General Course Information
1.1 Course details
| Course code: | LLAW6325 / JDOC6325 |
| Course name: | Digital Transformation of Legal Services |
| Programme offered under: | LLM Programme / JD Programme |
| Semester: | Second |
| Prerequisites / Co-requisites: | No |
| Credit point value: | 9 credits / 6 credits |
1.2 Course description
The legal profession and services are at a crossroad prompted by advances in technology and digital transformation. Historically the profession of lawyers were people with privileges and influence. Then industrialization propelled the profession to greater heights. Now digital transformation creates new opportunities as well as transforming the profession from the ground up. This course explores all these themes as well as innovative developments of the profession and services including the deployment of artificial intelligence. Furthermore, consider how different business models, change management, leadership and beyond are going to transform legal services. Therefore, the aim of this course is to explore and discuss the impact of digital transformation on the profession and the future of lawyering. To achieve this, the course takes an interdisciplinary approach combining business studies, digital transformation, and the development of legal services.
1.3 Course teachers
| Name | E-mail address | Office | Consultation | |
| Course convenor | Angus Young | alyoung@hku.hk | CCT 301 | By email |
1.4 Course Outline (for elective course)
| Please click on the link here for the course outline (HKU Portal login requried). |
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 | Weighting | Feedback method* | Course learning outcomes |
| Class participation | 20% | 3 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| Research essay | 30% | 3, 5 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| Take home exam^ | 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). See also Course Outline above.
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/