The Chinese University of Hong Kong
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The Chinese University of Hong Kong Undergraduate Programme 2011 - 2012 Contents Message from the Founding Dean 2 Vision and Mission 3 Milestones 4 Student Life at CUHK 5 Teaching and the Curriculum 6 The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Programme 10 Experiential Learning and Exchange Opportunities 12 Professional Development Opportunities 14 Preparation for Careers 15 Our PCLL Programme 16 Words from LLB Graduates 17 What Current Students Say 18 Contact Information 20 1 The Faculty of Law of The Chinese University of Hong Kong is very pleased to welcome Prof Christopher Gane as the Dean of the Faculty with effect from 30 September 2011. Prior to his arrival, Professor Gane was Vice-Principal of the University of Aberdeen. He was Dean of the Faculty of Law from 1995 to 2000 and Head of the College of Arts and Social Sciences from 2008 to 2011 at the University of Aberdeen. The following message is a warm welcome extended by Prof Gane to all prospective applicants of the LLB programme at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Message from the Dean Professor Christopher Gane Professor Christopher Gane Professor of Law Dean of the Faculty of Law As the newly-appointed Dean of the Faculty of Law And even if, in the end, you do not enter into I would like to share with you the sense of excitement legal practice we believe that the legal education I have felt in joining this community of scholars, you receive here at the Chinese University will students and teachers. The Faculty is young, dynamic equip you to grasp all the opportunities that will and ambitious. Our curriculum is innovative, and present themselves – whether they be in business, offers an approach to legal education that is quite in government or other public service – as your distinctive. In delivering that curriculum we are able career develops beyond graduation. to draw on a wealth of experience in legal education and practice that is truly global and embraces not Legal education presents many challenges, and we, only Hong Kong, but the rest of China and the Asia- as teachers, understand the challenges that you, as Pacific Region, North America and Europe. students, will face. We are, therefore, committed to supporting you in your efforts. (At the same time, As we move into an era in which legal practice of course, we expect you to commit yourselves increasingly transcends national boundaries it is wholeheartedly to your studies!) ever more important that law students are exposed to ways of thinking that are not confined within a I hope that you will be able to join us in meeting single legal system. As a law student at the Chinese those challenges and I look forward to welcoming University you will benefit from our richly diverse you to the Faculty of Law in 2012. legal environment. Message from the Founding Dean Professor Mike McConville Vision and Mission Enriched by the intellectual and cultural heritage of its Supported by world class research, the Faculty of Law University and situated at the heart of the legal system, provides a flexible, learner-centred environment in the Faculty of Law brings together common law and which students are actively engaged and prepared for Chinese law with other great legal traditions and distinction in the legal profession and for leadership values to promote justice and to safeguard the rule of roles in Hong Kong, China and internationally. The law. An international family of research-led scholars Faculty is building strong and enduring links with creates a dynamic, flexible learning environment. alumni and friends so that law students are educated Students are encouraged to develop a deep and critical and fully equipped for successful careers in the legal Professor Mike McConville understanding of legal theory and practice. Graduates profession, government, business and industry. Founding Dean and Simon F.S. Li Professor of Law will possess the intellectual skills and ethical values Faculty of Law to become future leaders and serve the needs of the community. The LL.B. Programme at the Chinese University of who elect to do the programme to engage in clinical Hong Kong has gone from strength to strength since it work with the Hong Kong Refugee Advice Centre and began in 2006. From the beginning, Faculty members, to gain credit for doing so. Later in this brochure you students and our administrative support team have will be able to read about our compulsory ‘Individual, worked hard to build up the Faculty of Law and its the Community and the Law’ courses (there are two of LLB programme. We have been very fortunate to have them) which ensure that our students are aware of law attracted able, hard-working students who have seized in its social setting. the opportunities made available to them through their participation on the LLB. Our graduates have done We will admit a double cohort of 140 students in 