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Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies

CEF Reimbursable Course (selected modules only)

CEF Reimbursable Course (selected modules only)

Course Code
LW024A
Application Code
2255-1395AW
2260-1181AW
2270-1111AW... more Application Code

Credit
120
Study mode
Part-time
Start Date
To be advised
Next intake(s)
11 Dec 2024 (Wed), 5 Feb 2025 (Wed)
Duration
6 months
Language
English
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Become a Legal Executive and Fast Track towards the PCLL.

Highlights

Start your studies on HKU SPACE's popular Certificate and Diploma in Legal Studies (Professional Stream) to continue via the Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies to qualify as a  Legal Executive and enjoy an exclusive fast track towards the PCLL.

Articulation Path

Students who start their studies on HKU SPACE's popular Certificate and Diploma in Legal Studies enjoy a fast track towards the PCLL via the Advanced Diploma for Legal Executives (Graduate Level) without any need to take extra PCLL Conversion exams, in addition to existing PCLL pathways via the Graduate Diploma in English and Hong Kong Law and University of London LL.B. Prep. Courses.

The Graduate Diploma in English and Hong Kong Law, LLB (Hons) Hong Kong and University of London LL.B. Preparation Courses are exempted courses 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.

Programme Details

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 the current academic year 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.

 

COML4009 Legal Writing and Drafting -
Application Code 2255-1395AW
COML4012 Professional Responsibility and Advocacy Apply Online Now
Application Code 2260-1181AW
Start Date 11 Dec 2024 (Wed)
Apply Online Now
COML4011 Company Law and Corporate Governance Apply Online Now
Application Code 2270-1111AW
Start Date 05 Feb 2025 (Wed)
Apply Online Now

Venue
  • Hong Kong Island Learning Centres

Modules

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.

Class Details

Timetable for 2024/25

ADLS Schedule 2024/25

Lecture Time            :   7:00-10:00 p.m. (Weekdays);  2:30-5:30 p.m. (Saturdays)

Examination Time  :   7:00-9:00 p.m. (Weekdays);  2:30-4:30 p.m. (Saturdays)

Professional Accreditation

Progression Path

Students who complete the Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies might be eligible for the following progression opportunities:

 
Guaranteed Entry to Other Popular Law Courses

Students who have completed the Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies and who receive a Distinction on the Diploma in Legal Studies are also guaranteed places on the highly competitive Graduate Diploma in English and Hong Kong Law (Common Professional Examination)#* offered by Manchester Metropolitan University with HKU SPACE, which is one of the fastest ways for intending lawyers to complete the legal studies necessary to apply to P.C.LL. courses in Hong Kong.

 

*Admission to the Graduate Diploma in English and Hong Kong Law (Common Professional Examination)#, is normally only open to University graduates, however, this restriction can be waived for students who complete the Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies

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

This is an 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.

 

Become a Legal Executive

Legal executives 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.

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.

Fee

Course Fee
  • HK$10,000 per module (inclusive of exam fee)

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 dependants, 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. 

Please note a student who has passed a module or elective cannot re-enroll in the same module or elective. Students who have completed this program cannot re-enroll in the same program other than in exceptional cases.

CEF

  • The CEF Institution Code of HKU SPACE is 100
CEF Courses
Legal Writing and Drafting (Module from Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies)
COURSE CODE 39Z114372 FEES $10,000 ENQUIRY 2520-4665
Professional Responsibility and Advocacy (Module from Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies)
COURSE CODE 39Z114380 FEES $10,000 ENQUIRY 2520-4665
Hong Kong Commercial Law and Practice (Module from Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies)
COURSE CODE 39Z147599 FEES $10,000 ENQUIRY 2520-4665
Disputes Resolution (Module from Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies)
COURSE CODE 39Z147602 FEES $10,000 ENQUIRY 2520-4665
Company Law and Corporate Governance (Module from Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies)
COURSE CODE 39Z147610 FEES $10,000 ENQUIRY 2520-4665
Continuing Education Fund Reimbursable Course Continuing Education Fund Reimbursable Course (selected modules only)
Some modules of this course have been included in the list of reimbursable courses under the Continuing Education Fund.

Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies

  • This course is recognised under the Qualifications Framework (QF Level [4])

Apply

Application Form Download Application Form

Enrolment Method
Legal Writing and Drafting Apply Online Now
Application Code 2255-1395AW
Start Date 1 Nov 2024 (Wed)
Professional Responsibility and Advocacy Apply Online Now
Application Code 2260-1181AW
Start Date 11 Dec 2024 (Wed)
Company Law and Corporate Governance Apply Online Now
Application Code 2270-1111AW
Start Date 5 Feb 2025 (Wed)
Payment Method
1. Cash, EPS, WeChat Pay Or Alipay

Course fees can be paid by cash, EPS, WeChat Pay or Alipay at any HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres.

2. Cheque Or Bank draft

Course fees can also be paid by crossed cheque or bank draft made payable to “HKU SPACE”. Please specify the programme title(s) for application and applicant’s name. You may either:

  • bring the completed form(s), together with the appropriate course or application fees in the form of a cheque, and any required supporting documents to any of the HKU SPACE enrolment centres;
  • or mail the above documents to any of the HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres, specifying “Course Application” on the envelope. HKU SPACE will not be responsible for any loss of personal information and payment sent by mail.
3. VISA/Mastercard

Applicants may also pay the course fee by VISA or Mastercard, including the “HKU SPACE Mastercard”, at any HKU SPACE enrolment centres. Holders of the HKU SPACE Mastercard can enjoy a 10-month interest-free instalment period for courses with a tuition fee worth a minimum of HK$2,000; however, the course applicant must also be the cardholder himself/herself. For enquiries, please contact our staff at any enrolment centres.

4. Online Payment

Online application / enrolment is offered for most open admission courses (enrolled on first come, first served basis) and selected award-bearing programmes. Application fees and course fees of these programmes/courses can be settled by using "PPS by Internet" (not available via mobile phones), VISA or Mastercard. In addition to the aforesaid online payment channels, new and continuing students of award-bearing programmes with available online service, they may also pay their course fees by Online WeChat Pay, Online Alipay or Faster Payment System (FPS). Please refer to Enrolment Methods - Online Enrolment  for details.

Notes

  • If the programme/course is starting within five working days, application by post is not recommended to avoid any delays. Applicants are advised to enrol in person at HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres and avoid making cheque payment under this circumstance.

  • Fees paid are not refundable except under very exceptional circumstances (e.g. course cancellation due to insufficient enrolment), subject to the School’s discretion. In exceptional cases where a refund is approved, fees paid by cash, EPS, WeChat Pay, Alipay, cheque, FPS or PPS by Internet will be reimbursed by a cheque, and fees paid by credit card will be reimbursed to the credit card account used for payment. 

  • In addition to the published fees, there may be additional costs associated with individual programmes. Please refer to the relevant course brochures or direct any enquiries to the relevant programme team for details.
  • Fees and places on courses cannot be transferrable from one applicant to another. Once accepted onto a course, the student may not change to another course without approval from HKU SPACE. A processing fee of HK$120 will be levied on each approved transfer.
  • HKU SPACE will not be responsible for any loss of payment, receipt, or personal information sent by mail.
  • For payment certification, please submit a completed form, a sufficiently stamped and self-addressed envelope, and a crossed cheque for HK$30 per copy made payable to “HKU SPACE” to any of our enrolment centres.