Law degrees not just for lawyers

Part-time law courses have become increasingly popular for people who have no intention of practising as lawyers but are simply seeking to improve their knowledge, according to local universities.

A part-time law diploma and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) introduced by Lingnan University in July 2001 has attracted about 132 students this year.

Enrolment in the University of London's part time LLB programme, offered locally through the University of Hong Kong, has also jumped. While 600 first-year students enrolled in 2001-2002, the figure rose to 630 last year and up to 700 students are expected to begin the programme this year.

According to John Ho Dit-sang, associate dean at the City University School of Law, although students may want the degrees purely for academic reasons, they may also see legal knowledge as helping their careers.

'Work is based less on personal relationships and more on legal relationships,' he said.

'If you want to qualify as an accountant, you need to understand the law related to business and companies, and even in social work, building management, police work and the civil service, you need knowledge of the law.'