Juris Doctor (JD)
The JD is an internationally recognised degree awarded by about 200 universities world-wide. It is well established in several Common Law jurisdictions overseas (Australia, Canada and the United States) with a meaning that is universally understood. Although the degree has the word “Doctor” in its title, this is a traditional usage and it is not generally regarded as equivalent to a PhD degree or other doctoral awards. It is a first law degree for students who are already graduates in a non-law discipline.
The JD programme leads to a law degree at the postgraduate level. It is one of the qualifying law degrees for legal practice in Hong Kong, although JD graduates may also go on to work in business, government or the non-profit sector.
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At CityU School of Law, we aim to offer an intellectually stimulating JD programme to students with diverse academic backgrounds and professional experiences. We expose our students to a number of unique opportunities to gain global perspectives, develop new skills and widen horizons.
The Law School has performed outstandingly in international rankings. It is ranked 51st worldwide according to the 2023 THE ranking system. Join us and take the leap to professional legal pathway. I look forward to welcoming you to the CityU JD programme.
Professor Daniel PASCOE
JD Programme Director
| One of Hong Kong's professional law degrees at Hong Kong's innovative Law School |
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| Why JD? |
The other Hong Kong's professional law degree is the Bachelor of Laws (LLB). LLB is currently a 4-year full-time programme. This is intended primarily to furnish secondary school-leavers and other undergraduate-entry law students with a broader education than can be accommodated within a 4-year LLB programme. Many people interested in pursuing studies in the law, however, are already graduates from a non-law discipline. They have already achieved the enhanced academic experience for which the 4-year LLB is intended. Graduate entrants into a law school should have a route to professional legal qualifications more suited to their situation and needs. |
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| What will I study? |
CityU offers a taught programme of study tailored for students aiming for admission as a solicitor or barrister in Hong Kong.
The programme is also suitable for students who are looking for a professional alternative to an MBA degree and aiming for leadership roles in commerce, industry, government, the media and community services. The core of the JD programme will consist of 2 courses that are essential for a proper understanding of the law and its workings in Hong Kong: Legal Methods, Research and Writing, and Hong Kong Legal System. Students will also be required to select courses from a wide range of electives drawn from the JD curriculum, the Master of Laws (LLM) and the Master of Laws in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (LLMArbDR) programmes. Among the electives available, the following are required for admission to the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) programme and to the legal profession in Hong Kong: Law of Contract I & II, Law of Tort I & II, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Company Law I & II, Criminal Law I & II, Land Law I & II, Equity and Trusts I & II, Law of Evidence and Commercial Law. Students who are going to pursue the PCLL programme and subsequently a legal profession in the future should ensure that they have completed all necessary courses required for PCLL entry before they graduate from the JD programme. Classes are conducted by an international faculty at CityU. Faculty staff bring with them a wealth of experience and expertise in a wide range of areas. JD and LLB lectures will be given together in most courses. |
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| Special features |
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| Optional specialization |
^ Students can take either LW5649 (3 credits) or LW5649B (6 credits)
Depending upon the interest of students and the course offerings in future, these specialised streams may be modified. The offering of the above courses may be reviewed and amended from time to time subject to the availability of the teaching staff. We shall keep students informed regarding the offering of the elective courses. Students who choose or do not choose to specialise in any of the above areas will receive the award title Juris Doctor. In pursuance of CityU’s new policy on streamlining award titles, it has been decided that from 2015/16 onwards the award titles will not include areas of specialisation. Rather, the specialised areas, if elected by a student, will appear on the student's transcript. |
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| Programme structure |
| Application deadlines for 2024 |
31 May 2024 (Non-Local) 30 June 2024 (Local)
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| The minimum entry requirements for admission to the JD programme are: |
For applicants whose entrance qualification is obtained from an institution where the medium of instruction is not English, the minimum English language proficiency requirement will usually be:
TOEFL and IELTS scores are considered valid for two years. Applicants are required to provide their TOEFL / IELTS test results obtained within the two years preceding the commencement of the University’s application period. For CET-6 scores, the validity period is three years.
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| JD admission scholarship for 2023/24 |
For enquiries about JD Admission Scholarship, please email to slwjdp@cityu.edu.hk.
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“The CityU JD was an academically challenging but rewarding experience, and I would recommend it wholeheartedly. As a highly regarded JD programme, it is taught by outstanding teachers and experienced practitioners. It unveiled the mysterious common law world to me and provided me with chances to delve into areas of law in great detail. The tutorial system gave students the opportunity to present their own ideas individually or in a group, to discuss and debate contentious points with fellow students; and to receive constructive feedbacks from tutors. My advocacy and problem-solving skills have been improved as a result. The programme, as an internationally respected law programme, has served as an excellent foundation for my further legal studies and future career.”
