Cap 159 s 4 Qualifications for admission (LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE)

Contents of Section

Chapter:	159	Title:	LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE	Gazette Number:	25 of 1998 s. 2
Section:	4	Heading:	Qualifications for admission	Version Date:	01/07/1997

Remarks:

Amendments retroactively made - see 25 of 1998 s. 2

(1) The Court may, in such manner as may be prescribed by the Chief Justice, admit as a solicitor of the High Court a person who the Court considers is a fit and proper person to be a solicitor and who- (Amended 25 of 1998 s. 2)

(a) has complied with requirements prescribed by the Council with respect to employment as a trainee solicitor, the passing of examinations and the completion of courses; or

(b) in the case of a person who seeks admission on the basis of qualifications acquired outside Hong Kong, qualifies for admission under requirements prescribed by the Council. (Replaced 60 of 1994 s. 4)

(1A) The Court shall not admit a person under this section unless it has received from the Society a certificate to the effect that the Society is satisfied that the person-

(a) has resided in Hong Kong for at least 3 months immediately before his admission;

(b) intends to reside in Hong Kong for at least 3 months immediately after his admission;

(d) has been present in Hong Kong for at least 180 days of each of at least 7 years. (Added 60 of 1994 s. 4)

(1B) The court may, when admitting a person as a solicitor, sit in chambers. (Added 60 of 1994 s. 4)
(2) A person shall not be disqualified from admission as a solicitor by reason only that-

(a) a solicitor who employed him or acted as his principal for the whole term or such part of a term of a trainee solicitor contract as may be prescribed by the Council has neglected or omitted to take out a practising certificate; or (Amended 50 of 1982 s. 3; 70 of 1991 s. 13; 60 of 1994 s. 4)

(b) the name of the solicitor who employed him as a trainee solicitor or acted as his principal for any period has after the termination of that period been removed from or struck off the roll of solicitors. (Amended 70 of 1991 s. 13; 60 of 1994 s. 4)

(3) Where a person who was admitted as a solicitor on the basis of an intention referred to in subsection (1A)(b) fails to reside in Hong Kong for at least 3 months immediately after his admission, the Court may, on the application of the Society, order that the person's name be removed from or struck off the roll of solicitors. (Added 60 of 1994 s. 4)

[cf. 1957 c. 27 s. 3 U.K.]