All persons who want to practise as a barrister in Hong Kong are required to serve pupillage with another practising barrister of not less than 5 years standing.  The length of pupillage is normally one year although the period may be shortened in certain cases. 

According to the requirements under s 4(3) of the Qualification Admission and Pupillage Rules [1], a person must have completed not less than six months of the period of approved pupillage before seeking admission as a barrister. In order to practise, however, he or she must undertake pupillage for a further six months, during which time he or she has a limited right to practise under the supervision of his pupil master.