OR Hoi Yan Denise
JD Graduate 2019
“The CityU School of Law served as an important catalyst for my development as an aspirant lawyer. From the Law School's reputable mooting programme to the renowned CityU Law Review Committee, there are a myriad of programmes to push students to hone their craft in preparation for their future practice. There is no shortage of the opportunities available to students: one only needs to grasp at them. With that said, my experience at CityU would not have been as remarkable as it was but for my unforgettable peers and the kind professors who went above and beyond for our sake. I have no doubt the bonds that I have forged here will last a lifetime.”
CHAN Jeffrey Cheuk-fai
JD graduate 2020
Full-time students can complete the programme in 2 or 3 years.
Of course, students can take the liberty to undertake a higher academic load in regular semester and hence complete the programme at a quicker pace.
The maximum period of study which is applicable to students of 2010 cohort and thereafter is 5 years.
For tuition fee enquiries, please contact CityU School of Law General Office by email at slwjdp@cityu.edu.hk or by phone at (852)3442 7367.
The minimum GPA for graduation with a JD is 2.0 (for 2021 cohort and before) and 2.85 (for 2022 cohort and thereafter), compared to 2.0 for an LLB.
JD graduates and LLB graduates who have completed the prescribed courses are eligible to apply for admission to the (PCLL) programme at CityU or at other universities in Hong Kong. The PCLL is a prerequisite for admission to the legal profession in Hong Kong.
The CPE is an external programme of study, whereas the Juris Doctor is a full-time programme taught by regular faculty at City University of Hong Kong.
JD and GDL graduates are eligible to apply for admission to the PCLL programme at CityU or at other universities in Hong Kong.
Almost all classes will be held during daytime on weekdays. The elective courses will normally be held on weekday daytime or evenings.
Students who are planning to pursue the PCLL programme in the future are strongly advised not to assume that the courses (completed outside CityU) which have been granted credit transfer will necessarily be equivalent to the courses required for PCLL entry. Students should take this into consideration before they proceed with any application for credit transfer. Students are further advised to check with the Hong Kong Conversion Examination Board for the course equivalency at http://www.pcea.com.hk
The criteria to determine the prize recipients are mainly on academic merit in the JD programme. From time to time, other scholarships or student prizes may be available for JD students. Students can also access relevant information by visiting the SDS website at https://www.cityu.edu.hk/sds or through student's e-portal.
According to the Academic Regulations for Taught Postgraduate Degrees, a student's previous period of study before the programme transfer comes into effect will be counted in the calculation of the student's maximum period of study.
Non-local students who have been granted permission by the Immigration Department for "full-time studies" must follow the minimum credit unit load specified in the University’s Academic Regulations for full-time students. Exceptions for reduced study load are permitted for the final graduating semester upon approval by the Head of the academic department or as determined by the Examination Board in any semester for students in academic difficulty.
For details about programme transfer, please refer to the SGS website at https://www.sgs.cityu.edu.hk/student/TPg/record/progtransfer.
Students are encouraged to complete the programme in 3 years but they may study the programme at a quicker pace. The maximum period of study which is applicable to students of 2010 cohort and thereafter is 5 years.
LW5656 Company Law I
LW5657 Company Law II
With effect from 1 April 2019, applicants who apply for CEF for the first time are required to complete the “Continuing Education Fund Application Form” and provide all supporting documents for applying for both account opening and fee reimbursement at the same time. This form is also applicable to applicants who have already opened a CEF account to apply for fee reimbursement only.
If you wish to apply for CEF, please complete the application form which is available here:
https://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/cef/en/application/forms.htm.
Claimants should submit an application to the Office of the Continuing Education Fund (OCEF). They are also required to observe the following with regard to the eligibility of claiming reimbursements from the OCEF:
a. CEF claimants will be eligible for fee reimbursement only upon their successful completion of the whole course; and
b. CEF claimants are required to attain an overall mark of either 50% or such higher percentage of assessment(s) as prescribed for the course (whichever is higher) as assessed by whichever method approved by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare (including any examination and assignment requirements with approved weighting) before they are eligible for fee reimbursement; and
c. CEF claimants are required to attend no less than 70% of the contactable hours of the course or such higher attendance requirement as prescribed for the course (whichever is higher) to meet the fee reimbursement criteria.
For details, please refer to the email issued by CityU School of Law General Office at the beginning of a new semester or simply visit the following website: http://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/cef/intro.htm
Professor Daniel PASCOE
Associate Professor
JD Programme Director
School of Law
City University of Hong Kong
83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 3442 7029
Fax: (852) 3442 0190
Email: dcpascoe@cityu.edu.hk
Dr Sara TSUI
Teaching Fellow
JD Programme Associate Director
School of Law
City University of Hong Kong
83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 3442 7162
Fax: (852) 3442 0190
Email: lwsara@cityu.edu.hk
Room 6101, 6/F
Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin Academic Building
83 Tat Chee Avenue
Kowloon Tong, Kowloon
Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 3442 8008
Fax: (852) 3442 0190
Email: slwjdp@cityu.edu.hk
Website: //www.cityu.edu.hk/slw
