News and Event Management System

On June 11, 2008, a group of 25 students from the School of Law joined the Sir TL Yang Society visit to the Equal Opportunities Commission.

The group was greeted with a warm welcome by Mr. Raymond Tang, the Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission. He shared his views on the mission and work of the EOC, and emphasized that the difference between a regulatory agency and a law enforcement agency is the regulatory agency’s effort in changing culture. Ms. Florence Chan, Senior Training Officer, then gave a thorough presentation on the work of the EOC, including important topics such as the three EOC ordinances, landmark cases, statistics and the procedure for dispute resolution.

Students participated in the question and answer session and learned much about the EOC’s work and the current legal framework addressing discrimination issues. Most importantly, they learned that the essence of the EOC’s regulatory effort was to ensure fair treatment, rather than equal treatment, between the privileged and the disadvantaged.

This year, for the first time, all JD and LLM students enrolled in the International Legal Advocacy Course, participated in one of four international mooting competitions.  These competitions provided an excellent means for students to develop their research, writing and advocacy skills and to have them benchmarked against top law schools from around the world.   Teams were entered in the Philip C Jessup International Law Moot Competition, the Hong Kong Red Cross International Humanitarian Law Moot, the Willem C Vis (East) International Commercial Arbitration Moot and the Willem C Vis (Vienna) International Commercial Arbitration Moot.  Each team was coached by a law teacher and supported by student coaches who had previously participated in one of these international moots.

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On Mar 12, 2008, the Sir TL Yang Society welcomed Professor Edward Larson as the inaugural speaker for the Sir TL Yang Society Individual, Community and the Law Lecture, entitled Ethics and the Law in Human Genetic Screening. Distinguished guests and professional mentors, members of the profession, students and faculty members attended the lecture at the Graduate Law Center and learned about the historical development of, and current issues raised by, genetic testing.

Professor Larson discussed the history of eugenics programs, and how the socially constructed idea of “disability” has caused prejudicial public policies in America and other parts of the world. Although eugenics is no longer practiced now, willful discrimination might arise based on information made available by advances in genetic screening, especially in the field of employment and health insurance. Professor Larson argued that the law can provide an effective balance between the benefits of genetic screening and the potential harm resulting from the availability and misuse of genetic information.

Professor Larson is The Hugh and Hazel Darling Professor of Law at Pepperdine University. He is a Pulitzer Prize winner for his book Summer for the Gods: the Scopes Trial and America’s Continuing Debate over Science and Religion. His other books include Sex, Race and Science Eugenics in the Deep South and Evolution’s Workshop: God and Science in the Galapagos Islands. Professor Larson specializes in law, science and technology and health care law and is the invited guest of the Man Hong Kong International Literary Festival and a Fulbright Distinguished Lecturer.

The School of Law would like to thank the organizers of the Man Hong Kong International Literary Festival and the Hong Kong America Center for co-sponsoring Professor Larson’s Inaugural Sir TL Yang Society Individual, Community and the Law Lecture at the School of Law.

On Friday, March 7, 26 students from both the postgraduate programmes and the LLB programme visited the Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution. This visit was sponsored by the Sir TL Yang Society.

Superintendent Mr. Kenneth Ho briefed the group and introduced the basics of Hong Kong’s prison system. During the Questions and Answers session, students asked questions concerning the conditions, demographics, livelihood and the disciplinary procedures in the institution.

The students toured the prison facilities, including five workshops, the dining halls, the kitchen, the dormitory and a band room donated by an NGO. They had an insider’s view on how the prison’s rehabilitative purpose is practiced.

The Sir TL Yang Society held an Image Workshop for the Year 1 LLB students on Saturday, 2 February, 2008. Mr. Peter Lam, the School’s PR Consultant, shared tips, insights and experiences in maintaining professional etiquette, which is an essential element of the law student’s training as young professionals. All Year 1 students attended the workshop.

The Sir TL Yang Society offered the first of the annual ICAC Lecture to the 2nd year LLB students, “Corruption and Professional Ethics” on Thursday, 31st January 2008. Mr. Willis Wong, Community Relations Department representative from the ICAC, shared about the prevention of corruption as it specifically applies to the legal profession. The lecture forms part of the students’ legal education concerning professional ethics.

On 22th September 2007,  students brought in their resumes and cover letters for comments and review by Mr. Peter Rhodes and Mrs. Myrette Fok.