Wilson Chan
GDL English and Hong Kong Law, 2016
About me
- General Manager at Native Manchester
- Studied: GDL English and Hong Kong Law, 2016
ABOUT MY CAREER
By the time of my graduation in 2016, Manchester Metropolitan had already offered the Graduate Diploma in English and Hong Kong Law (CPE) for 25 years. At the time, it was one of very few courses that paved the road for law and non-law students to pursue the PCLL programme - a common prerequisite for becoming a solicitor or barrister in Hong Kong. The course was well-structured and catered for the needs of students intending to get into PCLL. I am glad this continues to be the case; Manchester Metropolitan maintains a close relationship with its alumni community and always likes to hear from us about our ideas on how to improve the course. Graduates remain very competitive in both legal and non-legal fields, and a number of great and successful legal personnel in Hong Kong come from the course.
During the two-year, part-time course, I shadowed a senior counsel at the very same set of chambers where I now practise. Through close observation and engaging discussions, I was able to translate textbook knowledge gained from the course into practical skills. After graduating from the course, I studied the one-year, full-time PCLL at the University of Hong Kong. Subsequently, I trained for a year as a pupil barrister before qualifying in 2018. I now maintain a general practice at Cheng Huan QC, SC’s Chambers. As a lawyer, one must be familiar with not only the law, but also various aspects of day-to-day life. Our lay clients come from all walks of life. It is therefore important to stay abreast of changes in society and be ready and willing to learn whatever comes our way.
I am a barrister-at-law with a general practice. My work mainly involves litigation and giving legal advice. I have experience in criminal law, wills and probate, land disputes, building management, family law, etc. I also write legal commentaries in contributorship with various law publishers.
Legal research forms an integral part of legal practice. It is not unusual for barristers to conduct hours or even days of legal research before meeting and advising their lay clients. The GDEHKL course provides students with an abundance of opportunities to improve their research skills. These include researching for essays and different case scenarios.
During the two-year course, I also took the PCEA conversion examinations. These examinations are an alternative to the top-up year (i.e. a third year which ultimately leads to a full LLB degree). Students become eligible for the PCLL either by completing the two-year course and passing these examinations, or by completing the top-up year following the two-year course. After my graduation, I studied the one-year, full-time PCLL at the University of Hong Kong. Subsequently, I trained for a year as a pupil barrister before qualifying in 2018. As a qualified barrister, I frequently attend seminars and webinars organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association and convened by judges and other lawyers. These are usually on very specific topics or areas of law, and they provide a supportive forum for insightful discussions about the law and practical issues.
MY TOP TIP FOR STUDENTS IS
It is common for undergraduate students to apply for short-term placement with solicitors’ firms or individual barristers. For students in the GDEHKL course, however, this may be impossible given that they usually already have a day job. Nevertheless, they should try their best to increase their exposure to the legal practice before graduating. This can be done by attending hearings that are open to the public, and connecting with alumni who are practising lawyers during our mentorship sessions. Some of the lecturers and tutors on the course are also practising lawyers.