​​​The HKU Alumni Legal Careers Project is a pioneering research project by the University of Hong Kong Faculty of Law (HKU Law) initiated in 2024 to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the Faculty. It investigates the progression and evolution of legal careers amongst our alumni through a series of in-depth interviews. Our research team conducts these interviews with the goal of documenting invaluable educational and professional experiences within Hong Kong's evolving legal profession, tracing back to the founding of HKU Law in 1969. The first interviewees of the project are our esteemed alumni who graduated from our LLB programme from the 1970s to 1980s, making this an unprecedented oral history project about our alumni's career trajectories.
Phone
(852) 3917-2951
Address
10/F, Cheng Yu Tung Tower
The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
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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)
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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.