Learn what the PCLL Hong Kong is, how it started, what it covers, and how to get into and succeed in the programme. A comprehensive guide for aspiring lawyers in Hong Kong.
Are you interested in becoming a lawyer in Hong Kong? If so, you need to complete the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) programme, which is the professional legal training for graduates who intend to practice as solicitors or barristers in Hong Kong.
But what is the PCLL Hong Kong exactly? How did it start? What does it cover? And how can you get into and succeed in the programme?
In this post, we will answer all these questions and more. We will give you a comprehensive overview of the PCLL Hong Kong, including its history, structure, requirements, and tips.
By the end of this post, you will have a clear understanding of the PCLL Hong Kong and how to prepare for it.
What is the PCLL Hong Kong?
The Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time programme that provides professional legal training for graduates who intend to practice as solicitors or barristers in Hong Kong.
The PCLL is a prerequisite for entering the legal profession in Hong Kong, along with a law degree and a traineeship or pupillage.
The PCLL aims to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge for legal practice in Hong Kong, such as:
- Legal research and writing
- Legal analysis and problem-solving
- Legal ethics and professionalism
- Legal communication and advocacy
- Legal drafting and negotiation
The PCLL also exposes students to various areas of law and practice that are relevant and important for the Hong Kong legal system, such as:
- Civil litigation
- Criminal litigation
- Commercial dispute resolution
- Conveyancing and property transactions
- Corporate and commercial transactions
- Professional conduct and accounts
- Wills and probate
The PCLL is offered by four providers in Hong Kong:
- The University of Hong Kong (HKU)
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
- The City University of Hong Kong (CityU)
- The University of Hong Kong School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU SPACE)
Each provider has its own admission criteria, curriculum, and assessment methods, but they all follow a common core curriculum that was introduced in 2008.
History of the PCLL Hong Kong
The PCLL Hong Kong was introduced in 1972 as a replacement for the English Bar Final Examination and the Solicitors’ Final Examination, which were previously required for admission to the Hong Kong Bar and the Law Society of Hong Kong respectively.
The PCLL Hong Kong aimed to provide a more locally relevant and practical curriculum that would equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge for legal practice in Hong Kong.
The PCLL Hong Kong has undergone several reforms over the years to keep pace with the changing needs and expectations of the legal profession and the society. The most recent reform was implemented in 2008, which introduced a common core curriculum for all PCLL providers, a greater emphasis on skills training and assessment, and a more flexible and diverse range of electives.
The 2008 reform also introduced a standardized entrance examination for the PCLL Hong Kong, which is administered by the Hong Kong Conversion Examination Board (HKCEB). The entrance examination consists of three core subjects and three top-up subjects:
- Commercial Law
- Evidence
- Business Associations
- Hong Kong Constitutional Law
- Hong Kong Legal System
- Hong Kong Land Law
The entrance examination is designed to test the applicants' knowledge and understanding of the basic principles and concepts of Hong Kong law, as well as their ability to apply them to practical situations.
The entrance examination is mandatory for applicants who do not hold a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from one of the three local universities (HKU, CUHK, or CityU), or a Common Professional Examination (CPE) certificate from HKU SPACE.
Applicants who hold a law degree or a CPE certificate from other jurisdictions may be exempted from the entrance examination, subject to the approval of the PCLL providers.
Overview of the course structure
The PCLL Hong Kong consists of two semesters, each lasting about 15 weeks. The course structure is divided into three components: core subjects, electives, and professional practice.
Core subjects
The core subjects cover the essential areas of law and practice that are common to both solicitors and barristers in Hong Kong. These include:
- Civil Litigation
- Criminal Litigation
- Commercial Dispute Resolution
- Conveyancing and Property Transactions
- Corporate and Commercial Transactions
- Professional Conduct and Accounts
- Wills and Probate
The core subjects are taught and assessed through a combination of lectures, tutorials, workshops, simulations, and written assignments.
Electives
The electives allow students to choose from a wide range of subjects that reflect their interests and career aspirations. The electives are grouped into two streams: litigation and transactional.
Students can choose either three electives from one stream, or two electives from one stream and one elective from the other stream. The electives include:
- Litigation stream: Advocacy, China Practice, Family Law and Practice, Insolvency, Intellectual Property Litigation, Mediation, Personal Injuries and Employees’ Compensation
- Transactional stream: Banking and Finance, China Trade and Investment, Commercial Drafting, Company Secretarial Practice, Intellectual Property Transactions, Securities Regulation, Taxation
The electives are taught and assessed through a variety of methods, such as seminars, case studies, moots, drafting exercises, and oral presentations.
Professional practice
The professional practice component consists of two elements: a practice management course and a clinical legal education programme. The practice management course aims to equip students with the practical skills and knowledge for managing a legal practice, such as client care, risk management, billing, and marketing.
The clinical legal education programme provides students with the opportunity to apply their legal skills and knowledge in real-life situations, such as providing pro bono legal advice and representation to underprivileged clients, or participating in moot court competitions and mock trials.
How to get into and succeed in the PCLL Hong Kong
Getting into and succeeding in the PCLL Hong Kong is not easy, but it is not impossible either. Here are some tips and resources to help you prepare for and excel in the programme.
- Prepare for the entrance examination. If you need to take the entrance examination, make sure you study the syllabus and past papers and practice your legal writing and problem-solving skills. You can find more information and resources on the PCEA website or check out PCLL guide.
- Choose the right provider and stream. Each PCLL provider and stream has its strengths and weaknesses, and you should choose the one that suits your interests, goals, and learning style. You can find more information and comparisons on the PCLL providers' websites.
- Manage your time and workload. The PCLL Hong Kong is an intensive and demanding program, and you need to balance your studies, assignments, and extracurricular activities. You should plan your schedule, prioritize your tasks, and avoid procrastination. You can use some tools and apps to help you organize your time and workload, such as Google Calendar, Trello, or Evernote.
- Seek help and support. The PCLL Hong Kong can be stressful and challenging, and you may encounter some difficulties and problems along the way. You should not hesitate to seek help and support from your teachers, classmates, mentors, or counselors. You can also join some online communities and forums to share your experiences and tips with other PCLL students, such as the PCLL Student Forum or the PCLL Survival Guide Facebook Group.
Conclusion
The PCLL Hong Kong is the professional legal training programme for graduates who intend to practice as solicitors or barristers in Hong Kong. It is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time programme that covers the essential areas of law and practice that are common to both solicitors and barristers in Hong Kong.
It also offers a wide range of electives and professional practice opportunities that reflect the interests and career aspirations of the students.
The PCLL Hong Kong is a competitive and rigorous programme that requires a lot of preparation and hard work. However, it is also a rewarding and fulfilling programme that can help you achieve your dream of becoming a lawyer in Hong Kong.
We hope this post has given you a comprehensive overview of PCLL Hong Kong, and some useful tips and resources to help you get into and succeed in the programme.
If you want to learn more about the PCLL programme and how to ace it, you can check out our PCLL Guide. This guide is a comprehensive and up-to-date resource that covers everything you need to know about the PCLL programme.
You can also visit our Arti.W+ website, where you can find more products and services to help you with your PCLL journey, such as online courses, coaching, books, and blog.
We are Arti.W+, your PCLL buddy. We are here to help you achieve your dream of becoming a lawyer in Hong Kong. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. We wish you all the best in your PCLL journey!
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Disclaimer: This blog post is for general information only, not legal advice. The law of Hong Kong may change and Arti.W+ are not liable for any actions based on this blog post. Consult a lawyer before acting on this blog post.
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