Legal practising certificate holders in Hong Kong. They are usually employed by government legal departments, public institutions or private companies. The legal profession in Hong Kong is divided into solicitors and barristers. There are different restrictions on the right of audience. Their professional standards are regulated by the Law Society of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Bar Association. The legal Executive is also an important member of the legal profession and provides a wide range of support services to organisations such as lawyers and law firms.
Barrister
Duties
Lawyers in Hong Kong are divided into solicitors and barristers. Barrister means a legal profession entrusted by a client or appointed by a court to represent a party in litigation and court hearing in accordance with the law. The main duties of a barrister are as follows:
- Provide litigation and legal arbitration services for clients
- Provide advisory work for clients and solicitors
- Research and analyse cases, instructed to draft pleadings or other court documents on behalf of their clients by solicitors
- Make oral/written submissions on behalf of the client and represent clients in court hearing
Working Hours
About 44-60 hours a week
Working Environment
Work in an office, such as a chamber or court
Work-related Personalities and Skills
- Time management skills
- Attention to details
- Logical and analytical
- Presentation skills
Promotion and Reference Salary
Pupillage
Approximately $30,000 or above
Junior Counsel/Barrister
Approximately $70,000 or above
Senior Counsel
Approximately $117,000 or above
Note: The reference salary and the promotion salary may vary according to the company, experience and ability.
Entry Requirements
- Hold a bachelor degree in law from the University of Hong Kong / the City University of Hong Kong / the Chinese University of Hong Kong or from other recognised Common Law jurisdictions
- Hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) and completed the 12-month pupillage
Example of Related Training and Courses
Bachelor Degree
- The University of Hong Kong – Bachelor of Laws
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong – Bachelor of Laws
- City University of Hong Kong – Bachelor of Laws
Remarks
A variety of organisations or associations may provide relevant training classes or courses. If you are intending to pursue these courses, you are reminded to be cautious and collect in-depth information, in particular the tuition fees and qualification recognition upon completion of these courses.
Solicitors
Duties
Lawyers in Hong Kong are divided into solicitors and barristers. They can be employed by the government or private organisations. A solicitor is responsible for providing legal advisory services to individuals, companies and enterprises. The main duties of a solicitor are as follows:
- Civil or criminal prosecution and defence in court
- Preparation of related litigation, such as arranging evidence, interviewing witnesses, drafting pleadings, etc.
- Provision of oral or written legal advice to parties
- Provision of legal advice and general services, such as registered company trademarks, trusteeship and succession, wills drafting, etc.
- Real estate sales and mortgage, preparation and verification of contracts, witness signature and seal
Note: If working in a government agency, you may be responsible for other duties depending on the nature of work of the respective department.
Working Hours
About 45-60 hours a week
Working Environment
Work in an office, such as a law firm or court
Work-related Personalities and Skills
- Time management skills
- Attention to details
- Responsible
- Logical and analytical
Promotion and Reference Salary
Trainee Solicitor
Reference Salary From Point 27 to Point 28 of Master Pay Scale
Solicitor
From Point 32 to Point 44 of Master Pay Scale
Senior Solicitor
From Point 45 to Point 49 of Master Pay Scale
Note: The reference salary is based on the Master Pay Scale of the civil service. If you are working in a non-governmental organisation, your salary may vary.
Entry Requirements
If applying for relevant positions recruited by the government, applicants must:
- be solicitors admitted in a recognised jurisdiction as stipulated under Section 2A and Schedule 2 of the Legal Officers Ordinance; or be barristers with one year's professional experience since attaining the right to full practice in a recognised jurisdiction as stipulated under Section 2A and Schedule 2 of the Legal Officers Ordinance
- have attained Level 2 in the Use of English paper and Level 1 in the Use of Chinese paper in the Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) , or equivalent
- be fluent in Cantonese
- have a pass result in the Basic Law and National Security Law Test
Note : For all civil service recruitment exercises to be advertised on or after 1 July 2022, attaining a pass result in the newly introduced Basic Law and National Security Law Test (BLNST) will be an entry requirement for all civil service jobs.
