(a) All candidates must complete a total of 144 credits by the end of the two years of normal study period by taking:
- 84 credits of compulsory courses;
- 54 credits of elective courses; and
- 6 credits of capstone course.
Each of the JD courses carries 6 credits unless otherwise stated.
This is summarised in Table 1:
| Table 1 | Year 1 | Year 2 [i] | Year 2 [ii] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory courses | 66 credits | 24 credits | 24 credits | |
| Elective courses | PCLL pre-requisite courses Chinese Law (see Note 1) Other law electives | — 6 credits — | 12 credits — 36 credits | — — 48 credits |
| Capstone course | Dissertation/ International mooting competition/ Clinical legal education | — | 6 credits | 6 credits |
| Total | 66 credits | 78 credits | 78 credits |
Year 2 [i]: For students who plan to pursue PCLL.
Year 2 [ii]: For students who do not plan to pursue PCLL.
Year 1 compulsory courses: JDOC1001 & JDOC1002, JDOC1003 & JDOC1004, JDOC1005 & JDOC1006, JDOC1007, JDOC1009, JDOC1010, JDOC3093.
Year 2 compulsory courses: JDOC2001 & JDOC2002, JDOC2003 & JDOC2004.
PCLL pre-requisite courses: JDOC3015, JDOC3102
Note 1: If you have no substantial background in Chinese Law, you must take one elective course listed under “Chinese electives”. If you have a substantial background in Chinese Law, you will not need to fulfil this requirement and may take an elective instead. You should check with Ms Jean Ko (jdstu@hku.hk) if you are in doubt.
(b) The normal year study load for JD2 students is 78 credits (see Note 2). Table 2 shows the required number of credits you should study in this academic year:
| Table 2 | |
|---|---|
| 1st semester | 30-36 credits |
| January semester (Optional; see Note 3) | 0-6 credits |
| 2nd semester | 24-36 credits |
| June semester | 6-18 credits |
| Total | 78 credits |
Note 2: For students who completed 72 credits in the first year, you will only need to take 72 credits in your second year.
Note 3: January semester is an optional semester. Courses offered will have an intensive (compressed) class schedule. You may take zero or up to one course in January semester, and credits earned will count towards your total for 2nd semester.
(c)(i) Candidates intending to enrol in JDOC1011 Dissertation may do so only during the add/drop period of the 1st semester. The study load of the JDOC1011 Dissertation is evenly distributed, with 3-credits allocated to each of the 1st and 2nd semesters. Candidates are reminded to reserve sufficient credit load to enrol in this course.
(c)(ii) Candidates who are unable to secure a dissertation supervisor by the first week of the add/drop period in the 1st semester are strongly advised to drop the dissertation course and select an alternative capstone course during this period. Request to late-drop the dissertation course after the add/drop period of the 1st semester will normally NOT be considered, except in cases with strong justification and valid supporting documentation. If a late-drop request is approved, the transcript will reflect the course enrolment with a grade of “NC” (Not complete). If the candidate remains enrolled in the dissertation course, failure to submit the final dissertation will result in a fail grade.
(c)(iii) Candidates are reminded to retain their approval records in a written and neat format, as such documentation will be required for submission to the course Moodle during the declaration process.
(c)(iv) The dissertation title will be printed on the official transcript. Once declared, changes will not be accepted, except in cases where a request, recommended by the dissertation supervisor and supported by valid documentation, is submitted by the stipulated deadline. Late requests will not be considered.
(d) There are two clinical courses for the capstone course requirement: JDOC6205 Clinical legal education, and JDOC6242 Public Interest Clinic. Students who are interested in JDOC6242 should refer to the course profile for details.
(e) If you intend to participate in international mooting competition for the capstone course requirement, you should pay attention to the email announcement from the General Office in September. Different moot competitions have a different timeline. In general, the General Office will enrol the course for you only when the Mooting Director confirms your completion in the competition.