Chapter:	159	Title:	LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE	Gazette Number:	L.N. 362 of 1997
Section:	20	Heading:	Restrictions on employing trainee solicitors	Version Date:	01/07/1997

(1) No person who has not at some time been in continuous practice as a solicitor in Hong Kong for a period of 5 years shall, without the special leave in writing of the Society, employ a trainee solicitor or act as his principal. (Amended 25 of 1968 s. 6)
(2) No person shall employ or act as principal for more than 2 trainee solicitors at the same time.
(3) No person shall employ a trainee solicitor or act as his principal unless he is practising as a solicitor on his own account or in partnership, without the special leave in writing of the Society. (Replaced 60 of 1994 s. 21)
(4) If any solicitor employs or acts as principal for a trainee solicitor in contravention of any of the provisions of subsection (1), (2) or (3), the Council may terminate the trainee solicitor's contract upon such terms as it thinks fit. (Amended 52 of 1980 s. 2)
(4A) It is not a contravention of subsection (1), (2) or (3) for a person other than a solicitor to employ a trainee solicitor so along as-

(a) the trainee solicitor is assigned to a solicitor who acts as his principal;
(b) the solicitor who acts as principal is qualified under and complies with subsections (1), (2) and (3); and
(c) the solicitor is employed by the same person as the trainee solicitor. (Added 60 of 1994 s. 21)

(a) solicitor; or
(b) qualified person,

(i) Department of Justice; or (Amended L.N. 362 of 1997)
(ii) the Legal Advisory and Conveyancing Office of the Lands Department; or (Replaced 8 of 1993 s. 20. Amended L.N. 291 of 1993)
(iia) the Land Registry; or (Added 8 of 1993 s. 20)
(iib) the Companies Registry; or (Added 8 of 1993 s. 20)
(iii) Legal Aid Department; or (Amended 39 of 1992 s. 11)
(iv) Official Receiver's Office; or (Added 39 of 1992 s. 11. Amended 60 of 1992 s. 6)
(v) Intellectual Property Department, (Added 60 of 1992 s. 6)