2012. exceptionally well on the PCLL and have secured If you are one of them, I can promise you four years full training contracts and internships with many of the best of hard work. Our committed teaching staff will guide law firms in Hong Kong. Other students have decided and, I hope, inspire you. You will benefit from all the to pursue further studies in Oxford, Cambridge, UCL support we can give you in your studies and in finding and other top-ranked universities. the career path that suits you. You will also benefit from the help and advice of our Distinguished Professional Central to the ethos of the LLB programme is the Mentors and our growing alumni network. commitment to prepare graduates who are not only highly skilled lawyers but who also understand their profession as a call to work for the best interests of Hong Kong and China as a whole. We are proud of our links with the legal professions in Hong Kong and of our students’ ability to compete for positions in major international law firms. We are equally proud of initiatives such as the Refugee Clinical Legal Assistance Programme. This allows selected students 2 3 Milestones Student Life at CUHK Joining the youngest Faculty at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, you will be given the opportunity to join a With its ideal campus and many exciting educational opportunities, you will find your cooperative and innovative community dedicated to teaching, research and international exchange bringing the experience at CUHK an enriching one. best of China to the world and the best of the world to China. We are very pleased to see that an impressive number of our LLB graduates in the Founding Class have secured training contracts in leading international law firms on completion of our LLB and PCLL programmes. The Faculty of Law has made considerable progress in less than a An Ideal Campus develop their potential and to integrate different fields decade. Highlighted below are some of the Faculty’s achievements since its establishment. of knowledge. Students will be encouraged to nurture At CUHK, students can find out what campus life their own good judgment and a sense of personal really means. Located north of Shatin overlooking the Year Achievements values, each being indispensable elements in personal scenic Tolo Harbour, our stunning central campus is or career advancement. 2004 Establishment of the School of Law the largest and greenest in Hong Kong. The beautiful green campus has won the gold award in the 2009 2006 First intake of LLB, JD and LLM students (Founding Class) Committed Teachers and Diversified Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence. Student Mix 2008 The School of Law became the Faculty of Law The University offers a wide range of sports and CUHK students enjoy a close mentoring relationship The International Conference on Judicial Review in Hong Kong with our committed teachers. The diverse student was well attended by world-renowned legal luminaries recreational facilities, including seven libraries, art museums, concert halls, a swimming pool, sports fields, mix, with over 4,000 non-local students from such CUHK team won the prize for the Best Memorial and finished in tennis courts, squash courts, a water sports centre and jurisdictions as Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Macau, the top 5 defence teams in the International Moot Teams 2007-08 gymnasia. In this tranquil and relaxing environment, Malaysia, Mexico, Mauritius, Singapore, South Korea, 6th Hong Kong Red Cross International Humanitarian Law Moot students will find studying an invigorating and Spain, Taiwan, the UK, the US and many provinces in 2009 CUHK team won the championship in the Joint University Mooting pleasurable experience. Mainland China, helps provide a multicultural learning Competition 2009 (Hong Kong) environment for our students. 2010 Launch of the Mediation Institute Emphasis on Bilingualism and Multiculturalism Establishment of the Centre for Rights and Justice CUHK strives to provide an environment where Establishment of the Centre for Financial Regulation and Economic students are exposed to Eastern and Western cultures, Development while enhancing their Chinese and English language CUHK team won the Hardy C. Dillard Award in the 50th Philip C proficiency. From learning and living to overseas Jessup Moot Competition (in Washington, DC) and achieved an studies and extracurricular activities, opportunities to overall ranking of 19th in the world from among over 500 teams. savour these invaluable experiences permeate life at CUHK team also won the Hong Kong Regional Championship CUHK. with the Best Oralist and the Best Memorial First class of LLB graduates College System CUHK is the only university in Hong Kong that adopts 2011 Inaugural Conference of the Centre for Rights and Justice: Criminal Justice in China: Comparative Perspectives a collegiate system like Oxford, Cambridge and other well-established institutions around the world.