International FAQs

• Academic Requirements

  What is the IELTS test?

  
  

  The IELTS is an English proficiency exam.  The test is mandatory even if you are a native English speaker.  You must achieve a score of 7 or higher before you can be accepted on to any Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (or "PCLL") course.

  
  

  Please refer to the IELTS website for more information.

  
  

   

  
  

  Can I apply for the PCLL before I sit the IELTS exam?

  
  

  Yes you may apply for the PCLL before you sit the IELTS – in fact, most law schools tend to make conditional offers on the basis that you will achieve the necessary grade in the IELTS.  However, please contact the relevant university to find out their exact policy regarding IELTS.

  
  

   

  
  

  Which University should I do my PCLL at?  Does it matter?

  
  

  You must take it at one of the following universities:

  
  

  · The University of Hong Kong

  
  

  · The Chinese University of Hong Kong

  
  

  · The City University of Hong Kong

  
  

  PM does not prefer one university over the other.

  
  

   

  
  

  What happens / what should I do if I fail a module on the PCLL / have to retake subjects?

  
  

  Please refer to the relevant university's websites (hyperlinked below) regarding PCLL exams and any subsequent re-sits:

  
  

  Hong Kong University

  
  

  City University of Hong Kong

  
  

  The Chinese University of Hong Kong

  
  

   

  
  

  What are these "Top Up" Subjects - how do I take them?

  
  

  The Top-Up subjects include

  
  

  · Hong Kong Constitutional Law,

  
  

  · Hong Kong Land Law; and

  
  

  · Hong Kong Legal System.

  
  

  These are extra courses for students who did not study law at a Hong Kong University.  There are three ways to do this:

  
  

  · As a visiting “internal” student in one of the three universities awarding LLB degrees in Hong Kong and passing the requisite examination.  This is an exchange programme that allows you to attend a Hong Kong University for a semester and during this time you can take these 'top up' subjects.  Please see the qualifying map and accompanying notes for more information.

  
  

  · As part of the Graduate Diploma in English and Hong Kong Law taught and awarded in Hong Kong.  This route is primarily used for graduates with non-law degrees, who want to complete the fast track law programme.  This is Hong Kong's equivalent to the GDL or CPE schemes in the UK.

  
  

  · By passing the relevant subject in the Hong Kong Conversion Examination for PCLL Admission.  This is a separate exam taken by law students that have already graduated with a foreign LLB who are seeking to obtain a pass in any of the 'top up' or 'core subjects'.

  
  

  For more information please refer to the Statement issued by the Standing Committee on Legal Education and Training which applies to all students seeking admission to study the PCLL in Hong Kong from September 2008 onwards.

• Hong Kong Training Contracts

  How do I apply for a training contract in the Hong Kong office of Pinsent Masons?

  
  

  Applicants should e-mail electronic copies of the following documents to graduatehk@pinsentmasons.com:

  
  

  · Cover letter

  
  

  · Curriculum Vitae

  
  

  · Valid IELTS certificate

  
  

  · Academic transcripts from University degree and A-levels (or equivalent)

  
  

  · Any other documents which you consider support your application (e.g. references)

  
  

   

  
  

  What is the application deadline for training contracts?

  
  

  We typically make offers to candidates two years in advance of commencement of their training contracts.  We would therefore expect applicants for the 2013 intake to submit their applications no later than 30 September 2011 and applicants for the 2014 intake to submit their applications no later than 29 February 2012..

  
  

   

  
  

  What is the starting salary?

  
  

  The salaries for Hong Kong trainees are regularly benchmarked against the market rate for international firms in Hong Kong.  However, as an indication, the salary for first-year trainees commencing in September 2011 is HK$46,000 per month.

  
  

   

  
  

  What seats will I do during my training contract?

  
  

  The intention is that you do a six-month seat in each of the office's four key practice areas, namely:

  
  

  · Projects and Transactional Services

  
  

  · Dispute Resolution Services

  
  

  · Corporate

  
  

  · Strategic Business Services

  
  

   

  
  

  Will there be opportunities to work abroad?

  
  

  If there is a business case for a trainee to spend part of their training contract on secondment to one of our other offices, and the trainee is amenable to that secondment, then we will consider such secondment.  However, it is very much done on a case-by-case basis.

  
  

   

  
  

  What financial assistance does Pinsent Masons give to its trainees to cover fees and/or living expenses?

  
  

  We operate a scholarship scheme to provide financial assistance to trainee solicitors to cover the basic course fees associated with the Post-graduate Certificate in Laws.

  
  

   

  
  

  Do I need to be fluent in Mandarin or Cantonese to be a trainee solicitor in Hong Kong?

  
  

  The bulk of the business conducted in the Hong Kong office is in English, so there is no formal requirement for a student to have Mandarin or Cantonese language skills.  However, given the diversity of our client base, such language skills can set your application apart.

• Hong Kong Vacation Placements

  Do I have to complete a vacation placement to be offered a training contract?

  
  

  No, although we do view our vacation placement programme as the ideal opportunity for prospective employees to have a real look at the firm and vice versa. 

  
  

   

  
  

  Do I have to submit an application for a training contract as well as a vacation placement?

  
  

  If you are successful in gaining a place on the vacation placement programme in Hong Kong, you will automatically be considered for a training contract in the Hong Kong office.  If you are not successful it is unlikely we would consider you for a training contract.

  
  

   

  
  

  When should I apply for the vacation placement programme?

  
  

  We consider the applications for vacation placements at the same time as the training contract applications and therefore expect candidates for the winter 2011 intake to submit their applications no later than 30 September 2011.  For those candidates looking to do a summer placement in 2012, please submit applications no later than 29 February 2012.

  
  

   

  
  

  When are the vacation placements and how long do they last?

  
  

  The programme runs over two-week periods from June to September.  We also run the scheme in December / January, typically to accommodate applicants from southern hemisphere universities whose academic year makes it difficult for them to attend a summer vacation placement.

  
  

   

  
  

  Is the vacation placement programme paid?

  
  

  Yes, you'll be paid in line with market rates, which are currently HK$2,500 per week.