Prof Johannes M M Chan, SC (Hon)
陳文敏先生
Professor Johannes Chan was the former Chair of Public Law and Dean of the Faculty of Law, The University of Hong Kong (2002-2014), and, since his retirement from the University of Hong Kong in 2021, he was appointed by University College London as an Honorary Professor. He specializes in human rights, constitutional and administrative law, and has published widely in these fields. In 2019, he received the Hong Kong Research Grants Council’s Prestigious Fellowship in Humanities and Social Sciences for his sustained research achievements and contribution to the field. He has held visiting appointments at many universities, including University of Pennsylvania Law School, Cambridge University, University College London, and University of New South Wales.
In 2003, Professor Chan was appointed the first (and is still the only) Honorary Senior Counsel in Hong Kong. He has appeared as leading counsel in many constitutional law cases and has acted as a trial observer on behalf of international NGOs in political trials in Asia. He has wide experience in public administration, having served on many public bodies and NGOs over the years, including the Hong Kong Bar Council and the Chairman of its Committee on Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights, the Central Policy Unit of the HK Government advising the Governor and the Chief Secretary, the Broadcasting Authority, Law Reform Sub-committee on Privacy, Hong Kong Consumer Council, and Council of the Hong Kong Red Cross. During his Deanship, he oversaw the construction and moving of the Faculty to its new home at Cheng Yu Tung Tower, and introduced, among other things, the first and only legal clinical programme in Hong Kong.
"Accept defeat, stay humble, keep your eyes open, and learn from others."
Competition is tough, and today’s law students face challenges my generation did not. AI tools for litigation are now powerful enough to replace much of a junior’s routine work, from compiling chronologies to preparing evidence tables, analysing judgments, and drafting grounds of appeal. These drafts still need refinement, and AI can make mistakes, but students must learn to use it well and offer value beyond what technology can do. Secondly, it is easy to feel discouraged by what is happening around us. Human rights lawyers need faith, optimism, and resilience because human rights are often violated more than respected. You continue in this field because of the values you believe in. Accept defeat, stay humble, keep your eyes open, and learn from others. Thirdly, do not overlook common sense. Read judgments as stories about real people, not just technical legal texts. Ask whether the result is just or fair and let injustice fuel your passion. Behind every doctrine and judgment is a human side, and if an outcome defies common sense, something may be wrong with the law. More broadly, legal education is about values. Without them, law is only tools for naked power. Students must understand the values behind the rules, and good lawyers need common sense, which is increasingly rare. Fourthly, read widely. Law alone is not enough in a rapidly changing world. Good lawyers need knowledge from other fields—medicine in personal injury cases, or construction practice in industrial accident cases. A good lawyer, and a good person, needs wider interests. Lastly, follow your heart and do not worry too much about what is practical. Career paths are far less defined today, and people may change direction several times. Law is a powerful intellectual tool: if you develop strong legal knowledge and analytical skills, you can excel in many different fields. Recently, I met a former chamber-mate who had emigrated to Denmark with her husband some 10 years ago. She did not know the Danish legal system or speak Danish. She ventured into the field of human resources. Her legal training turned out to be her great asset. She is now head one of the largest HR departments in one of the world’s largest logistics firms, dealing with issues such as fleets in the Middle East facing terrorist threats or changing customs tariffs from the United States. That is very different from legal practice, but her legal training gave her strong analytical and problem-solving skills to succeed in her new position.
Glossary
Key terms to aid your reading experience.
HKU Experience
LLB (Bachelor of Laws)
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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)
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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)
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A mandatory professional qualification program in Hong Kong that prepares law graduates to become solicitors or barristers.
Hall of residence
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Living in a residential hall is an HKU tradition, fostering independence and close interaction among students from diverse backgrounds.
HKU Law Campuses
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Caine Road Campus (1969 - 1973)
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Knowles Building (1973 - 1989)
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K.K. Leung Building (1989 - 2012)
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Cheng Yu Tung Tower (2012 - present)
UK Postgraduate Education
United Kingdom Bar Exams (“London Bar Final”) (formerly in place)
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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
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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.
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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
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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.