LLAW6325 & JDOC6325

General Course Information

1.1 Course details

Course code: LLAW6325 / JDOC6325
Course name: Technology, Ethics and Legal Practice
Programme offered under: LLM Programme / JD Programme
Semester: Second
Prerequisites / Co-requisites: No
Credit point value: 9 credits / 6 credits

1.2 Course description

Ever since Covid in 2020, there has been a greater reliance on technology by businesses and consumers alike, affecting many aspects of everyday life. This also propelled the adoption of digital transformation embracing automation, ‘internet of things’ (IOT), cloud tech, block-chain, and AI at a much faster pace. At the same time, such disruption spore new risks; for example, AI has been labelled as an existential threat and there has been increased cyber-attacks creating more anxiety. Legal service is no different. The discourse about changing how lawyers work, undertake legal research, and advising their clients using legal technology have been on the rise. The course shall endeavour capture the key debates of digital transformation affecting business models of businesses and professional services including legal services. And with the adoption of new technology comes new ethical questions as well as dilemmas for businesses and professionals including lawyers. Whilst the regulatory debates are on-going, unknown impact on society like massive job losses also have ethical implications. As such this course shall contemplate the impact of digital disruption and new ethical predicaments that shall be thrusted onto legal professionals; thereby preparing students for the challenges in the cyber age that lies ahead.

1.3 Course teachers

Name E-mail address Office Consultation
Course convenor Angus Young alyoung@hku.hk N/A By email

Learning Outcomes

2.1 Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) for this course

CLO 1 Describe and explain the key principles of digital transformation like AI, cloud tech, block chain and digital platform and its impacts on businesses including new business models.

CLO 2 Describe and explain the adoption of new technologies like legal technology will revolutionize legal practice and services offered to clients.

CLO 3 Critically analyse the ethical principles and issues arising from new and existing technology.

CLO 4 Evaluate the ethical considerations and dilemmas arising from the use of AI, blockchain, IOT, Cloud tech, digital platforms, and other new technologies in businesses and legal practice.

CLO 5 Expand critical thinking and autonomous learning skills, to enable students to gain knowledge in an area of considerable interests which will enhance employability potential in law firms, the corporate sector, 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 N/A 20% 3 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Research essay TBC 30% 3, 5 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Take home exam^ TBC 50% 3, 5 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/