Course Selection Period
You must select ALL your courses for the entire 2022-2023 academic year in this period 10:00 am, 4 Aug 2022 – 4:00 pm, 10 Aug 2022
1st semester Dates
Teaching Period 8 Sep 2022 – 30 Nov 2022
Add-drop Period, except intensive courses
(See Note 1; for MCL students see also Note 2) 8 – 21 Sep 2022
Assessment Period 8 – 23 Dec 2022
(For LLM(MEL) students see also Note 3 for dates for CMED, NURS and SOWK courses.)
January semester (Optional) Dates
Teaching Period Jan 2023
Add-drop Period (See Note 1) Ends immediately after the second class
Assessment Period Feb – May 2023 (TBC by course teacher(s))
2nd semester Dates
Teaching Period 30 Jan 2023 – 29 Apr 2023
Add-drop Period, except intensive courses
(See Note 1; for MCL students see also Note 4) 30 Jan 2023 – 11 Feb 2023
Assessment Period 8 – 23 May 2023
(For LLM(MEL) students see also Note 3 for dates for CMED, NURS and SOWK courses.)
June semester (Optional; for MCL students see Note 5) Dates
Teaching Period 24 May 2023 – 30 Jun 2023
Add-drop Period (See Note 1) Ends immediately after the second class
Assessment Period Jun - Jul 2023 (TBC by course teacher(s))
Note 1: Intensive courses are any courses that are taught within a short period of time (typically 3-4 weeks). Add-drop period for all intensive courses, including January and June semester courses, ends immediately after the second class.
Note 2: The add-drop period for MCL students choosing a one-semester or a full-year LLB course in the 1st semester is 10:00 am, 1 Sep 2022 – 4:00 pm, 15 Sep 2022.
Note 3: LLM(MEL) students should note that the teaching and assessment periods of CMED, NURS and SOWK courses varies depending on the course and may not be the same as that of the Department of Law. Please write to cmel@hku.hk for more information.
Note 4: The add-drop period for MCL students choosing a one-semester LLB course in the 2nd semester is 10:00 am, 16 Jan 2023 – 4:00 pm, 6 Feb 2023.
Note 5: MCL students are not allowed to take courses in June semester.
(1) There is a minimum attendance requirement of 70% for each course, failing which you may not be permitted to sit the final examination. If you are unable to attend any class or you have any difficulties in continuing the programme, please inform the General Office in writing (LLMMCL@hku.hk) as soon as possible or as soon as practicable.
(2) Warning letters may be issued to those students who have missed two classes. Students will be required to give formal explanations to the Head of Department for their absences. Medical proof must be provided if the absence was due to illness, otherwise, no leave will be granted. As a general rule, work-related reasons are not sufficient to justify non-attendance at classes.
(3) LLM(MEL) Students must attend at least 80% of the classes of CMED courses. Where a student has already missed more than 20% of the classes, his or her request to add will not be considered even if the add-drop period for CMED courses above has not yet expired.
If you hope to undertake a research dissertation as part of your programme, you should first contact a potential supervisor as early as possible to discuss the proposed topic. Begin by checking the research interests of faculty members listed at Faculty’s website. Further details and instructions for preparing a dissertation proposal are given in the course descriptions under LLAW6014 (18 credits) and LLAW6054 (9 credits).
For LLM students
(a) You must access the online system during the course selection period to choose ALL your courses for the entire academic year. This will only be available in August.
(b) If you have a degree in a discipline other than law, you must take the foundational law course(s) in your first year to gain the background knowledge which is essential for the more advanced courses in the programme.
(c) When your course choices are saved online, the system will prompt you to select up to three extra “back-up courses”. You are strongly encouraged to enter back-up course selections – most elective courses have fixed quotas, which means that the first-choice courses you have selected do not guarantee a place on those courses. If you do not select a back-up course and you are unsuccessful getting into your first-choice course, you will effectively fall to the back of the queue in terms of course selection priority.
(d) You may use the online course system to modify your choice of courses before the end of the course selection period. The General Office will begin to process enrolment requests only after the system is closed.
(e) Priority in an oversubscribed course is generally given to students who have properly registered for the course (see (c) above) and who need that course to fulfil syllabus requirements.
(f) The General Office will confirm your enrolments by email at the end of August.
For LLM(MEL) students
(a) The offering of CMED and NURS courses is subject to the confirmation by the School of Public Health (SPH) and School of Nursing (SoN). The dates of semester of SPH and SoN is slightly different from that of our Department. You are suggested to double-check the course schedule of CMED and NURS for more details.
