Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL)

“Although the CityU PCLL year passed surprisingly quickly for me, it was memorable at each and every step. I particularly enjoyed engaging with bright legal minds from various backgrounds in the large and small group classes. Professors were nothing short of excellent and always supportive. The campus facilities, such as the library and moot court, were key resources for our growth and development.
 

Thought-provoking elective courses were available to cater to my own career goals. For instance, I took the International Arbitration Practice course as my elective. The professor imparted a great deal of knowledge to the class, both in theory and practice. This laid the strong foundation that would lead me to eventually win accolades later on in my legal career, including the 2023 LexisNexis 40 Under 40 Award and the 2022 Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) HK45 essay competition on the topic of confidentiality and transparency in arbitration.
 

My PCLL experience precipitated the legal achievements that would later come to fruition. With that, I am truly grateful and proud to have chosen CityU for my PCLL. I have no hesitation in recommending any aspiring lawyer to enroll in their PCLL programme."

“Why is the City U PCLL Programme so highly respected? It is the people.
 

Not only does the programme boast a team of experienced and renowned legal professional who bring their expertise and real-world experience into the classroom, but the students who have enrolled are able to translate their legal knowledge into professional skills through various guided practical exercises and simulations. The programme’s wide range of elective courses also allows for students to tailor their studies to their specific interests and career goals, whilst being fully supported by tutors and lecturers who open the doors to success.
 

As a barrister, I found strong emphasis in advocacy extremely useful as it gave me the confidence to translate legal theory into legal application. Additionally, the skillfully taught components of legal drafting, research and negotiation gave me all confidence that upon my admission to the Hong Kong Bar, I was well prepared for any situation which may come across my desk.
 

Having both large group and small groups classes allowed me to foster close relationships with my classmates and gave me the opportunity to consider legal problems from a different perspective. My classmates very quickly became my friends, and their motivation and support became a crucial building block to succeeding. I often look back at my time in the Programme with fondness and cherish the lifelong friends I made.
 

A successful legal career is made possible by having both legal knowledge and understanding how to translate that knowledge into real-world applicability. The CityU PCLL program equips students with the necessary abilities to thrive and excel in the legal profession.”
 

“The CityU PCLL helped provide me with the practical skills required to succeed as a lawyer. Their teachers were primarily focused on practical situations, and combined academic knowledge with real-life experience to deliver focused education for the real world. Overall, I am very satisfied with my choice of CityU for the PCLL programme and I believe that it is fundamental for the success of any new law graduate.
 

My experiences with the CityU PCLL were exemplary, and the skills that I developed during the PCLL still serve me well as a foundational cornerstone for my current practice. With specific courses designed for those looking to specialize in a specific practice area, more time can be dedicated to ensuring that graduates are prepared with the basics required to learn once they have eventually graduated.
 

Moreover, the community of individuals that I have gotten to know over the course of my PCLL education has proven to be an invaluable asset in both my professional and personal life. The friendships forged over the course of the programme have remained to this day. The structure of the PCLL programme at CityU helps foster this community, and ensures that every student not only gets direct tutelage under experienced practitioners, but also makes sure that graduates have a support network of friends and colleagues as they make their way into the legal world.”

“The CityU PCLL is meticulously designed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical legal skills, marking a vital transition for trainee solicitors or pupil barristers. I discovered that the courses in the CityU PCLL closely mirror the tasks junior lawyers undertake, encouraging students to adopt a pragmatic approach to legal challenges.
 

Regarding the lecturers and tutors, I was impressed and surprised to find that most of them are experienced practicing solicitors or barristers. Some have even held positions as prosecutors, magistrates, in various government sectors, or from prestige international law firms in Hong Kong. They offer an invaluable reservoir of practical wisdom, which could never be obtained from textbooks or case law alone, thus ensuring students are well-prepared for their roles in the legal industry.
 

Another distinctive feature of the CityU PCLL is its integration with technological advancements and academic integrity standards. CityU encourages students to use Artificial Intelligence tools to enhance learning experiences, recognising the importance of technology in modern legal practice. This approach not only facilitates interactive and engaging learning environments but also prepares students for the digital evolution of the legal profession. On the other hand, CityU upholds stringent anti-plagiarism policies, emphasising the significance of integrity and originality in legal scholarship and practice. This dual focus on technology and academic honesty ensures that students graduate with a strong ethical foundation and are adept at leveraging technology in their future careers.
 

CityU’s relationship with the People's Republic of China (PRC) enriches the PCLL programme by providing students with a broader perspective on legal practices and regulations in the Greater China region. This was evident when I took the course on “Foundations in Mainland Related Legal Transactions,” which offered me valuable practical knowledge and insight into real-life transactions. This exposure is crucial for students interested in cross-border legal matters, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of laws in Hong Kong and the mainland.
 

A cornerstone of the CityU PCLL experience is the institution's unwavering commitment to considering student feedback. CityU has established regular channels for collecting students’ response, such as face-to-face meeting groups and feedback sessions, ensuring that the curriculum and teaching methods remain dynamic and responsive to student needs. This student-centered approach fosters a learning environment where improvements are continuously made, reflecting the collective insights of the student body.
 

In summary, the CityU PCLL programme stands out for its practical legal training, innovative use of technology, commitment to academic integrity, and attentiveness to student feedback. Its connection to the PRC and emphasis on technology, particularly in preventing plagiarism and enhancing academic experiences, prepare students for the challenges of modern legal practice. This further underscores CityU's dedication to providing an education that is both relevant and rigorous, ensuring graduates are well-equipped to make significant contributions to the legal profession. Through this comprehensive approach, the CityU PCLL not only educates but also inspires the next generation of legal professionals.”

“Reflecting on my time in the CityU PCLL program fills me with immense gratitude and appreciation for the comprehensive legal education it provided. The curriculum's firm grounding in practical legal skills has been invaluable. From my beginnings as a trainee solicitor, progressing to become a funds lawyer, and now serving as an in-house counsel, the curriculum has been directly applicable to my daily responsibilities, especially in terms of commercial legal drafting, corporate law and financial regulatory law.
 

The opportunity to learn from seasoned instructors has contributed significantly to the distinctiveness of the program. They have not only shaped my legal acumen but also laid down the keystones of professionalism and ethical conduct that define the essence of an excellent legal practitioner.
 

What further elevates the CityU PCLL experience is the community it fosters. I always looked forward to the small group tutorials where my groupmates and I learned to work together as a team to resolve issues, almost like a mini law firm. The friends I have made are now not just peers but an important part of my professional network and personal life. Looking back, I am proud to see how my friends have developed their potential and grown as qualified solicitors, barristers or in the commercial field.
 

The CityU PCLL has not only equipped me with a robust legal foundation but has also instilled a sense of purpose and community, which I will carry forward into my career and beyond. I would like to sincerely thank CityU School of Law and staff members of the PCLL program for their dedication to excellence in legal education.”

“The CityU PCLL programme enhanced my study and understanding of law from an academic level to practical and analytical ones. It was a crucial process of transformation for me to be equipped for becoming a solicitor.
 

The CityU PCLL programme has traditionally been a comprehensive all-round programme which helps students realise their strength and potential. Whilst the PCLL programme is unquestionably challenging, all the course leaders and tutors are determined to furnish all PCLL students with excellent training and practical skills and to assist them in developing their career as a legal professional.
 

I will always remember the time when all my groupmates supported each other when we were going through difficult assignments and examinations. The CityU PCLL programme was a milestone in initiating my profession. I also learnt one of the most important principles from it: paying close attention to details is the key to excellence.”