General Course Information
1.1 Course details
| Course code: | LLAW3265 |
| Course name: | Advanced Seminars in Trust and Equity |
| Programme offered under: | LLB Programme |
| Semester: | First |
| Designated research course: | No |
| Specialization: | Commercial, corporate and financial law |
| Prerequisites / Co-requisites: | Contract Law |
| Course offered to non-law students: | No |
| Credit point value: | 6 credits |
1.2 Course description
This course offers a practical look at how traditional trust law operates in the complex world of international finance. It has two main aims: first, it introduces the foundational features of the trust concept to students; second, it examines how commercial parties strategically dilute these features to enjoy the benefits of a trust without being bound by its strict requirements.
We will start with the basics of the trust concept and international bond issues before moving into specific examples of how financial law practice bends traditional rules. For each topic, we will cover the core legal principles and then move into a guided discussion of how they are applied in capital market practice. Prescribed reading (of approximately 45 pages per week) will be indicated along with optional reading.
Prior knowledge of trust law is not required for this course. In fact, this course serves as an excellent companion to the compulsory trust course. Students will find that the overlap deepens their understanding of the compulsory course, streamlines their workload, and improves their exam performance. Students will also obtain a guided primer to sophisticated financial structures.
1.3 Course teachers
| Name | E-mail address | Office | Consultation | |
| Course convenor | Lusina Ho | lusinaho@hku.hk | CCT 614 | By email |
| Course convenor | Yvonne Siew | siewy@hku.hk | n/a | By email |
Learning Outcomes
2.1 Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) for this course
CLO 1 Acquire basic knowledge about the topics covered, appreciating the differences between civil law and common law trusts.
CLO 2 Develop the ability to present the law and legal arguments clearly and persuasively.
CLO 3 Appreciate the professional context in which trust law operates.
CLO 4 Develop skills in solving legal issues and mounting legal argument.
2.2 LLB Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Please refer to the following link: https://course.law.hku.hk/llb-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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Assessment(s)
3.1 Assessment Summary
| Assessment task | Weighting | Feedback method* | Course learning outcomes |
| Class participation | 20% | 4 | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Oral presentation | 40% | 5 | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Response essay | 40% | 4 | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| *Feedback method (to be determined by course teacher) | |
| 1 | A general course report to be disseminated through Moodle |
| 2 | Individual feedback to be disseminated by email / through Moodle |
| 3 | Individual review meeting upon appointment |
| 4 | Group review meeting |
| 5 | In-class verbal feedback |
3.2 Assessment Detail
- Class participation
- One reaction essay (1,200 words maximum) to any one of the topics covered, but must not be or must not have been submitted for another course.
- 20-minute oral presentation (individually or in a pair at the students’ choice) on a topic covered in the course and does not fall within the area of the reaction essay.
3.3 Grading Criteria
Please refer to the following link: https://www.law.hku.hk/_files/law_programme_grade_descriptors.pdf
Learning Activities
4.1 Learning Activity Plan
| Seminar: | 3 hours / week for 11 teaching weeks |
| Private study time: | 9.5 hours / week for 11 teaching weeks |
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
To be advised by course convenor(s).
Learning Resources
5.1 Resources
| Reading materials: | Reading materials are posted on Moodle |
| Core reading list: | TBA |
| Recommended reading list: | TBA |
5.2 Links
Please refer to the following link: http://www.law.hku.hk/course/learning-resources/