Example of Related Training and Courses
Bachelor Degree
- The University of Hong Kong – Bachelor of Laws
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong – Bachelor of Laws
- City University of Hong Kong – Bachelor of Laws
Remarks
A variety of organisations or associations may provide relevant training classes or courses. If you are intending to pursue these courses, you are reminded to be cautious and collect in-depth information, in particular the tuition fees and qualification recognition upon completion of these courses.
Judge
Duties
- Conduct a detailed study of the case to be heard before the court session
- Hold a hearing of a case
- Write a judgments
- Adjudicate some of the parties’ claims
- Order and stamp the internal administrative documents of the court, or send out notices and subpoenas to the parties, witnesses, etc.
Working Hours
About 35 hours a week
Working Environment
Work in an office, such as a court or law firm. Sometimes outdoor inspection is required.
Work-related Personalities and Skills
- Time management skills
- Attention to details
- Responsible
- Logical and analytical
Promotion and Reference Salary
Special Magistrate
From Point 1 to Point 6 of Judicial Service Pay Scale
Magistrate
From Point 7 to Point 10 of Judicial Service Pay Scale
Note: The reference salary is based on the Judicial Service Pay Scale.
Entry Requirements
- Qualified to practise as a barrister, solicitor or advocate in a court in Hong Kong or any other common law jurisdiction having unlimited jurisdiction either in civil or criminal matters
- Has for a period of or periods totalling not less than 5 years practising as a barrister, solicitor or advocate in such a court since becoming so qualified; OR
Has for a period of or periods totalling not less than 5 years serving in the grade of Court Prosecutor, Court Interpreter or Judicial Clerk in the Government whether before or since becoming so qualified
- A pass result in the Basic Law and National Security Law Test
Note : For all civil service recruitment exercises to be advertised on or after 1 July 2022, attaining a pass result in the newly introduced Basic Law and National Security Law Test (BLNST) will be an entry requirement for all civil service jobs.
Example of Related Training and Courses
Bachelor Degree
- The University of Hong Kong – Bachelor of Laws
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong – Bachelor of Laws
- City University of Hong Kong – Bachelor of Laws
Remarks
A variety of organisations or associations may provide relevant training classes or courses. If you are intending to pursue these courses, you are reminded to be cautious and collect in-depth information, in particular the tuition fees and qualification recognition upon completion of these courses.
Judicial Clerk
Duties
- Attend and assist in courts or chambers hearing as appropriate
- Maintain accurate records
- Check and mark exhibits and arranging custody
- Settle and approve draft orders
- Serve as a clerk to perform the duties in different Court’s offices or registries; process applications; answer enquiries; and provide operational support in the application of information technology and related project development as required
Working Hours
44 hours a week
Working Environment
Work in an office or court
Work-related Personalities and Skills
- Time management skills
- Attention to details
- Logical and analytical
- Organised
Promotion and Reference Salary
Judicial Clerk
From Point 8 to Point 26 of Master Pay Scale
Senior Judicial Clerk II
From Point 27 to Point 33 of Master Pay Scale
Senior Judicial Clerk I
From Point 34 to Point 39 of Master Pay Scale
Chief Judicial Clerk
From Point 40 to Point 44 of Master Pay Scale
Principal Judicial Clerk
From Point 45 to Point 49 of Master Pay Scale
Note: The reference salary is based on the Master Pay Scale of the civil service.
Entry Requirements
- Level 3 or equivalent or above in five subjects in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (“HKDSEE”), or equivalent; or Grade E or above in two subjects at Advanced Level in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination and Level 3 / Grade C or above in three other subjects in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (“HKCEE”), or equivalent
- Met the language proficiency requirements of Level 3 or above in Chinese Language and English Language in HKDSEE or HKCEE, or equivalent
- A pass result in the Basic Law and National Security Law Test
Note : For all civil service recruitment exercises to be advertised on or after 1 July 2022, attaining a pass result in the newly introduced Basic Law and National Security Law Test (BLNST) will be an entry requirement for all civil service jobs.
