Lawyers and graduates see course as a good business introduction to the country Legal experts are taking advantage of opportunities created by the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement for businesses and professionals to expand into the mainland market. To practise non-litigation legal work in the mainland, lawyers must take the China Common Legal Professional Examination, a stringent professional qualification. The Shenzhen-based PB5 Education Institute is offering an intensive preparatory training course designed to familiarise Hong Kong legal practitioners with the examination format. The institute is offering the course in partnership with the China University of Political Science and the Scientific Research Base of the Institute for Crime Prevention in the Ministry of Justice. 'In the past, the pass rate was quite low,' said Sarah Wong Mei-fun, director of the PB5 Education Institute. 'The exam itself is not easy. In addition, a large number of mainland Chinese participate. More than 300,000 students take the exam, and their quality and standards can be very diverse.' The key organiser of the exam, the China University of Political Science, is a leading law school that has trained more than 100,000 legal professionals since it was established in 1952. Course instructors are university lecturers who have an in-depth knowledge of the examination. Subjects covered include administrative law and administrative law proceedings, law of contract and law of guarantee, constitutional law, intellectual property law and commercial law. The course takes about four months to complete. 'The course is attractive to two types of people,' Ms Wong said. 'The first includes practising legal professionals interested in expanding into the China market, and the other group comprises young graduates wishing to practise in China.' Many Hong Kong legal professionals are partnering with mainland law firms to serve their clients. 'Many regard this exam as an investment. Without it, they cannot be formally recognised or give professional opinions,' Ms Wong said. To set up a legitimate practice in the mainland, Hong Kong lawyers must pass the examination and obtain a licence to follow an internship and practise. The training course appeals to law graduates as they can use it as a stepping stone to a China-driven practice. 'Although salaries are still low, the market has a huge demand for legal experts,' Ms Wong said. The course also attracts non-legal professionals who wish to acquire essential legal knowledge about China. Raymond Hung Yiu-chung, an insurance veteran with 22 years' experience, said he intended to sign up for the course to broaden his horizons. Before taking on his present job as development consultant for a leading British-based insurance company, he was deputy chief executive officer with a local life insurance company. 'I want to enrich my knowledge, especially for doing business in China,' Mr Hung said. 'I need to know all the do's and don'ts. We all know the legal environment in China is completely different to that of Hong Kong. 'I want to learn as much about it as I can so I don't make mistakes.' When he was shopping around for courses, he considered two factors: the time involved, and the quality of the instructors. 'I cannot afford a two-year programme,' he said. 'I would rather do it in a short time, by focusing on a four-month programme.' He said losing his Sundays and time with his family over a four-month period was a small sacrifice. 'I am 48, a mature student, and I need a method for study.' Mr Hung said he wanted to gain knowledge of the mainland legal system, and understand the reasons behind the enactment of laws. 'With another 10 years to go before I retire, I foresee a lot of challenges,' he said. 'I have picked up the technology part already. Now it is time to build up my legal knowledge.' Mr Wong knows this legal knowledge will give him an edge in his profession and in his current position. 'My company has already set up joint ventures in different provinces in China,' he said. 'When I am better equipped with specialised knowledge, I will have better career advancement opportunities within the corporation.'