Barristers...

[DanielandHayley]

Does anybody know if the Hong Kong Bar Vocational Course equivalent (PCLL) has any standing in the UK?

I have a UK LLB and will eventually return to complete the BVC (hopefully!) and am wondering if there is any way to qualify, or at least 'part qualify' whilst in Hong Kong. ( I suspect not)

I have obviously done some research, but can't seem to find a definitive answer, so thought i'de put the question out there in the hope someone can shed some light.

Thanks

[pin]

isn't the pcll more or an equivalent to the LPC in england as opposed to the BVC?

Best bet would be to contact the Bar council in England to see what they think.

[ScotchDrinker]

The only way you can make real use of a PCLL is to do your pupillage here in HK and stay at the HK Bar for at least 3 years. According to the Bar Council:

"A person is not qualified for admission as a Common Law practitioner unless he or she has regularly exercised rights of audience for a period of at least 3 years in superior courts which administer law substantially equivalent to the common law of England and Wales". (Transfer to the Bar)

I sort of did it the other way round - BVC then pupillage in HK. But the rules are slightly different in that scenario.

[DanielandHayley]

hmm, yes I just came across that as well. Not sure I guarentee staying in HK that long to make it worthwhile.

There is always the BVC part time in the UK - could just commute from HK for the study weekends every 6 weeks for two years!

[ScotchDrinker]

Now that's just taking it to the extremes... but if you do that, I suppose you can end up doing loads of placements here in HK in your "off time", which would make your CV look a bit different from the rest of them - a good thing in most cases.

[DanielandHayley]

except my 'off time' is taken up by full time work - am trying to plan ahead for when i eventually leave HK in a few years, would be good not to have to go back to study etc if i could get it done in advance!
anyway, looks as if it cant be done - save for a lot of flying! - but thanks for the input!