Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL)
The aim of CityU’s PCLL programme is to provide students with exceptional learning and training opportunities and to serve as a vital steppingstone towards the acquisition of skills in becoming outstanding prospective trainee solicitors and pupil barristers. Our highly regarded and practical PCLL programme is known to produce well-rounded and client-centred individuals with superior knowledge of substantive law combined with exceptional problem-solving, advocacy and drafting skills.
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As you embark on this journey, take advantage of all that this course has to offer and learn as much as you can from your instructors. Our diverse and well-credentialed faculty members bring experience and skill sets from various parts of the world. They are all either currently in practice or are former practitioners with a wealth of knowledge to share about the everyday challenges of legal practice. We hope that you will utilize the skills you gain from the programme to successfully navigate your traineeship, pupillage, and future career aspirations.
Mr Ubaid REHMAN
PCLL Programme Director
| Why choose the CityU PCLL |
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| What you will achieve |
The PCLL programme prepares you to:
Upon successful completion of the PCLL programme, you should be able to:
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| Qualification to practise |
Students who have completed the PCLL programme are required to complete 2 years of employment as a trainee solicitor or 12 months of pupillage as a pupil barrister in order to be eligible for admission to practise in Hong Kong as a solicitor or barrister respectively.
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| The programme |
The CityU PCLL is a one-year full-time programme. Courses are taught in a variety of modes including large groups and small groups, skills sessions, problem-based learning groups, simulations, demonstrations, field trips and presentations by practitioners and guest lecturers.
Assessment is by way of coursework and final examinations. The programme is taught by full-time staff with legal practice experience and part-time teachers who are legal practitioners. Members of the judiciary also participate in the delivery of the courses. Students often work in small groups. There are 11 core courses: Interlocutory Advocacy and Interviewing; Trial Advocacy; Mediation and Negotiation; Litigation Writing and Drafting; Commercial Writing and Drafting; Conveyancing Practice; Wills and Probate Practice; Corporate and Commercial Practice; Civil Litigation Practice; Criminal Litigation Practice; and Professional Conduct and Practice. Students must also take 3 electives which include the Bar Course; Foundations in Mainland Related Legal Transactions; International Arbitration Practice; Family Law Practice; Personal Injuries Practice; Financial Regulatory Practice; Chinese for Legal Practice; and International Mooting and Advocacy. The courses offered may be subject to change. Students are normally expected to complete the programme within 1 year. They will only be permitted for entry into the 2nd year if they meet the conditions prescribed by the School.
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| Courses on offer | Please click here to view the PCLL courses currently on offer in 2022/23. |
| Current scholarships and prizes |
Students may also access relevant scholarship information by visiting the website of Student Development Services (SDS) at http://www.cityu.edu.hk/sds/sch/index.html or through student’s e-portal.
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Our people
Full-time Staff
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Josefina BAUTISTA |
Theresa LOW |
Adjunct Professors
| Ting Kwok IU, MH Hanif MUGHAL Christopher TO WEI Guangqin |
Mr Ubaid REHMAN
| Senior Teaching Consultant PCLL Programme Director School of Law City University of Hong Kong Tat Chee Avenue Kowloon Tong Kowloon Hong Kong Tel: (852) 3442 4963 Fax: (852) 3442 0190 Email: uurehman@cityu.edu.hk |
Dr Peter CHAN
| Assistant Professor PCLL Programme Associate Director School of Law City University of Hong Kong Tat Chee Avenue Kowloon Tong Kowloon Hong Kong Tel: (852) 3442 4156 Fax: (852) 3442 0190 Email: pchchan@cityu.edu.hk |
General Office, CityU School of Law
| Room 6101, 6/F Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin Academic Building City University of Hong Kong Tat Chee Avenue Kowloon Tong Kowloon Hong Kong Tel: (852) 3442 8008 Fax: (852) 3442 0190 Email: lwpcll@cityu.edu.hk Website: http://www.cityu.edu.hk/slw |
| Video for PCLL programme online admissions talk | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Eligibility for admission | Applicants must satisfy ONE of the following to be eligible for admission:
Applicants must also supply evidence that:
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| Satisfying these requirements before you start the PCLL | If you wish, you can demonstrate competence in the core subjects, “top-up” subjects, and the IELTS (academic) before you complete your LLB or JD. You may apply to join the PCLL even if you have not yet passed those subjects (or received an exemption from the Hong Kong Conversion Examination Board (CEB)) and the IELTS (academic) test. However, any offer of a place will be conditional upon your fulfilling all the specified conditions before the prescribed deadline. We do recommend that you complete the CEB exams as early as possible. | |||||||||||||||||
