The Honourable Mr Justice Patrick Chan Siu-oi, GBM
陳兆愷先生
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The Hon Mr Patrick S O Chan was among the third batch of students in the Department of Law. He obtained his LLB in 1974 and PCLL in 1975. He was called to the Hong Kong Bar in 1976 and practised as a barrister from 1977 until 1987 when he was appointed a District Court Judge. He also served as a Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court. In 1992, he was the first graduate of HKU, the first locally trained lawyer, to be appointed a High Court Judge. Upon the resumption of sovereignty on 1 July 1997, he became the Chief Judge of the High Court of the HKSAR and was elevated as Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal in 2000. He retired in October 2013 and has been serving as a Non-Permanent Judge of that Court since then. He had contributed to the setting up of the bilingual court system in Hong Kong. He was closely involved in legal education having served as chairman of the Standing Committee on Legal education and training for 6 years. He was a member of the Council of this University for more than 10 years. He is now chairman of the Higher Rights of Audience Board set up to oversee the admission of solicitors as solicitor advocates in the higher courts.
"Success demands arduous labour."
My life philosophy may not sound particularly appealing. I have believed that there is no easy way in the legal profession. Success demands arduous labour. Taking my own case as an example, I have always considered myself merely an ordinary lawyer, not exceptionally brilliant. One’s career achievements are often the result of happy coincidence or fortuitous timing. For the vast majority of individuals, to attain success in the legal profession, one must expend greater effort than one's peers. If you do not belong to the exceptionally gifted cohort, you must redouble your efforts.
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.