CityU to offer Doctor of Juridical Science jointly with National Judges College
City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has signed a collaborative agreement with the National Judges College (NJC) of the Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China to offer a Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD) programme for mainland judges.
The programme is another joint effort between CityU and the NJC on high-level legal training for mainland judges. It follows the well-established collaboration on the Master of Laws Programme for Chinese Judges and the Advanced Programme for Chinese Senior Judges. It is anticipated that the JSD programme will further promote the exchange of juridical studies between Hong Kong and the mainland and enhance the legal knowledge of mainland judges.
Justice Wan Exiang, Vice President of the Supreme People’s Court, Mr Gao Jinghong, President of the NJC, Professor Way Kuo, CityU President, Professor Wang Guiguo, Dean of the School of Law (SLW), and Dr Simon Ip Sik-on, Co-Chairman of the International Advisory Board of SLW, attended the signing ceremony.
“Two cohorts of mainland judges have graduated from the Master of Laws programme jointly offered by CityU’s School of Law and the National Judges College,” Professor Kuo said. “Building on this successful partnership, the new JSD programme represents a higher level of close collaboration between the two institutions. We feel very honoured to have another opportunity to provide academic training to mainland judges to enhance their professional knowledge.”
Professor Wang said, “This is the first local university’s JSD programme specially designed for mainland judges. It marks a milestone in Hong Kong’s legal education. The programme can fulfill the needs of mainland judges for juridical studies and deepen their understanding of common law and globalisation.”
CityU and NJC will start admissions of the first batch of mainland judges of the JSD programme in September next year. The annual intake will be 20 serving mainland judges recommended by the NJC under the guidance of the Supreme People’s Court. Courses will be taken at both CityU and the NJC. Supreme Court judges such as Professor Wan will supervise thesis work and give lessons. Upon the completion of all courses, including the oral examination, students will receive the degree of Doctor of Juridical Science awarded by CityU.