Law
Mentor: Mr. John Marray (Barrister)
Hazel Choi
From August 18th to 22nd, I had the opportunity to shadow Mr. John Marray, an experienced barrister specializing in criminal law, at Admiralty Chambers.
During the week, I assisted Mr. Marray and his pupil in preparing for an upcoming money laundering trial. This involved meticulously reviewing exhibits and official documents to identify key details that would support our case strategy. I witnessed the immense effort that goes into preparing for a trial, from reading through bundles of evidence and crafting pre-trial submissions to drafting questions for direct and cross-examination. It provided me with a glimpse into the complex and dynamic work of barristers.
The highlight of the week was observing the money laundering trial at the Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts, which was incredibly eye-opening. I saw the level of diligence and dedication that all parties involved devote to ensuring a fair trial. This experience offered me a new perspective on the significance of law in society.
Despite my short stay, I was genuinely inspired by Mr. Marray’s passion and professionalism. I gained profound insights into the commitment of legal professionals to upholding justice and maintaining an orderly society.
Mentor: Ms. Christie Lee (Barrister)
Antares Ho & Hebe Yiu
Over two days (20/8 and 21/8), we had the opportunity to shadow Ms. Christie Lee, a barrister, gaining invaluable insights into legal practice. On the first day, we attended court to observe her client plead guilty in a fraud case. This experience provided a real-world understanding of court procedures, advocacy, and client interactions.
Afterwards, we returned to her office, where we reviewed cases spanning family law, criminal law, and mental health law. Ms. Lee encouraged active participation by assigning us case studies to analyse and critique, which strengthened our critical thinking and legal evaluation skills. She also offered practical advice on studying law, legal ethics, and career options, broadening our understanding of the profession.
Throughout the experience, Ms. Lee patiently answered our questions, clarifying complex legal concepts while emphasising the importance of professionalism and ethical responsibility. This job-shadowing opportunity not only enhanced our legal knowledge but also provided a realistic glimpse into a barrister’s work, reinforcing our interest in pursuing law. The hands-on tasks and mentorship were invaluable in developing both our analytical abilities and career perspective.
Mentor: Ms. Claudia Kong (Kevin Ng & Co., Solicitors)
Athena Au & Charlotte Lee
During our job shadowing experience at Kevin Ng & Co., Solicitors, on July 30, 2025, we gained valuable insights into the legal profession.
The day began with our attendance at a court hearing, where we observed the dynamics between a self-represented plaintiff and our barrister. This highlighted the intricacies of courtroom proceedings, and it was fascinating to see how judges weigh arguments in real time.
After the hearing, Ms. Claudia Kong took the time to guide us through her work at the firm, providing detailed explanations of various legal concepts. She explained the concept of annulment and conveyancing, emphasising the importance of attention to detail and client communication, as even minor errors can have significant consequences. Watching her draft documents and handle stressful calls from clients deepened our understanding of a solicitor’s daily responsibilities.
Overall, this experience solidified our desire to pursue a career as solicitors, and we are grateful for the opportunity and support from Ms. Claudia Kong, which made the day both informative and enjoyable.
Mentor: Ms. Denise Chan
Hayley Mok
My one-week job shadowing experience at Harneys, a leading international law firm known for its entrepreneurial approach, provided me with valuable insights into the field of law. I had the opportunity to assist both the Corporate and Commercial Team and the Asian Human Resources Department, which allowed me to gain diverse perspectives on the firm's global operations.
On the legal side, I reviewed corporate contract documents, which offered practical insights into the complexities of offshore law. At the same time, my work with the HR Department involved contributing to two major projects aimed at improving the functionality of the company intranet, especially in Asia.
This hands-on experience helped demystify the working environment of a prominent international firm, allowing me to observe professionals, ask meaningful questions, and contribute to their workflows. It was an enriching opportunity that deepened my understanding of corporate law and inspired my career aspirations within the legal field.
Mentor: Ms. Kamina Lai (Barrister, Wellington Chambers)
Charlotte Kung & Fiona To
We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to shadow Ms. Kamina Lai on 18th August 2025. Our day began at the Eastern Magistracy, where we observed a session concerning the adjournment of a hearing. This experience offered valuable insight into the judicial process and case management. Later, we visited Ms. Lai’s office in Central, where we had an engaging conversation with her about the legal sector.
During our discussion, she shared her professional experiences and perspectives as a seasoned barrister, including the mental and emotional challenges that lawyers often encounter. This not only expanded our understanding of the practical field of law but also provided a realistic view of the qualities needed to succeed as a legal professional. Overall, it was an extremely rewarding job shadowing experience, and we truly learnt a lot.
Mentor: Karen Leung (Magistrate)
Torrance Tse & Clare Zhang
Our job shadowing at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Court under the guidance of our mentor, Ms Karen Leung, was truly an eye-opening experience that connected classroom learning with real-world legal practice. While we were surprised by the swift pace of proceedings and the informal interactions among legal professionals, we also recognised the vital importance of precision, adaptability, and empathy in this essential field. The experience reinforced how the key skills we are currently developing at school, particularly bilingual communication, critical thinking, and public speaking, can be directly applied to courtroom dynamics.
Although the legal industry may not always be as dramatic and theatrical as it is often portrayed on television, we developed a new appreciation for the efforts magistrates make for the community. At the end of our job shadowing, we received valuable advice on legal studies and pursuing a legal career from our mentor, which motivates us to refine our plans to become aspiring lawyers in Hong Kong.
Mentor: Ms. Teresa Leung (Barrister, Pacific Chambers)
Charlotte Lee
This five-day internship provided an exceptionally thorough and practical introduction to the legal profession. On the first day, my mentor delivered a detailed overview of legal procedures and offered a valuable comparison between the roles of barristers and solicitors.
During the following days, I attended proceedings at the Sha Tin and Kowloon City courts. I also had the opportunity to shadow duty lawyer sessions that dealt with breaches of conditions of stay. Over lunch, my mentor was very helpful in clarifying areas where I had questions and provided detailed answers regarding the work of a barrister.
I was assigned a case to analyse, which involved the attempted export of unmanifested goods. My task was to identify flaws in the charges using my knowledge of "duplicity," which I had learned from a legal commentary provided by my mentor. Scrutinising the transcripts from both the prosecution and the defence helped sharpen my analytical thinking skills, and I was able to use a past case I had encountered in my research as a foundation for developing my argument.
This experience has not only heightened my interest in law but has also given me a clearer idea of my potential career path.