| Conversion examinations | The examinations in the core subjects and the “top-up” subjects are administered by CEB. For more information, contact the Board at: 34/F, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 3761 1123 Email: enquiry@pcea.com.hk Website: www.pcea.com.hk The Board’s website includes the statement from the Standing Committee on Legal Education and Training in regard to its entry requirements for the PCLL. |
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| English language requirements | IELTS (academic) is conducted by: The British Council Tel: (852) 2913 5100 Website: www.britishcouncil.hk and IDP Education Tel: (852) 2179 3600 Website: www.idp.com Warning! Please ensure you obtain the IELTS (academic) result in good time. You should also anticipate that there may be a shortage of places for the IELTS (academic) tests, which may cause delay. |
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| Alternative route for admission | Under the Special Track Programme, our school offers up to around 20 places for applicants who have previously applied but were unsuccessful gaining entry into our PCLL programme. Eligible applicants must demonstrate that they have acquired at least 2 years in total of solid law-related working experience (e.g. working as a paralegal, law clerk, court clerk and legal assistant) and this does not include internships or mini-pupillages. Shortlisted applicants are required to attend an interview. | |||||||||||||||||
| The CityU PCLL admission guidelines |
We apply the following guidelines:
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| Applications, fees and deadlines | Applications are made online on the School of Graduate Studies website. You MUST read the “Remarks” section on the Supplementary Form, Notes for Applicants and FAQs BEFORE submission of your application. Applications for admission to the PCLL programme in 2023/2024 are accepted beginning from 1 November 2022. You must submit your application on or before 30 April 2023. LATE application will not be accepted. You are recommended to submit your application in good time and not to wait until the last minute. Attention:
If applicants do not have the transcript of their final-year LLB or JD or other equivalent results and their IELTS (academic) result, and where applicable, the PCLL Conversion Examination result(s) at the time of application, they should upload online and send their results by post once these are available. PCLL applications are processed on a rolling basis, strong applicants may be given offers prior to the application deadline so early applications are therefore strongly encouraged. Applicants requiring a student visa should note that visa applications take at least eight weeks or even longer to process. In order to speed up the admission process, non-local applicants are advised to send us all of their information and supporting documents by early June. Please visit this link http://www.cityu.edu.hk/geo/ies_stdvisa.htm for more information about Student Visa / Entry Permit. |
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| PCLL (for students admitted in 2023/24) |
Full-time Mode, Self-financing
Full-time Mode, Government-funded
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| Academic Year | Tuition Fee |
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| 2023/24 | HK$42,100 per annum |
| The tuition fee is subject to annual review. If there are changes to the tuition fee set by the HKSAR Government for 2023/24 or subsequent years, the tuition fee may be adjusted. |
Full-time Mode, Government-funded
Non-local Students
| Academic Year | Tuition Fee |
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| 2023/24 | HK$145,000 per annum |
| The tuition fee may increase if there are changes to the tuition fee set by the HKSAR Government. If there are no changes to the government-set tuition fee, the fee for the academic year indicated above will apply until the end of your study in this programme. |
Ms LEUNG Suk Yee Stella
Senior Teaching Consultant
Email: ssyleung@cityu.edu.hk
PCLL Admissions Administrator
Email: lwpcll@cityu.edu.hk
Telephone: (852) 3442 7223
School of Graduate Studies
Telephone: (852) 3442 5588
Fax: (852) 3442 0187
Email: tpadmit@cityu.edu.hk
Admissions enquiries should initially be directed to the PCLL Admissions Administrator.
“The CityU PCLL programme enhanced my study and understanding of law from an academic level to practical and analytical ones. It was a crucial process of transformation for me to be equipped for becoming a solicitor.
The CityU PCLL programme has traditionally been a comprehensive all-round programme which helps students realise their strength and potential. Whilst the PCLL programme is unquestionably challenging, all the course leaders and tutors are determined to furnish all PCLL students with excellent training and practical skills and to assist them in developing their career as a legal professional.
