The exam will be set and marked by the society itself, and is designed to standardise testing across Hong Kong's three law schools. However, some have raised concerns that the new common exam may have an adverse effect on the standard of legal training in Hong Kong. Currently, new solicitors are required to complete a postgraduate certificate in law (PCLL), administered by one of Hong Kong's law schools, in order to be admitted to practice. However, under the Law Society's new standardised model, completing the PCLL will be deemed sufficient and passing its examination will no longer be required.
'Serious implications'
University of Hong Kong acting law dean Simon Young has called into question the Law Society's stance, suggesting that the standardised examination procedure is both ill-considered and unjustified. 'We believe that any relaxation which allows the [common exam] without the PCLL will have serious implications for the system of legal education and entry into the legal profession,' Mr Young said. The decision has also been called premature, as Hong Kong's Standing Committee on Legal Education and Training is scheduled to complete an ongoing review of the city's legal education and training system later this year. Source: South China Morning Post
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