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 analyze 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
Personality
- Good time management
- Attention to details
- Responsible
- Logical and analytical
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
- Bachelor of laws degree from the University of Hong Kong / the City University of Hong Kong / the Chinese University of Hong Kong or from other recognized Common Law jurisdictions
- Must obtain a Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) and completion of 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. A solicitor is responsible for providing legal advisory services to individuals, companies and enterprises. The main duties of a solicitor are as follows:
Solicitors
- Responsible for civil or criminal prosecution and defence in court
- Responsible for the 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
Working hours
About 45-60 hours a week
Working environment
Work in an office, such as a law firm or court
Personality
- Good time management
- Attention to details
- Responsible
- Logical and analytical
Promotion and Reference Salary
Trainee Solicitor
From Point 27 of Master Pay Scale
Solicitor
From Point 32 of Master Pay Scale
Senior Solicitor
From Point 45 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 organization, your salary may vary.
Entry requirements
- Bachelor of laws degree from the University of Hong Kong / the City University of Hong Kong / the Chinese University of Hong Kong or other recognized tertiary institutions under Common Law jurisdiction
- Must obtain a Postgraduate Certificate in Laws and have satisfactorily completed a period of two years employment as a trainee solicitor.
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
- The judge needs to 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 inspect is required
Personality
- Good time management
- Attention to details
Promotion and Reference Salary
Special Magistrate
From Point 1 of Judicial Service Pay Scale
Magistrate
From Point 7 of Judicial Service Pay Scale
Note: The reference salary is based on the Judicial Service Pay Scale.
Entry requirements
- Bachelor of laws degree and Professional Certificate in Law
- Be a barrister or solicitor and to practise in Hong Kong (or other common law) for not less than 5 years
- Have worked in the Court Prosecutor, interpreter or Judicial Clerk grades for 5 years and are also eligible for appointment
- Ability to speak, read and write Chinese
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
- Attending and assisting in courts or chambers hearing as appropriate; maintaining accurate records
- Checking and marking exhibits and arranging custody
- Settling and approving draft orders
- Performing the duties in different Court’s offices or registries; processing applications; answering enquiries; and providing 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
Personality
- Good time management
- Attention to details
- Logical and analytical
Promotion and Reference Salary
Judicial Clerk
From Point 8 of Master Pay Scale
Senior Judicial Clerk II
From Point 27 of Master Pay Scale
Senior Judicial Clerk I
From Point 34 of Master Pay Scale
Chief Judicial Clerk
From Point 40 of Master Pay Scale
Principal Judicial Clerk
From Point 45 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; and
- 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 Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College – Higher 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.
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
Working hours
44 hours a week
Working environment
Work in an office
Personality
- Good communication skills
- Good time management
- Attention to details
- Logical and analytical
Promotion and Reference Salary
Law Clerk
From Point 8 of Master Pay Scale
Senior Law Clerk II
From Point 27 of Master Pay Scale
Senior Law Clerk I
From Point 34 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; and
- 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 Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College – Higher Diplome 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.
Legal Administrative Personnel
Duties
Legal administrative personnel 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
Personality
- Good communication skills
- Good time management
- Attention to details
- Responsible
Promotion and Reference Salary
Junior Legal Administrative Personnel
Approximately $17,000 or above
Legal Administrative Personnel
Approximately $26,000 or above
Note: The reference salary and the promotion salary may vary according to the company, experience and ability
Entry requirements
- Holder of Hong Kong Diploma in Law (DLS) or higher Diploma in Law (HDLS) recognized by the Law Society of Hong Kong
- Good command of written and spoken Chinese and English
Example of related training and courses
Diploma
Higher Diploma / Associate Degree
- HKU School of Professional and continuing Education Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College - Higher Diploma in Legal Executives
- Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, Vocational Training Council - Higher Diploma in Business and 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.