Joinder

The process of adding or combining parties or claims within a single legal action. The purpose is often to streamline proceedings, resolve related matters efficiently, and ensure all necessary parties are before the court.

Injunction

A court order that compels or prohibits a specific action by a party involved in a legal case. They are frequently employed to protect assets, prevent harm, or maintain business or personal interests.

Stay

A court order that temporarily suspends or halts legal proceedings or the enforcement of a judgment. They are often done to allow parties to pursue settlement negotiations or resolve jurisdictional issues.

Application for leave

A formal request to a court for permission to proceed with certain legal actions, such as judicial review or appeals.

Appeal

A process where a higher court reviews the decision of a lower court. Parties dissatisfied with a court's judgment can appeal to a higher court, which may affirm, reverse, or vary the original decision, or order a new trial.

The Judiciary (“the Bench”)

Magistracy

Criminal cases start in the Magistrates’ Courts, which then go on to handle less serious offences. More serious crimes are referred to the District Court or Court of First Instance. The maximum sentence is 2 years’ imprisonment and a $100,000 fine.

District Court

The District Court hears both civil and criminal disputes. Its civil disputes have a value of over $75,000 but not more than $3 million, while its criminal jurisdiction is limited offences with up to 7 years’ imprisonment.

High Court

The High Court includes the Court of First Instance and the Court of Appeal. The Court of First Instance has unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases and hears appeals from lower courts; it also conducts jury trials. The Court of Appeal, the second-highest court, reviews appeals from the Court of First Instance, District Court, and other tribunals.

Court of Final Appeal

The highest court in Hong Kong, serving as the highest judicial authority for both civil and criminal matters.

Chief Justice

The head of the Judiciary of Hong Kong and the President of the Court of Final Appeal.

Recorder

A practitioner in private practice, often a Senior Counsel, who is appointed to sit as a High Court judge for a limited period each year. Recorders have the same jurisdiction and powers as full-time High Court judges.