(b) The offering of SOWK courses is subject to the confirmation by the Department of Social Work and Social Administration. SOWK courses are offered in 1st and 2nd semester only.
(c) If you are a full-time LLM(MEL) student or a part-time LLM(MEL) Year 2 student, you must opt for LLAW6054 9-credit Dissertation (“the Dissertation”) or LLAW6273 Practicum Project (“the Practicum”) as your capstone course in the course selection period, and will be able to switch to the other capstone course on or before the add-drop deadline.
For MCL students
(a) You must access SIS in HKU Portal during the course selection period to choose ALL your courses for the entire academic year.
(b) When planning your course selections please note any applicable prerequisites – some courses require you to successfully complete another course prior to being eligible to take the course. You must plan your study programme in view of any such prerequisites.
(c) You may visit SIS to modify your choice of courses before the end of the course selection period. The General Office will begin to process enrolment requests only after the system is closed.
(d) Most elective courses have fixed quotas. Priority in an oversubscribed course is generally given to students who need that course to fulfil syllabus requirements.
(e) You may check your course selection results on SIS at the end of August.
Changes to Course Selection
(a) You must obtain prior General Office approval if your intended plan of study differs in any way from the programme requirements of your programme and instructions given for online course selection. Write before 31 August 2022 to LLMMCL@hku.hk, explaining your reasons with supporting documents for requesting a change with a study plan, and citing your full name, student number, programme title and mode of study. Example: Chan Tai Man John, 3035123456, LLM PT2.
(b) If a course is full and you would like to be waitlisted for that course (for LLM(MEL) students also see Note 1 below), or if you would like to seek a waiver for a pre-requisite of a course, you should complete the online request form for waitlist/course pre-requisite waiver before the first class of the course. You will need to submit separate request forms if you wish to be waitlisted for more than one course. The names on the waitlist will be recorded on a first-come-first-serve basis. The waitlist will be closed and no further names added if too many names are already on the waitlist. Ms Estella Ng of the General Office will process your request if a place becomes available. If your name remains on the waitlist, you must attend the first class, add your name to the attendance sheet, and introduce yourself to the instructor.
Note 1 [Applicable to LLM(MEL students taking CMED, NURS and SOWK courses]: Any student who has not yet formally enrolled in the course by the time classes begin should contact the course teacher to ask about the arrangement regarding attendance.
(c)(i) [For LLMs students] You may change your selection and finalise your course enrolment by completing the online course add-drop request form during the add‒drop period of each semester or intensive course (but see Note 2 below). Ms Estella Ng will process your request if a place becomes available.
(c)(ii) [For MCL students] You may change your selection and finalise your course enrolment:
(1) For LLB courses: by SIS during the add‒drop period of the 1st and 2nd semester;
(2) For LLM courses after SIS is closed: by completing the online course add-drop request form before the end of the add‒drop period of the 1st and 2nd semester;
(3) For intensive course: by completing the online course add-drop request form before the end of the second class of the course. (but see Note 2 below).
Note 2: Dropping an intensive course in mid‒semester means that you may be unable to make up lost credits in that same semester, and will need to take an extra course in the semester that follows.
(d) The General Office deals with hundreds of queries during the add‒drop period and may be unable to respond immediately to your request. If you receive no reply to a submitted Application for Course Amendments form, you may assume that the request has been accepted. If your name is missing from a course attendance list, then when classes begin simply inform the course instructor and add your name to the list.
(e) No amendments to course enrolment will be permitted after the add‒drop period.
(1) FAQs on Visa-related Matters (by Admissions Office, Registry, HKU)
(2) Non-local students who wish to take up curriculum-related internship in Hong Kong during their semester break, reading week, or after their final exams should approach the General Office (in-person at 10/F Cheng Yu Tung Tower, or by email at LLMMCL@hku.hk) for eligibility checking and necessary document(s) before they accept internship offers.
(3) Final year students intending to apply for a new Hong Kong student, work or IANG visa after completing their programmes should note that all applications to the Immigration Department must include appropriate proof of completion, for example, a final transcript or certificate of graduation issued by the HKU Registry. Course grades for 2nd semester are normally available each year in late June or early July; grades for June semester courses will be available only after September. The Immigration Department typically takes 8 weeks to process visa applications, and it is recommended that non–local students complete ALL of their programme requirements (including submitting a final dissertation if necessary) by the end of the 2nd semester to avoid a delay in the issue of a new visa.
