2026 INFORMATION PACKAGE - Admission as a Solicitor in Hong Kong for Overseas Lawyers

Oct 1, 2026

Uploaded by Elsa

2026 INFORMATION PACKAGE sets out the Law Society of Hong Kong’s Overseas Lawyers Qualification Examination (OLQE) framework for overseas lawyers seeking admission as solicitors. It outlines routes to admission, jurisdiction categories, and the examination information covering post-admission experience requirements, application steps, exemption applications, certificates, review of decisions, registration procedures, supplementary package details, past papers, examination standards, and access to resources. It also covers examination topics, written and oral assessment requirements, eligibility, English proficiency, dates, entry and fees, reference materials, and practical rules on materials, devices, recording, withdrawals, absences, marking, results, reviews, resits, and candidate special situations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages135

Reading Time5 h 40 min

AccessFree to download

PART I—OVERSEAS LAWYERS QUALIFICATION EXAMINATION

A. Routes to admission for overseas lawyers

B. List of common law / non-common law jurisdictions

C. Overseas Lawyers Qualification Examination Information

D. Overseas Lawyers Qualification Examination Procedures

ADMISSION AS A SOLICITOR IN HONG KONG FOR OVERSEAS LAWYERS 2026 INFORMATION PACKAGE 5 February 2026 The Law Society of Hong Kong 26th Floor, The Center 99 Queen’s Road Central Central, Hong Kong [Note: The Law Society of Hong Kong has relocated to this new office address with effect from 30 March 2026] [Email: OLQEAppln@hklawsoc.org.hk](Email: OLQEAppln@hklawsoc.org.hk) Tel: (852) 2805 9103 Fax: (852) 2845 0387 [Website: www.hklawsoc.org.hk](Website: www.hklawsoc.org.hk) Office Hours: 9:00 a.m.– 5:45 p.m., Monday to Friday This Package is in PDF format. Applicants can download the Package as a whole or any section of it from the website of The Law Society of HongKong. CONTENTS PART I—OVERSEAS LAWYERS QUALIFICATION EXAMINATION A. Routes to admission for overseas lawyers ........................................................................... 2 B. List of common law / non-common law jurisdictions ........................................................ 3 1. Examples of common law jurisdictions ....................................................................... 3 2. Examples of non-common law jurisdictions................................................................ 3 C. Overseas Lawyers Qualification Examination Information ............................................. 4 1. Requirements for post-admission experience .............................................................. 4 2. Application Form (both online and paper-based Application Forms are available) .... 5 3. Examination dates for 2026 and mode of Examination ............................................... 6 4. Applications for exemption from sitting all or part of the Examination...................... 6 5. Certificates ................................................................................................................... 6 6. A review of the Law Society’s decision under Rule 3(2) ............................................ 7 7. Procedure for registration to sit the 2026 Examination ............................................... 7 8. Supplementary Information Package ........................................................................... 7 9. Past Examination papers .............................................................................................. 8 10. Examination standard................................................................................................... 8 11. Access to the High Court Library and the members’ zone of the Law Society website .................................................................................................... 8 12. Preparation for the Examination .................................................................................. 9 13. Withdrawal from sitting the Examination.................................................................... 9 14. Absence from the Examination.................................................................................. 10 15. Format of Heads I, II, III and VI test papers for the 2026 Examination.................... 11 16. Format of Head IV test paper for the 2026 Examination........................................... 11 17. Proficiency in the use of English language................................................................ 11 18. Examination materials ............................................................................................... 11 19. Computers / calculators, mobile phones etc.............................................................. 12 20. Phototaking, Audio or Video Recording ................................................................... 12 21. Candidates with incapacities or disabilities ............................................................... 12 22. Marking Procedures ................................................................................................... 12 23. Examination results ........................

FAQs

What does the 2026 INFORMATION PACKAGE cover for overseas lawyers?

It provides routes to admission, OLQE information, and OLQE procedures, including application requirements, exemption options, examination dates and modes, standards, and candidate rules for the 2026 examination.

How are applications and registration to sit the 2026 examination handled?

The package specifies application form availability (online and paper-based), procedures for registration to sit the 2026 examination, and related supplementary information.

What topics and assessment requirements apply to the written and oral parts?

It lists examination topics, explains pass conditions, marks required to pass a written head, eligibility for the oral head, and how competence in the oral head is assessed, including the English language requirement.

Oct 1, 2026

Uploaded by Elsa