General Course Information
1.1 Course details
| Course code: | JDOC6205 |
| Course name: | Clinical Legal Education |
| Programme offered under: | JD Programme |
| Semester: | First, Second and Summer |
| Prerequisites / Co-requisites: | No |
| Credit point value: | 6 credits |
| Cap on student numbers: | 24 |
1.2 Course description
In this course the students will through interviewing real clients and handling real cases under the supervision of the course coordinator and voluntary duty lawyers in the private sector develop lawyering skills such as interviewing, negotiation, communication, facts investigation, legal research and analysis, applying the legal theories and principles to the real client case or situation, legal writing and drafting, as well as professional ethics and responsibilities. The course will consist of the following elements training sessions and legal clinic work (including attending interview and advice sessions and preparing case summary, legal research memos and summary of advice). The applicants for this course are required to submit an application in prescribed form to the course coordinator for consideration and approval.
1.3 Course teachers
| Name | E-mail address | Office | Consultation | |
| Course convenor / tutor | Eric Cheung | etmc@hku.hk | CCT 412 | By email |
| Course convenor / tutor | Edmond Lam | ekflam@hku.hk | CCT 411 | By email |
| Course convenor / tutor | Edward Chan | chanmhe@hku.hk | CCT 715 | By email |
| Course convenor / tutor | Carter Chim | cchim@hku.hk | CLE | By email |
| Course convenor / tutor | Patricia Ho | measorho@hku.hk | CLE | By email |
Learning Outcomes
2.1 Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) for this course
CLO 1 Communicate with a client using appropriate language and style.
CLO 2 Interview a client to ascertain the factual circumstances of his case and his major concerns.
CLO 3 Write a proper attendance note on the interview and a case summary.
CLO 4 Identify and analyze the legal and factual issues of a client case.
CLO 5 Conduct legal or other research to facilitate advice to be given to a client.
CLO 6 Apply the legal theories and principles identified from local and comparative literature to the client case or situation.
CLO 7 Explore legal and yet practical solutions to the client case to suit the client needs or concerns.
CLO 8 Develop a pro bono ethos and commitment to public service.
2.2 JD Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Please refer to the following link: https://course.law.hku.hk/jd-plo/
2.3 Programme Learning Outcomes to be achieved in this course
| PLO A | PLO B | PLO C | PLO D | PLO E | PLO F | |
| CLO 1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 3 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 4 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 5 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 6 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 7 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 8 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Assessment(s)
3.1 Assessment Summary
Training and Assessment:
1. Students will receive some instructions and training in basic lawyering skills (e.g. interviewing, fact investigation, negotiation, file management, drafting witness statements). They also need to attend the Small Claims Tribunal[1] and/or the Municipal Services Appeals Board[2] to observe how these hearings are conducted and receive instructions on their jurisdiction and procedures.
2. All students are required to attend a Training and Group Review Session with the Course Coordinator once every week for briefing, debriefing, evaluation and reflection. During the session, they will share their experience in handling their cases, the skills they have put into practice and matters they have learned. The Course Coordinator may also provide feedback and further training on certain lawyering skills.
3. When handling clients cases, students will work in pairs and be supervised closely by a qualified lawyer responsible for the case. On the job training will be provided if and when necessary.
4. All students are required to maintain a portfolio, which sets out the time and details of the work they have done, the skills they have put into practice and matters they have learned. The portfolio should also contain a self reflection section.
5. Students will be assessed on a pass/fail basis by reference to the contents of the portfolio and the supervising lawyers feedback on their professional attitudes and competence when they handle clients case
6. In summary, students are required to :
a. attend a Training and Group Review Session;
b. take turn (and work in pairs) to attend an Interview Session for the purpose of taking instructions from lay clients of Free Legal Advice Scheme (FLAS) cases (students will only take instructions on factual and/or legal matters and issues and are NOT allowed to give any legal advice at the Interview Session or at any stages of the FLAS cases);
c. prepare a Case Summary setting out the material facts and issues of each FLAS case within 2 days after the Interview Session for submission to the Duty Lawyer assigned to handle the particular FLAS case;
d. prepare a Research Memo and submit it to the assigned Duty Lawyer at least 3 days before the Advice Session;
e. attend a Discussion Session with the assigned Duty Lawyer at least one day before the Advice Session to discuss and analyze the FLAS case;
f. attend an Advice Session when the assigned Duty Lawyer will give advice to the lay client (students will sit in to take notes and will not be required and are not allowed to give any legal advice);
g. prepare a draft Summary of Advice within 2 days after the Advice Session for the assigned Duty Lawyer approval;
h. prepare a Portfolio and submit it to the Course Coordinator once every 3 week; and
i. take up additional cases (such as Small Claims Tribunal, Bar Free Legal Service Scheme case, etc) but these additional cases are contingent upon the firming up of the arrangement with the relevant bodies/firms concerned and the availability of clients and cases, and not all students may have the opportunity to handle such
[1] Date of visit to be fixed in consultation with the Small Claims Tribunal.
[2] Date of visit to be fixed in consultation with the Municipal Services Appeals Board.
3.2 Assessment Detail
To be advised by course convenor(s).
3.3 Grading Criteria
Students will be assessed on a pass/fail basis by reference to the contents of the portfolio and the supervising lawyers’ feedback on their professional attitudes and competence when they handle clients’ cases.
Learning Activities
4.1 Learning Activity Plan
| Training and Interview Session: | Please see ‘Assessment(s)’ |
| Private study time: | Not applicable |
Remarks: the normative student study load per credit unit is 25 ± 5 hours (ie. 150 ± 30 hours for a 6-credit course), which includes all learning activities and experiences within and outside of classroom, and any assessment task and examinations and associated preparations.
4.2 Details of Learning Activities
Please see ‘Assessment(s)’
Learning Resources
5.1 Resources
| Reading materials: | Reading materials are posted on Moodle |
| Core reading list: | Not applicable |
| Recommended reading list: | Not applicable |
5.2 Links
Please refer to the following link: http://www.law.hku.hk/course/learning-resources/