(4) A student visa will expire on the date as shown on the landing slip, or four weeks after termination of studies, whichever is earlier. Non-local students who expect that their student visa will expire before the approval of their next visa in Hong Kong should apply for “Extension of Stay” directly at the Immigration Department. Click here for details and application.
Legal Essentials Seminars
About the seminars
Note: Attendance at this seminars is strongly recommended to all non-law graduates students in the LLMs programme.
The Department of Law is organising a series of seminars aimed at providing non-law graduates in the LLM programmes with a better understanding of legal concepts and the legal process prior to starting their LLM studies. These seminars will also help students to improve their legal research and writing skills throughout their first year of studies.
There will be a total of six seminars with a quota of 50 students per group. Both groups cover exactly the same material. You only need to register for one group.
Students who are interested in the seminars are required to register in advance. Although the seminars are provided on a voluntary basis, students will be expected to attend all of the six seminars as well as participating in in-class activities and writing exercises etc.
This course is non-credit bearing, non-compulsory and non-graded.
Course convenor: Mr Richard Holt, Adjunct Associate Professor, HKU
Biography
After qualifying as a Barrister at Law with the Inner Temple and completing pupillage Richard Holt later worked with Clyde & Co, Solicitors, in their London office as a shipping lawyer.
In 1992, Richard took up a position as Senior Lecturer and later Principal Lecturer at the Inns of Court School of Law and taught there for 6 years on the Bar Vocational Course.
In 1998. Richard returned to private practice as a shipping lawyer.
In 2000, Richard became the Director of the Bar Vocational Course at BPP College. Richard was a Director of BPP College from 2003 onwards and in 2006 the Deputy Chief Executive. Richard led and taught on the Bar Vocational Course at BPP College for over 7 years.
Richard joined The University of Hong Kong, Law Faculty in September 2010 as the Director of Legal Research and Writing in the Department of Law. He taught Contract Law, Civil Procedure and Drafting Contractual Clauses and, also was Module Leader and taught and designed the following courses: Legal Research and Writing I, Legal Research and Writing II, Arbitration Law, Private International Law (Conflicts) and Law of International Trade.
Since 2014, Richard, as an Associate Adjunct Professor at The University of Hong Kong, has taught the following courses: Understanding the Common Law on the MCL programme, Introduction to Law and Legal Thinking on the LLM(CR) programme and International Trade Law on the LLM programme. Richard also teaches “Legal Essentials Seminars” for LLM students, which is specifically designed for non-law students.
Since 2014, Richard has also taught in the Law School at the University of Surrey. He has taught Contract Law, Company Law and Commercial Law: International Sales, there.
Schedules:
Group 1: For LLM(Arb&DR) students only. (Quota: 50 students)
Group 2: For other LLMs students. (Quota: 50 students)
Format: Online via Zoom. (Meeting links and details will only be sent to the successful registrants by email on Aug 19 afternoon).
Registration period: From 3:00pm, August 11, 2022 to 3:00pm August 18, 2022. Please click here to register.
[LLM(CR)] Introduction to Law and Legal Thinking
About the Course
Note: Attendance at this course is strongly recommended to all students in the LLM(CR) programme.
This is a preparation course for students undertaking the LLM(CR) programme. Following the completion of the course, students should have an appreciation of:
1. how the legal system works;
2. how basic elements of the law (such as contract, equity and tort) might interact with subjects of their study within the LLM(CR) programme; and
3. legal analysis and legal writing techniques.
This course is non-credit bearing, non-compulsory and non-graded. Self-study materials will be provided in class or via Moodle.
There is no set textbook for the course however reference will be made to books you may wish to consult for further study.
All classes are intended to be interactive and students are encouraged to participate fully in all aspects of the class.
Time will be allowed for students wishing to raise questions on any aspect of the material covered.
Course convenor: Mr Richard Holt, Adjunct Associate Professor, HKU
Schedule:
(2:30pm-5:30pm, Hong Kong Time) Aug 22*, 27, 28, Sep 3, 4, 2022; and
(5:30pm-8:30pm, Hong Kong Time) Sep 10, 2022
*Pre-recorded seminar.
Format: Online via Zoom except Aug 22 (Meeting links and details will only be sent to the successful registrants by email on Aug 19 afternoon)
Registration period: From 10:00am, August 11, 2022 to 3:00pm August 18, 2022. Please click here to register.
