how to be a lawyer in hong kong

by Prof. Scotty Gaylord 8 min read

Requirements to become a lawyer (Hong Kong)

  • A bachelor’s degree in Law degree is required from a Hong Kong University or from recognized program in a common law jurisdiction.
  • Obtain a Postgraduate Certificate in Laws.
  • Complete a two years of employment as a trainee solicitor.
  • Please note: Foreign admitted lawyers can be admitted as Hong Kong solicitors, refer to Law Society of Hong Kong for more information.

Requirements to become a lawyer (Hong Kong)
  1. A bachelor's degree in Law degree is required from a Hong Kong University or from recognized program in a common law jurisdiction.
  2. Obtain a Postgraduate Certificate in Laws.
  3. Complete a two years of employment as a trainee solicitor.

Full Answer

How do I become an overseas lawyer in Hong Kong?

Requirements to become a lawyer (Hong Kong) A bachelor’s degree in Law degree is required from a Hong Kong University or from recognized program in a common law... Obtain a Postgraduate Certificate in Laws Complete a two years of employment as a trainee solicitor Please note: Foreign admitted ...

How to become a barrister in Hong Kong?

However, international students who hold foreign passports will need a permanent residency in order to become practising lawyers in Hong Kong. Foreign nationals will need to stay in Hong Kong for a continuous seven-year period in order to qualify for permanent residency.

What is a lawyer's area of practice in Hong Kong?

Sep 13, 2021 · Below are two examples of how a foreigner can practice in Hong Kong: Apply to the Law society for registration at an international law firm Once registered, it can form an Association with a Hong Kong law firm and apply to register the Associating with the Law Society. They can then share fees, profits, premises, and employees between them.

Can a paralegal become a lawyer in Hong Kong?

Feb 26, 2020 · Any person wishing to qualify as a solicitor must obtain a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Hong Kong, the City University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong or another recognized tertiary institution under Common Law jurisdiction (or pass the Common Professional Examination of England and Wales (CPE) for non-law graduates), and …

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How long does it take to become a lawyer in Hong Kong?

Juris Doctor (JD) The JD in Hong Kong is a two to three year (full-time) course offered by all three law schools, specifically tailored to admitting non-law bachelor degree holders.

How much do lawyers make in Hong Kong?

The national average salary for a Lawyer is HK$70,000 in Hong Kong. Filter by location to see Lawyer salaries in your area.

Can foreign lawyers work in Hong Kong?

A registered foreign lawyer can practise the law of the jurisdiction in which they are qualified but cannot practise Hong Kong law. Hong Kong law firms can employ registered foreign lawyers as employees but they cannot admit foreign lawyers as partners of the firm.Apr 1, 2021

Are lawyers in demand in Hong Kong?

To meet the anticipated increasing demand for legal services, law firms in Hong Kong SAR hired more senior lawyers in the first few months of 2021 than what we have seen throughout 2020.Dec 27, 2021

What are the highest paying jobs in China?

Top 10 Best Paid Graduate Jobs in China 2015 Education TrendsGeneral manager & supervisor (总经理和日常主管) ... Loan officer (银行信贷员) ... Mortgage broker (信贷经纪人) ... Architect (except for garden and water landscape architect) (建筑师,非园林和水上景观) ... Computer software engineer (计算机系统软件工程师) ... Sales manager (销售经理) ... Marketing manager (市场经理)More items...

What is highest paid job in the world?

Get Matched!Anesthesiologist. #1 in Best Paying Jobs. ... Surgeon. #2 in Best Paying Jobs. ... Obstetrician and Gynecologist. #3 in Best Paying Jobs. ... Orthodontist. #4 in Best Paying Jobs. ... Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. #5 in Best Paying Jobs. ... Physician. #6 in Best Paying Jobs. ... Psychiatrist. #7 in Best Paying Jobs. ... Prosthodontist.More items...

How many lawyers are there in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is the international legal service capital of Asia, with more than 10,000 practising solicitors and barristers....As of the end of April 2021.As of the end of April 2021Hong Kong solicitors' firms948Registered foreign lawyers1,530Registered foreign law firms852 more rows

Can a UK lawyer practice in Hong Kong?

UK/NZ/Australian lawyers are entitled to practice without qualification in Hong Kong (and have a title such as “Registered Foreign Lawyer”), although it's true that firms here would encourage Hong Kong qualification also, particularly if you are going to be involved in dispute work.

Who regulates lawyers in Hong Kong?

As of 30 September 2018, the Law Society regulates 9,708 solicitors in Hong Kong with a current practising certificate.Structure of the profession.Foreign lawyers.Gender.Ethnicity.

Is law a very competitive field?

Law school is extremely competitive. ... Class standing ranks second behind getting into a particular law school, as to priority of advancement in the legal profession. If a student is not in the top 10 percent of his or her graduating class, it is much more difficult to land a job with a large prestigious law firm.

