*All students completing both General Stream and the Professional Stream are welcome to join the Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies. In Particular ‘Professional Stream,’ students should enroll to complete all the legal studies requirements by the Law Society of Hong Kong to qualify as a Legal Executive.

 

We have some very exciting news for you, we are in the process of seeking final approval for a new program, entitled “Advanced Diploma for Legal Executive - Graduate Level”. This new program which is subject to final approval will be a new route towards PCLL, without the need for a qualifying law degree.  Hence students who have completed the Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies (Professional Stream), will be able to articulate to this new program, creating yet another pathway for our students towards PCLL admission. This is in addition to the existing PCLL pathways via Graduate Diploma in English and Hong Kong Law (Common Professional Examination)** and our Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) Preparation Courses (University of London). **

** Non-Local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance

These are exempted course under the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance. It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognize any qualification to which this course may lead.

What Will I Learn?

Compulsory Modules	Elective Modules
Professional Responsibility and Advocacy	Company Law and Corporate Governance
Legal Writing and Drafting	Disputes Resolution
	Hong Kong Commercial Law and Practice

 

Flexible Course Structure

In order to provide you with more flexibility, you can enroll separately on each module of the Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies. You may choose to complete some modules in 2020-21 and defer other modules until the next academic year, depending on what is the most convenient for you.

Different electives may sometimes be offered on this course in other academic years, including Disputes Resolution, Company Law and Corporate Governance and/or Hong Kong Commercial Law and Practice.

You must complete all three modules within three years of starting the Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies. You have 2 attempts to take the examinations for each Module in the current enrollment year.

 

Entry Requirements

Students who have completed the Diploma in Legal Studies (either the Professional Stream/General Stream) are eligible to enroll.

To study in Hong Kong, all non-local applicants are required to obtain a student visa issued by the Immigration Department of the HKSAR Government, except for those admitted to Hong Kong as dependents, who do not need prior approval before taking up full time and part-time studies.  Non-local applicants issued with a valid employment visa also do not need prior approval to pursue part-time studies.  It is the responsibility of individual applicants to make appropriate visa arrangements.

 

Become a Legal Executive

Legal Executive are assistants to lawyers who help carry out many types of legal work. This professional title can only be used by students who complete an Approved Legal Executive Course recognized by the Law Society of Hong Kong, and the Professional Stream was one of the first courses recognized by the Law Society for this purpose.

One of the great attractions of the Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies is that it allows students who have already finished the Professional Stream of the Diploma in Legal Studies to complete all the legal subjects necessary to qualify as Legal Executives.

To work as a Legal Executive, students must also satisfy eligibility requirements set  by the Law Society. For more information, please visit the ADLS website or see paragraph 2(b) of the Law Society’s Benchmarks for Legal Executive Courses at http://www.hklawsoc.org.hk/pub_e/circular/16-776.asp.

Students who have completed the General Stream of the Diploma in Legal Studies are welcome to join the Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies, but cannot qualify as Legal Executives.

 

Course Syllabus

Legal Writing and Drafting

This course will introduce students to the basic principles of effective legal writing and provide the opportunity for students to practice the key skills required to produce good written legal material. Topics addressed will include the clear identification of the purpose of the written piece, its planning, writing, editing and ultimately its presentation.

Students will practice drafting legal forms and documents in a variety of legal contexts using simple sentences in clear English, in the active voice and with accurate grammar.

Professional Responsibility and Advocacy

Law Society of Hong Kong: statutory authority, Council, committees and directorate, membership, practicing certificate, risk management, CPD, professional indemnity scheme, admission and trainee solicitors, legal executives.

Professional Conduct: Hong Kong Solicitors’ Guide to Professional Conduct; relationships with clients, other lawyers and duty to the Court, confidentiality, conflict of interest, fiduciary duty - handling client money, trust accounts, undertakings.

Misconduct: complaints procedures, investigations, discipline and powers.

Advocacy: taking client instructions, techniques, tactics and preparation for applications, effective speaking, appropriate use of language, presentation and etiquette.

Applications: uncontested application before a master in chambers, application for a three-minute hearing, taxation hearing before a taxing master.

Company Law and Corporate Governance

This course will examine the corporate vehicle, its registration requirements, regulation, raising capital, and winding up. It will explore the range of theoretical and practical legal issues concerning corporate activities including the enforcement of various corporate governance provisions. Specifically, it will cover the rules relating to membership, meetings, directors’ activities, conflicts of interest, reporting, notifications, inspections, audits and investigations.

Disputes Resolution

This course will consider various alternative dispute resolution methods including conciliation, mediation, arbitration, mini-trials, private courts judicial adjudication and the ombudsman’s office within the context of a variety of legal complaints. While consideration will be given to the range of methods, the principal focus will be on mediation and arbitration used to resolve commercial, administrative and labour disputes.

Hong Kong Commercial Law and Practice

A range of topics will be canvassed in this subject including types of personal property, the protection of interests in property, credit security and finance and Sale of Goods. It will focus on various types of commercial transactions and the legal relationships created between the parties involved and the protections afforded them. Relevant local legislation will be considered in context and the unique aspects of Hong Kong legislation will be highlighted.

Venue

• Admiralty Learning Centre
• United Learning Centre
• *Class arrangement during COVID-19: The COVID-19 situation may still be fluid and constantly affect class arrangements in the coming months. The health and safety of our students will always be our top priority. To ensure that students’ academic progress is not affected, the School may substitute face-to-face classes with online teaching if necessary in the event that face-to-face classes cannot be held. Our respective Programme Teams will contact the students concerned with details of such arrangements as necessary.

Course Fee

• HK$8,800 per module (inclusive of exam fee)