I will always remember the time when all my groupmates supported each other when we were going through difficult assignments and examinations. The CityU PCLL programme was a milestone in initiating my profession. I also learnt one of the most important principles from it: paying close attention to details is the key to excellence.”
Ms LI Chung Nam
PCLL Graduate 2001
Partner of Robertsons, Solicitor of HKSAR
China-Appointed Attesting Officer
Civil Celebrant of Marriages
“The CityU PCLL is tailored to equip students with a practical skill set essential for a trainee solicitor or pupil barrister. While studying the CityU PCLL, we were given simulated assignments usually performed by junior lawyers and were encouraged to change our academic mindset and think in practical terms like a legal practitioner. We also benefited from the fact that the CityU PCLL tutors were experienced and qualified solicitors or barristers who shared with us their practical knowledge. I found their advice to be very valuable during my training contract. Also, the discussions we had in class were quite stimulating and eye-opening.
Before my enrolment in the CityU PCLL, I had a particular interest in finance law. Helpfully, the CityU PCLL offers a variety of electives which enabled me not only to focus on the core subjects, but also to further develop my knowledge in finance law. I chose Financial Regulatory Practice as an elective where I learnt a lot about investigation powers of the SFC and statutory secrecy, which were particularly helpful during my litigation seat. During the programme, I also enrolled into Bar Course where we actually cross-examined a real expert witness during the mock trial. Although that was a rather difficult task as the expert witness was very experienced, it helped me to substantially enhance my speaking and presentation skills.
I very much enjoyed the small group tutorials where we were encouraged to debate, analyse, brainstorm and express our ideas. My fellow group members and I bonded very well and each of us became an important member of the team (which proved to be very crucial as the CityU PCLL is a fast-paced programme and working efficiently as one team made our workload much more manageable). We often discussed tricky scenario questions and assisted each other with exam preparation.
I will always remember the celebration of my fellow group members’ birthdays (including my own) throughout the study year. Our group (and in fact many other groups) were very sociable and we often had group dinners outside of CityU in Festival Walk.
With the help of the CityU PCLL I expanded my professional network and met many amazing people with whom I still keep in contact even after graduation. The tutors and lecturers were very helpful and friendly. I could feel their support and guidance throughout the whole programme. Indeed, the CityU PCLL made my last year of legal education both exciting and unforgettable.”
Mr Viacheslav IAVORSKYI
PCLL Graduate 2015
Associate, Ropes & Gray (Hong Kong)
“The CityU PCLL programme provided a solid foundation of practical legal skills. Having worked as a trainee solicitor for six months, I am grateful to see how relevant much of the PCLL content has been, including knowledge of corporate and commercial law; financial regulatory law; civil litigation and conveyancing.
I have also benefited by getting to know a good number of fellow solicitors, many of whom I am lucky to have as friends.
The breadth and utility of practical legal knowledge; the opportunity to meet great classmates; and the chance to learn from some impressive instructors were three factors which really helped to distinguish the programme.
One especially memorable aspect of the PCLL was the experience of serving as a focus group member. In addition to canvassing student opinions on how to improve the programme, my focus-group mates and I were responsible for organising the year-end Ball. There were many details to take care of. Fortunately, I had the support of great class-mates and faculty members, all of whom contributed in many ways. The graduation Ball turned out to be a party, a feast, and a great bonding experience. I think we will still be laughing at the memories for years to come.”
Mr Henry LIE
PCLL Graduate 2016
Associate, Kirkland & Ellis
“The CityU PCLL programme provided me with a supportive and congenial environment for my transition from a law student to barrister. Apart from equipping us with practical knowledge, the CityU PCLL emphasises the importance of professionalism and instils upon us the high standards expected of an accountable legal practitioner, sensitive to the needs of our clients.
The tutors are examples of the high standards a legal practitioner should possess. They reminded us that a responsible lawyer should always strive for improvement. The tutors were very helpful in providing guidance and encouragement throughout the year. The small group system enabled my small group mates and I to explore course work from different perspectives and mutually support one another in course work and examinations.
I will always look back on my PCLL year with fondness and deep gratitude. The CityU PCLL equipped me with the knowledge and confidence for a practice in the Bar. I forged many lifelong friendships - friends who mutually supported each other in learning and later, in life. Both the knowledge and confidence instilled in me by the CityU PCLL remains immensely relevant to this day.”
Ms Christy WONG
PCLL Graduate 2015
Barrister-at-law
Erik Shum's Chambers
