Hong Kong Regulations

BARRISTERS (QUALIFICATION FOR ADMISSION AND PUPILLAGE) RULES - SECT 10

Approved pupillage

(1) The period of approved pupillage shall be-

   (a)  a period of not less than 1 year in the chambers of a practising
        barrister (of not less than 5 years standing as a barrister) in Hong
        Kong; or

   (b)  a period of not less than 9 months in the Department of Justice, which
        may include a period not exceeding 3 months on secondment to the Legal
        Aid Department, so long as he has also spent a period of not less than
        3 months in such service as is described in paragraph (a).

(2) The period of approved pupillage mentioned in subsection (1) may, with the
Bar Council's approval, include any period not exceeding one month spent by a
person as a judge's marshall in Hong Kong after the issue to that person of a
certificate of eligibility for pupillage.

(3) A person undertaking pupillage is subject to the Code of  Conduct.

(4) A person shall not be regarded as having completed the period of
approved pupillage or any part of it unless he has-

   (a)  obtained a certificate from the practising barrister of whom he has
        been a pupil stating that-

        (i)    he has diligently served his period of pupillage with the
               practising barrister; and

        (ii)   in the opinion of the practising barrister, he is a fit and
               suitable person to practise as a barrister in Hong Kong;

   (b)  (where he has spent a period as a judge's marshall) obtained a
        certificate from those for whom he has served as marshall stating that
        he has diligently served his period as marshall;

   (c)  (subject to such exemption as the Bar Council may grant under
        section 8 of the
        Barristers (Advanced Legal Education Requirement) Rules ( Cap 159 sub.
        leg. AB)) satisfactorily completed the Advanced Legal 
        Education Programme and obtained a certificate from the Bar Council to
        that effect; and

   (d)  satisfied the Bar Council that he has complied with the requirements
        of pupillage stipulated in the Code of Conduct.

(5) A person shall not commence the period of approved pupillage specified in
subsection (1) unless he holds a valid certificate of 
eligibility for pupillage pursuant to section 12(1).

(6) The Bar Council may in its absolute discretion accept any period of work
in the nature of pupillage undertaken in Hong Kong in-

   (a)  the chambers of a practising barrister (of not less than 5 years
        standing as a barrister); or

   (b)  the Department of Justice, by a person after obtaining a
        certificate of eligibility for pupillage, as a period of
        approved pupillage or part of it, as required by these Rules.