UGC'S PROPOSED WITHDRAWAL OF FUNDING FOR PCLL

The Bar noted with some relief a recent clarification by the University Grants Committee (UGC) in the press that it had made no decision yet to withdraw funding for the Postgraduate Certificate of Laws Course (P C LL). The Bar is, however, still anxious that the UGC has not definitely confirmed that it will not do so.

Lawyers, like doctors, dentists and architects, have always been subsidised in pursuing their pre-qualification training. P C LL together with the LL B programme constitutes one complete curriculum to prepare graduates for the practice of law in Hong Kong. There is no reason for lawyers to be singled out and treated differently from the other professional disciplines. It will be a sad day for Hong Kong if only the rich can afford the training to become lawyers.

Hong Kong Bar Association