General Course Information
1.1 Course details
| Course code: | LLAW6319 / JDOC6319 |
| Course name: | Regulatory Design and Innovations: Case Studies |
| Programme offered under: | LLM Programme / JD Programme |
| Semester: | Second |
| Prerequisites / Co-requisites: | No |
| Credit point value: | 9 credits / 6 credits |
1.2 Course description
This course explores major regulatory debates in the financial sector as a means of exploring the key considerations in the formulation of proposals for regulatory development. Whilst new regulations are domestically enacted and enforced by local authorities, some of the key ideas, designs, and architecture originates from international organizations such as standard-setting or inter-governmental bodies. The course will facilitate students’ understanding of key principles and trace the debates on various regulatory proposals on a range of complex and inter-related issues that shape the responses of domestic regulators. This is achieved by examining and analyzing case studies across a range of regulatory topics. The aim is for students to develop insights of how and why regulations are formulated as well as the underpinnings of those regulations across a range of subject matters related to financial services.
To appreciate the different approaches and thinking in formulating financial and related regulations, students will be introduced to the literature on regulatory theories and strategies. Building on this foundation, the course will consider the merits and limitations of various regulatory tools available to regulators, drawing on the work of international bodies such as ISOCO, BIS, FSB, ICN and FATF to explore functional considerations and the facilitation of markets via different entry points for regulation, such as activity, entity or transaction based, conduct centered, or collaborative approaches such as the use of sandboxes.
1.3 Course teachers
| Name | E-mail address | Office | Consultation | |
| Course convenor | Angus Young | alyoung@hku.hk | CCT 301 | By email |
Learning Outcomes
2.1 Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) for this course
CLO 1 Develop necessary reasoning and problem skills to deal with complex issues relating to the regulation of financial services, products, and related matters.
CLO 2 Critically examine the merits and limitations of new regulatory proposals from various international bodies.
CLO 3 Apply knowledge and understanding to adapt to new and uncertain situations and problems related to financial and interrelated regulations.
CLO 4 Evaluate the regulatory design and innovation from the proposals of international bodies as well as develop coherent and solid arguments in devising possible solutions to new challenges in financial and interrelated regulations.
CLO 5 Expand critical thinking and autonomous learning skills, to enable students to gain knowledge in an area of considerable commercial interest which will enhance employability potential in the financial services, listed companies, regulators and public authorities.
2.2 LLM and JD Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Please refer to the following link:
LLM – https://course.law.hku.hk/llm-plo/
JD – 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 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Assessment(s)
3.1 Assessment Summary
| Assessment task | Due date | Weighting | Feedback method* | Course learning outcomes |
| Class participation | TBC | 10% | 3 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| Coursework and formal prepared presentation | TBC | 20% | 3, 5 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| In-class small groups coursework discussions | TBC | 20% | 3, 5 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| Take home exam^ | TBC | 50% | 1, 3 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
^ Students are required to pass the exam to be eligible to pass the course.
| *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
To be advised by course convenor(s).
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 12 teaching weeks |
| Private study time: | 9.5 hours / week for 12 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/