Q&A

Q.1 Where can I find information about pupillage in Hong Kong? Q.2 How should I plan my pupillage? Q.3 How do I find a pupil master? Q.4 How many pupil masters should I have? Q.5 What happens if my pupillage is so arranged that the last part of my 12-month pupillage becomes less than 3 months? Q.6 What should I do if I still have a month or just a few days of the 12-month pupillage to serve but the validity of my certificate of eligibility for pupillage would expire before then? Q.7 Could the period of pupillage be less than 12 months? Q.8 Could I extend my pupillage beyond 12 months? Q.9 Could I serve my pupillage in parts? Q.10 May I take holidays during pupillage? Q.11 Do I get paid during pupillage? Q.12 Could I have a part time job during pupillage? Q.13 When should I submit my application for commencement of pupillage? Q.14 Who may issue the 2 letters of reference as to my character for attachment to Form 5? Q.15 What should be included in the letter of reference as to my character? Q.16 What should I do if the certificate of my PCLL qualification is not issued yet? Q.17 I find that the wordings of Form 5 do not fully reflect my circumstances at the time of the application (e.g. for reasons such as the answer to Q.16 above). Could and should I alter the wordings of the form? Q.18 Is there an application fee for the certificate of eligibility? Q.19 What happens after I have filed my Form 5? Q.20 How do I apply for continuation of my pupillage with another pupil master? Q.21 What other documents should I acquire during pupillage? Q.22 How much detail should I record in my pupillage logbook? Q.23 How do I know if my pupillage logbook is acceptable? Q.24 When can I apply for admission as a barrister? Q.25 Do I need to attach 2 new letters of reference to my Form 3? Q.26 Is there an application fee for the certificate of qualification for admission? Q.27 How do I apply to the court? Q.28 When do I expect the court would hear my application for admission? Q.29 What else should I prepare for attending the hearing of my motion for admission? Q.30 Where can I acquire the barrister’s attire? Q.31 What is limited practice? Q.32 Do I have to carry on limited practice? Q.33 How do I apply for limited practice? Q.34 Is there any way I would be able to commence limited practice as soon after my admission as possible? Q.35 What other steps should I take upon commencement of limited practice? Q.36 How do I apply for commencement of full practice? Q.37 Do I need to secure tenancy at a set of chambers for commencing full practice? Q.38 How do I know more about the ALE programmes? Q.39 How could I ensure that I would be able to accumulate the necessary ALE points by the end of my pupillage? Q.40 What should I do if I am yet to accumulate all the necessary ALE points upon completion of the 12-month pupillage? Q.41 How do I become a member of Young Barristers Committee?

Apart from the answers to Q.2 and Q.3 above, there is no specific requirement or restriction as to the number of pupil masters one may have. However, pupillage with a particular barrister for less than 3 months is normally not approved. Further, you may not serve pupillage with more than one Senior Counsel or with a Senior Counsel for a period of more than 3 months.