Juris Doctor (JD)

The Juris Doctor (JD) is a full-time, two-year law degree that provides comprehensive and in-depth legal education to students without prior background in the law. The programme's emphasis is not on rote learning of legal rules but critical appreciation and assessment of the underpinnings of these rules. The programme distinguishes itself by its small class size. JD students will be taught as a separate group of about 40 students. We believe that an intimate environment will facilitate interaction and enhance the learning experience.

The programme will provide students with a solid foundation in traditional common law subjects, which are the bedrock of the Hong Kong legal system. In addition, the programme will introduce students to new ways of thinking about the law. Courses on interdisciplinary and theoretical approaches to the law are a required component of the programme. These courses will challenge students to understand what the law is and contemplate what the law should be. The programme also includes a broad range of electives, which will allow students to explore their academic interests and develop a speciality. Such exploration and specialization will culminate in an optional dissertation, in which students are expected to engage with and advance the scholarship on cutting-edge areas of law.