Example of Related Training and Courses
Higher Diploma/ Associate Degree
- HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College - Associate of Applied Social Sciences in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement
- HKU SPACE Community College - Associate of Arts in Legal Studies
Remarks
A variety of organisations or associations may provide relevant training classes or courses. If you are intending to pursue these courses, you are reminded to be cautious and collect in-depth information, in particular the tuition fees and qualification recognition upon completion of these courses.
Law Clerk
Duties
- Preparing legal documents and legislation in both English and Chinese and translating documents, vetting the style and format of draft legislation and draft documents, and performing work related to the publication of legislation, legal glossaries, periodicals and related materials
- Handling debt recovery work, claims made against the government, costs matters, conducting court proceedings in Chinese and English before the Small Claims Tribunal, fixed penalty cases and taxation hearings, and attending mediation sessions
- Carrying out legal research and maintaining databases and mini-libraries, and preparing consultation papers and reports and collating responses
- Receiving visiting delegations, organising outgoing visits and in-house seminars
- Providing necessary supporting services to professional staff and supervising the work of clerical staff; and
- Performing other routine para-legal work
Note: Law Clerk may be required to undertake duties outside Hong Kong.
Working Hours
44 hours a week
Working Environment
Work in an office
Work-related Personalities and Skills
- Communication skills
- Time management skills
- Attention to details
- Logical and analytical
Promotion and Reference Salary
Law Clerk
From Point 8 to Point 26 of Master Pay Scale
Senior Law Clerk II
From Point 27 to Point 33 of Master Pay Scale
Senior Law Clerk I
From Point 34 to Point 39 of Master Pay Scale
Note: The reference salary is based on the Master Pay Scale of the civil service.
Entry Requirements
- Level 3 or equivalent or above in five subjects in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSEE), or equivalent; or Grade E or above in two subjects at Advanced Level in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination and Level 3/ Grade C or above in three other subjects in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE), or equivalent
- Met the language proficiency requirements of Level 3 or above in Chinese Language and English Language in HKDSEE or HKCEE, or equivalent
- A pass result in the Basic Law and National Security Law Test
Note: For all civil service recruitment exercises to be advertised on or after 1 July 2022, attaining a pass result in the newly introduced Basic Law and National Security Law Test (BLNST) will be an entry requirement for all civil service jobs.
Example of Related Training and Courses
Higher Diploma/ Associate Degree
- HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College - Associate of Applied Social Sciences in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement
- HKU SPACE Community College - Associate of Arts in Legal Studies
Remarks
A variety of organisations or associations may provide relevant training classes or courses. If you are intending to pursue these courses, you are reminded to be cautious and collect in-depth information, in particular the tuition fees and qualification recognition upon completion of these courses.
Legal Executive
Duties
Legal executive mainly assists lawyers in general legal matters, and the main duties of which are as follows:
- Assist in drafting legal documents, liaising and meeting with clients
- Prepare and assist solicitors to appear at legal hearings
- Deal with the formalities of a lawsuit
- Handle daily administrative works
Working Hours
About 45 hours a week
Working Environment
Work in an office, such as a law firm or court
Work-related Personalities and Skills
- Communication skills
- Time management skills
- Attention to details
- Responsible
Promotion and Reference Salary
Junior Legal Executive
Approximately $17,000 or above
Legal Executive
Approximately $26,000 or above
Note: The reference salary and the promotion salary may vary according to the company, experience and ability.
Entry Requirements
- Hold a Higher Diploma in Law, Advanced Diploma or Professional Diploma recognised by the Law Society of Hong Kong
- Good command of written Chinese and English
Example of Related Training and Courses
Diploma
- HKUSPACE Community College - Higher Diploma for Legal Executives
- Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, Vocational Training Council - Professional Diploma for Legal Executives
Remarks
A variety of organisations or associations may provide relevant training classes or courses. If you are intending to pursue these courses, you are reminded to be cautious and collect in-depth information, in particular the tuition fees and qualification recognition upon completion of these courses.