Legal Executives in law firms enjoy professional status and may be given certain limited rights of audience in accordance with the Court’s Practice Direction to represent lay client. To use the title "Legal Executive (LE)," graduates of this programme must meet the new Benchmark standard of The Law Society of Hong Kong (HKLS). Whether graduates of this programme are recognised to have rights of audience is a matter for the Judiciary.

Programme Aims and Features

This programme aims to assist students to develop professional skills to work in legal field and provide students with a strong academic foundation for further academic pursuit in law. It is designed to prepare students to work as Legal Executives in law firms and government. It is modelled after a popular part-time programme “Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies” as accredited by HKLS.

In accordance with the HKLS’s Benchmark, students will attend interactive sessions in medium class size groups based on pre-assigned and pre-read materials so that students can get more interaction with teachers and peers. Lectures are taught by experienced practitioners and legal academics, which workshops focused on law-related work and skill-based tasks have been included as part of this programme. Students will learn about substantive Hong Kong law and practice as well as acquire practical skills to work in the legal field.

Opportunities for Further Studies

Graduates from the programme are eligible to apply for admission to different degree programmes offered by local universities through non-JUPAS means. The academic progression pathways will include LLB programmes offered locally and overseas. Holders of HKU SPACE Higher Diploma satisfy the general entrance requirements of the University of London External System. However, the University of London External System reserves the right to request applicants to provide evidence acceptable to the University of oral and written competence in English before an offer of registration can be made.

Career Prospects

Job opportunities can be found in both public and private business sectors, such as solicitor’s firms, barristers’ chambers, law enforcement bodies and government.

Professional Recognition

U.K. Institute of Paralegals

The Higher Diploma for Legal Executives (“HDLE”) is recognised by the Institute of Paralegals, the UK professional body for paralegals which sets national competency standards for paralegals and others.
(see www.InstituteofParalegals.org and www.LegalStandards.org).

HDLE students can join the Institute as student members. Once successfully completed they can take associate membership (which confers a professional title: Associate Paralegal and letters after one’s name: A.Inst.Pa. After a minimum one year’s paralegal work experience, HDLE holders can obtain Institute Fellowship (which confers a professional title: Certified Paralegal and letters after one's name: F.Inst.Pa.).

Law Society of Hong Kong

Under Hong Kong Law Society’s Benchmarks^#, HDLE graduates will be eligible to use the title “Legal Executive”.

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
HDLE graduates can apply for Paper F4 exemption from The Association of Chartered Certificate Accountants (ACCA).

Support by Legal Practitioners

Pádraig Walsh Partner Barlow Lyde & Gilbert Solicitors Internaltional law firm

“Legal executives are the oil that fires the engine of much of the work of a law firm. Not only will legal executives perform a vital role in a wide range of legal work undertaken by law firms and private businesses, but also the role of legal executive can provide a platform for further development of a professional career in law. It is a significant advantage in a very challenging recruitment market for aspiring legal executives to demonstrate their training and ability by having a dedicated qualification that focuses on the needs and requirements of a successful legal executive in Hong Kong. The Higher Diploma for Legal Executives fulfils this need admirably and is welcome addition to the available options for people wishing to pursue this career path.”

James O’ Connell Chief Executive United Kingdom, Institute of Paralegals Solicitor, England & Wales

“HDLE recognised as an international qualification”
“The Institute of Paralegals warmly welcomes this excellent, practice-orientated HDLE.”
“Although law and procedure tends to be jurisdiction-specific, this HDLE provides students with many skills which are recognised and needed in all jurisdictions.”

^# Hong Kong Law Society’s Benchmarks

Applicants who do not possess the minimum entry requirements but aged 21 or above and have 3 years law-related working experience will be considered by the College. These applicants, if admitted, will still need to fulfill the English language proficiency requirements of HKLS’s Benchmarks before they are eligible to use the professional title “Legal Executive” in law firms. They will be reminded that if they are admitted to the Programme, their eligibility to use the “Legal Executive” title is subject to their achievement of a minimum:-

• Grade D in English language (Syllabus B) or equivalent in pre-2007 HKCEE or a minimum Level 3 in English Language from 2007 HKCEE onwards; or
• Overall score of 6 in IELTS (International English Language Testing System).

Press Interview – Sing Tao Daily

2-year Programme (Direct Entry to Year 1)

HKDSE

• Level 2 or above in 3 subjects^# PLUS level 2 or above in Chinese Language and a minimum level 3 in English Language or equivalent;

Applicants have a minimum level 3 in English Language but whose HKDSE results do not meet the entry requirements of the 2-year Higher Diploma Programme should apply for admission to the Certificate in General Studies Programme^⁺ (HP83-401) and will be considered for admission to this 2-year Higher Diploma Programme.

OR

HKALE

• Pass in one AL subject or two AS subjects in the HKALE; and three passes in HKCEE* PLUS level 2/Grade E or above in Chinese Language and a minimum level 3/Grade D in English Language or equivalent;

Applicants have a minimum level 3/Grade D in HKCEE English Language but whose HKALE results do not meet the entry requirements of the 2-year Higher Diploma Programme should apply for admission to the Foundation Programme⁺ (HP83-409) and will be considered for admission to this 2-year Higher Diploma Programme.

OR

• Hold a recognised Pre-Associate Degree / Foundation Programme qualification; OR
• Hold a recognised post-secondary certificate or diploma.

^ Subject to EDB approval.

+ For the entry requirements of the Certificate in General Studies Programme or Foundation Programme, please refer to the "Entry Requirements".

^#Applicants are allowed to use not more than two Applied Learning (ApL) subjects in the application.
The recognition of the ApL subjects is as follows:
“Attained with distinction” is deemed equivalent to Level 3; and
“Attained” is deemed equivalent to Level 2.

* A successfully completed quality-assured Applied Learning Course will be recognised as comparable to a HKCEE subject pass (up to a maximum of two subjects), not including Chinese Language and English Language.

Applicants who do not possess the above academic qualifications but aged 21 or above and have 3 years law-related working experience will be considered by the College. These applicants, if admitted, will still need to fulfill the English language proficiency requirements of HKLS’s Benchmarks before they are eligible to use the professional title “Legal Executive” in law firms. They will be reminded that if they are admitted to the Programme, their eligibility to use the “Legal Executive” title is subject to their achievement of a minimum:

• A minimum Level 3 in English Language in HKDSE since 2012; or
• Grade D in English language (Syllabus B) or equivalent in pre-2007 HKCEE or a minimum Level 3 in English Language from 2007 HKCEE onwards; or
• Overall score of 6 in IELTS (International English Language Testing System).

Higher Diploma Year 1

• General English III
• English for Academic and Professional Purposes Part I
• Putonghua
• Introduction to Multimedia / Introduction to Information Technology
• Introduction to Law and Hong Kong Legal System
• Law and Contractual Transactions
• Land Law and Conveyancing
• Legal Writing and Drafting
• Business Associations
• Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure
• Civil Procedure I and II

Higher Diploma Year 2

• English for Academic and Professional Purposes Part II
• Business Communication in English
• Practical Chinese
• Intra- and Interpersonal Competencies
• Professional Responsibility and Advocacy
• Family Law and Matrimonial Practice
• Torts Law and Personal Injury Practice
• Law of Succession and Probate Practice
• Negotiation and Handling Disputes
• Using Legal and Company Forms for Business
• Introduction to the Mainland Legal System