D. ADMISSION

Q.24 When can I apply for admission as a barrister?

You must first apply from the Bar Council a certificate of qualification for admission (Form 3, Sch.2 Barristers (Qualification for Admission and Pupillage) Rules) upon completing the first 6 months of your pupillage. You need to attach to your Form 3 the certificate(s) issued by your pupil master(s) that you have completed the relevant period of pupillage diligently and you are fit and suitable to practise as a barrister. You also need to submit to the Bar Council your pupillage logbook. Upon receipt of your certificate, you may proceed to apply to the court for admission.

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Q.25 Do I need to attach 2 new letters of reference to my Form 3?

Letter of reference has to be written recently. You may ask the same referees who wrote the letters of reference for your Form 5 application to write for you again.

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Q.26 Is there an application fee for the certificate of qualification for admission?

Yes, HK$750.

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Q.27 How do I apply to the court?

The application for admission is made by way of notice of motion to the High Court. The solicitors acting for you would file the motion papers on your behalf. It is not uncommon that arrangement could be made so that solicitors are willing to act for you on a complimentary basis. Occasionally pupils act in person. Likewise, it is the tradition of the Bar that your pupil master would be ready to be instructed on a complimentary basis to move your admission at the hearing. In any event, you need to pay the fee prescribed by the court for the application.

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Q.28 When do I expect the court would hear my application for admission?

Upon receipt of the notice of motion, the court will fix a date, normally a Saturday morning, for the hearing of the motion which shall be not less than 14 days after the filing.

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Q.29 What else should I prepare for attending the hearing of my motion for admission?

You would be required to be fully robed as a barrister to attend the hearing. Therefore be sure that you have the barrister’s attire ready by then. See Annex 11 of the Code for the dress code.

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Q.30 Where can I acquire the barrister’s attire?

You may need to order the barrister’s attire locally and/or from overseas. If necessary, you may contact the members of the Young Barristers Committee or the Bar Secretariat for information. Since the ordering process takes time, you are advised to make the necessary arrangement 3 months in advance of your admission.

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