What is a barrister vs solicitor?

The basic difference between barristers and solicitors is that a barrister mainly defends people in court and a solicitor mainly performs legal work outside court. There are, however, exceptions. When people talk about going to see their lawyer, it is usually a solicitor that they will contact.Nov 18, 2021

What is Pcll Hong Kong?

The Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL; 法學專業證書) is an intensive one-year full-time (or two-year part-time) professional legal qualification programme in Hong Kong. It allows graduates to proceed to legal training before qualifying to practice as either a barrister or a solicitor in Hong Kong.

What is an AV in law?

AV: They become solicitors or barristers, or pursue careers in other positions in the legal industry. Otherwise they go into business and work in corporate positions. And some go into teaching in universities and schools.

When was the University of Law founded?

AV: Established in 1876 , The University of Law is one of the longest-established specialist providers of the legal education in the UK. With a rich heritage and a reputation for innovation and contemporary teaching practices, we continuously focus on developing the best legal and business minds.

What is flexible study?

Flexible study is available, which involves pre-recorded online lectures that students can watch at their own pace. This is followed by attendance at face-to-face or live-streamed writing workshops, feedback sessions, and intensive workshops.

Is Hong Kong a hub for commerce?

AV: Hong Kong is a world hub for commerce and finance with over 900 law firms, making it an ideal location to study and launch a career in law.In an increasingly global economy, and we take pride in maintaining an international outlook. We have a network of ULaw alumni working in Hong Kong who have been very engaged with us since we launched the Hong Kong campus.

How long do you have to be a solicitor in Hong Kong?

To be qualified for admission as a barrister, a solicitor in Hong Kong must have been admitted as such for at least 3 years either immediately or in any case not more than 12 months before the date of his application for admission and during that time he was in practice as a solicitor in Hong Kong or was employed by the Government as a legal officer (as defined in the Legal Officers Ordinance, Cap.87).

How often is the BQE held?

Pursuant to section 5 of the B (QAP)R, the BQE is held at least once a year. It consists of five examination papers covering subjects on Contract, Tort, Property Law (including Real and Personal Property), Conveyancing, Equity (including the Law of Trusts), Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure and Criminal Evidence, Hong Kong Legal System and Constitutional and Administrative Law, Company Law, Civil Procedure and Civil Evidence, and Professional Conduct and Advocacy.

How long does it take to become a solicitor in Hong Kong?

Trainee solicitors must complete two years of training in a Hong Kong law firm before they can apply for admission as a solicitor. Generally, barristers and solicitors must renew their practising certificate every year.

What is an overseas lawyer?

An overseas lawyer registered with the Law Society to practise the law of the jurisdiction in which they are qualified in Hong Kong is referred to as "registered foreign lawyer".

What is a barrister?

Barristers. Barristers are self-employed independent legal practitioners who are specialised advocates and legal advisors. Subject to exceptions authorised by custom or the Bar Council, barristers cannot directly take instructions from lay clients and can only provide legal services on instructions by solicitors or the Director ...

What is a foreign law firm?

A registered foreign law firm consists of legal practitioners qualified overseas or in mainland China. A foreign law firm can employ Hong Kong qualified solicitors who do not hold a practising certificate as employees but they cannot admit Hong Kong qualified solicitors as partners of the firm.

Is contingency fee legal in Hong Kong?

Solicitors and barristers. A contingency fee is prohibited in contentious proceedings in Hong Kong. Further, maintenance and champerty are unlawful in Hong Kong. Maintenance is the officious intermeddling with the disputes of others (without justification or excuse) by someone who has no interest in the action.

What are some examples of professional misconduct?

Examples of professional misconduct include breaches of any of the provisions of the Legal Practitioners Ordinance, Practice Directions or circulars issued by the Law Society, principles of the Solicitors' Guide and other rules, principles and guidelines governing professional conduct.

Do solicitors have audience rights?

Rights of audience. Barristers have unlimited rights of audience to appear before all courts in Hong Kong ( see Question 1 ). Solicitors do not have general right of audience in courts but some rights have been acquired by statute, rule or usage of particular courts.

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The Law Society organised an online sharing session on the Greater Bay Area Legal Professional…

What is paralegal service?

Paralegals assist lawyers in the delivery of legal services. Paralegalling as a career began in the late 1960’s when law firms sought ways to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of delivery of legal services.

Where is Candy from?

A graduate and post-graduate in psychology from the University of York, England, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , respectively, Candy is a recruitment consultant focusing on qualified in-house legal professionals, as well as paralegal recruitment for in-house and private practice respectively.

Is it possible to become a paralegal?

For many law students, being a paralegal is only the first step to a legal career. A natural step for a number of paralegals is to apply to study the PCLL in Hong Kong or pursue legal qualification in other common law jurisdictions (the Australian and US Bars are popular choices) to become a lawyer.

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