The Law Society of Hong Kong
Encyclopedia
Established in 1907, the Law Society of Hong Kong is the professional association and law society
for solicitor
s in Hong Kong
. The Hong Kong Bar Association
is the equivalent association for barrister
s in Hong Kong.
The Law Society is currently headed by President Huen Wong and is located at Wing On House
in Central.
, and was then known as The Incorporated Law Society of Hongkong. The present name was adopted in 1969.
s in Hong Kong with a current practising certificate.
In 2007, the Society's income was HK$91.6 million, HK$47.7 million being raised through annual practising certificate fees and membership subscriptions.
The fee for a practising certificate was HK$6,800 and the fee for membership subscription was HK$1,200.
The Society had an annual income budget of HK$80.6 million for 2007.
Law society
A Law Society in current and former Commonwealth jurisdictions was historically an association of solicitors with a regulatory role that included the right to supervise the training, qualifications and conduct of lawyers/solicitors...
for solicitor
Solicitor
Solicitors are lawyers who traditionally deal with any legal matter including conducting proceedings in courts. In the United Kingdom, a few Australian states and the Republic of Ireland, the legal profession is split between solicitors and barristers , and a lawyer will usually only hold one title...
s in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. The Hong Kong Bar Association
Hong Kong Bar Association
The Hong Kong Bar Association is the professional regulatory body for barristers in Hong Kong, and was founded in 1949. Like other professional bodies, the HKBA has the authority to take disciplinary action to the members who breach the Code of Conduct of the Association...
is the equivalent association for barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
s in Hong Kong.
The Law Society is currently headed by President Huen Wong and is located at Wing On House
Wing On House
Wing On House is the name of a commercial building located at No. 71 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong.-History:Upon its completion in 1967, it was very briefly Hong Kong's tallest commercial building, with 31 stories...
in Central.
History
It was formed on July 8, 1907 as a company limited by guaranteeCompany limited by guarantee
In British and Irish company law, a private company limited by guarantee is an alternative type of corporation used primarily for non-profit organisations that require legal personality. A guarantee company does not usually have a share capital or shareholders, but instead has members who act as...
, and was then known as The Incorporated Law Society of Hongkong. The present name was adopted in 1969.
Structure
The society is divided into two bodies:- The Council - the governing body of the society and consists of 20 members with 2 vice presidents and 1 president
- The Secretariat - the body responsible for the standing committees within the society and has a staff of 76
Profile of the profession
As of 31 December 2010, the Law Society regulates 6,782 solicitorSolicitor
Solicitors are lawyers who traditionally deal with any legal matter including conducting proceedings in courts. In the United Kingdom, a few Australian states and the Republic of Ireland, the legal profession is split between solicitors and barristers , and a lawyer will usually only hold one title...
s in Hong Kong with a current practising certificate.
Business model
- 5,303 solicitors were in private practice in 764 firmsLaw firmA law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
. - Of these firms:
- 45% were sole practitionerSole proprietorshipA sole proprietorship, also known as the sole trader or simply a proprietorship, is a type of business entity that is owned and run by one individual and in which there is no legal distinction between the owner and the business. The owner receives all profits and has unlimited responsibility for...
s. Of all the sole practitioners, 40% did not employ any other legally qualified persons. - 196 firms employed a total of 667 trainee solicitorTrainee solicitorIn the United Kingdom, Australia, Hong Kong and certain other English common law jurisdictions, a trainee solicitor is a prospective lawyer undergoing professional training at a law firm to qualify as a full-fledged solicitor...
s.
- 45% were sole practitioner
- 2,160 were in partnerships or were sole practitioners.
- 3,143 solicitors are assistant solicitors or consultantConsultantA consultant is a professional who provides professional or expert advice in a particular area such as management, accountancy, the environment, entertainment, technology, law , human resources, marketing, emergency management, food production, medicine, finance, life management, economics, public...
s in firms. - 1,479 solicitors worked with private businesses (in-house) or in government (Department of JusticeDepartment of Justice (Hong Kong)The Department of Justice is the department responsible for the laws of Hong Kong headed by the Secretary for Justice. Before 1997, the names of the department and the position was the Legal Department and Attorney General respectively....
, etc).
Foreign lawyers
- 399 foreign lawyers employed by 72 foreign firms.
- 739 foreign lawyers employed in local law firms.
Gender
- Of all practising solicitors, 54% were men and 46% were women.
- However, of the 683 trainee solicitorTrainee solicitorIn the United Kingdom, Australia, Hong Kong and certain other English common law jurisdictions, a trainee solicitor is a prospective lawyer undergoing professional training at a law firm to qualify as a full-fledged solicitor...
s, 40% were men and 60% were women.
Finance
In 2006, the Society's income was HK$86.0 million, HK$46.26 million being raised through annual practising certificate fees and membership subscriptions.In 2007, the Society's income was HK$91.6 million, HK$47.7 million being raised through annual practising certificate fees and membership subscriptions.
The fee for a practising certificate was HK$6,800 and the fee for membership subscription was HK$1,200.
The Society had an annual income budget of HK$80.6 million for 2007.
See also
- Hong Kong Bar AssociationHong Kong Bar AssociationThe Hong Kong Bar Association is the professional regulatory body for barristers in Hong Kong, and was founded in 1949. Like other professional bodies, the HKBA has the authority to take disciplinary action to the members who breach the Code of Conduct of the Association...
- Law Society of England and WalesLaw Society of England and WalesThe Law Society is the professional association that represents the solicitors' profession in England and Wales. It provides services and support to practising and training solicitors as well as serving as a sounding board for law reform. Members of the Society are often consulted when important...
- Law Society of ScotlandLaw Society of ScotlandThe Law Society of Scotland is the professional governing body for Scottish solicitors.It promotes excellence among solicitors through representation, support and regulation of its members. It also promotes the interests of the public in relation to the profession...
- Law Society of SingaporeLaw Society of SingaporeThe Law Society of Singapore is the organisation that represents all lawyers in Singapore. It publishes the Law Gazette and operates a scheme for needy people to benefit from legal services free-of-charge. The Society also sets out rules for how lawyers should advertise. The Law Society is...
- The Law Society of Upper Canada
- Postgraduate Certificate in LawsPostgraduate Certificate in LawsPCLL redirects here. For the lacrosse league in the northeastern United States, see Pioneer Collegiate Lacrosse League.The Postgraduate Certificate in Laws is an intensive one-year full-time professional legal qualification programme in Hong Kong...
External links
- Law Society of Hong Kong Official website