From January 20 to February 3, 2013, 11 CUPL students successfully completed a 2-week internship in Hong Kong High Court and Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal. This program initiated the practice of inviting mainland law students to do internships in Hong Kong SAR. The program has received substantial support from Hong Kong's legal circles, been followed with interest by mainland law students and also helped lift CUPL’s influence in Hong Kong.
From January 21 to 25, thanks for the guidance of HKSYU teachers and students, our selected faculty members and students visited Hong Kong Shue Yan University (HKSYU), the Legislative Council of Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong Bar Association, the Law Society of Hong Kong, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, Hong Kong Department of justice, Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption, Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and local courts at all levels (including Magistrates’ Courts, the District Courts, the High Court and the Court of Final Appeal). During that period, CUPL delegates had broad and deep exchanges with the staff of those organs. For our student internees, that 7-day visit not only left them with an initial impression on Hong Kong’s Rule of Law, but also prepared them for the following week's internship.
From January 28 to February 1, under the guidance of different local judges, CUPL students were divided into four groups and interned in the Court of Final Appeal and the High Court. During the internship, the students witnessed trials being conducted in English or Cantonese, including cases pending before the Court of First Instance of The High Court and the Court of Appeal of The High Court, and hearings in chambers being conducted in the High Court. Before the commencement of the proceedings, judges gave interns introductions to cases which were to be tried on that particular day. In addition, the students were permitted to review the reference materials submitted for those cases. After the cases were adjourned, the judges precisely summarized the decisions of those hearings and patiently gave detailed answers to students’ inquiries. By going through each ruling in this manner, our students were provided a better understanding for the local Rule of Law and its System of Common Law.
On February 2, at the invitation of the CUPL 1979 Class Alumni, Lawyer Li Weibin, CUPL teachers and students visited one of the biggest local law firms: Li & Partners. CUPL delegates conducted in-depth exchanges on various topics, such as the profession of lawyers and the ideal of the rule of law, with celebrated law practitioners of the firm.
In their spare time, CUPL delegates visited the old Legislative Council building, Hollywood Road, St. John’s Cathedral, Victoria Peak and other scenic spots, and had a taste of Hong Kong-style morning tea and snacks. Some students enjoyed the opportunity to visit the Hong Kong Central Library, various museums, art galleries and some famous local universities (e.g. the University of Hong Kong).
By participating in that 2-week rich and intensified program, our students and Hong Kong students learned from each other, built mutual understandings, and forged a solid friendship between them. Through field trips, internship as well as exchanges with related personnel, CUPL delegates gained a better and deeper understanding of certain Hong Kong aspects, such as its Rule of Law and its unique culture. The students expressed that they reaped great benefit from that trip.
The CUPL-Hong Kong Court Internship Program was strongly supported by the Honorable Mr. Justice Chan of Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal, HKSYU and Hong Kong Law Education Foundation.
