Learn with us

We believe that young people have the power to make a positive impact on their communities. Our education programmes inspire and empower secondary and high school students to explore social issues and consider their role in creating a more inclusive society.

Young Advocates Summer Camp

Mock Trial Experience

Clinical Legal Education

School engagement

Young Advocates Summer Camp

Young Advocates Summer Camp: Empower, Inspire, and Transform – Be the Change You Want to See!

The Young Advocates Summer Camp (YASC) is engaging, two week programme which provide high school students with exposure to law and hands-on experience in the non-profit sector. Through interactive workshops, case studies, and simulations, participants will learn about pressing social issues impacting refugees and asylum seekers in Hong Kong, and explore their role in building a more inclusive society.

Young Advocates will leave with invaluable skills, such as critical thinking,
communication and empathy, which will empower them as they apply to universities in their future careers.

Young Advocates Summer Camps:
Supporting Refugees & Other Forced Migrants

Our YASC is based on our clinical legal education programmes and professional training to lawyers. Through the intensive traineeship, Young Advocates gain practical experience in all areas of our work, from the provision of legal, counselling and social welfare support to refugees to community empowerment initiatives. They have the opportunity to provide support on real asylum cases, including sitting in on interviews and conducting research to help our lawyers in preparing legal submissions.

Each Young Advocate is guided to design and develop their own personal project, which we encourage to be implemented in real life after completion of the programme. Past projects have included setting up groups to help source free eye care for refugees and coordinating basketball teams among refugee children.

Places are limited to six Young Advocates per session to allow us to offer a tailored programme to each student. Young Advocates receive one-to-one personal coaching and mentorship from our experienced and passionate team of staff lawyers, helping students develop important skills, knowledge, and experience as they begin applying for university.

Programme dates

We are excited to announce that we will be offering four sessions this Summer 2025:

  • [NEW] Early YASC: 16 – 27 June
  • YASC 1: 30 June – 11 July
  • YASC 2: 14 – 25 July
  • YASC 3: 28 July – 8 August

Cost

The YASC costs $60,000 HKD (including non-refundable deposit of $30,000 HKD).

All fees cover the cost of delivering the training and support our direct services to the most vulnerable in our society.

The YASC is open to students aged between 14 – 18, with a right of residence in Hong Kong.

Young Advocates should have a keen interest in refugee and migrant issues and diversity and inclusion. The YASC is aimed at students interested in a career in law, psychology and social sciences but it also allows those who are still deciding on potential study options to explore their interests.

To apply, please complete the Application Form.

The deadline for applications to the Young Advocates Summer Camp are as follows:

  • Early YASC & YASC 1: 8 June 2025
  • YASC 2: 22 June 2025
  • YASC 3: 6 July 2025

For more details, please see the information sheet: Young Advocates Summer Camp – Information Sheet and Sample Schedule

Young Advocates training with lawyers at one of our pro bono partner firms
This experience was unforgettable and eye opening, and allowed me to connect on a deeper level with a cause that I care about. The hands-on nature of the program was incredibly impactful. Participating in the various excursions, activities, and one-on-one sessions not only made the experience incredibly enjoyable, but also left me feeling deeply invested and eager to continue learning more. Rather than simply reading about the issues or receiving a lecture, being immersed in the day-to-day realities of the organisation allowed me to viscerally understand the challenges faced by the community being served.
ArianeSummer YASC
The Young Advocates Summer Camp is truly a unique program. It allowed me to develop my public speaking, legal research, and writing skills the most. Between mock trials, mock interviews, or screening cases, the YASC gives students an engaging and hands on learning experience. Additionally, it also granted me with more knowledge regarding international human rights, the legal framework in Hong Kong, as well as refugee law in general. The YASC is a fantastic opportunity that I’d recommend to all students interested in law, human rights, social welfare, or those who’d like to further educate themselves.
JoelleSummer YASC
The programme exceeded my expectations, with detailed and intensive training and real-life opportunities to practice classroom concepts. We were able to see and experience many processes that most don't until college, law school, or even beyond. Overall, I have completed the programme with a much deeper understanding of the legal system, the realities it has created, and the access points at which youth can create change.
IsabellaSummer YASC

Mock Trial

Young Advocates Mock Trial: Your Gateway to the Legal World

The Young Advocates Mock Trial is an immersive two-day progamme, equipping high school students with the knowledge and skills to compete in a courtroom setting. Through engaging workshops based on real-life asylum cases, students develop their advocacy skills and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of the legal system.

We will be hosting our next Young Advocates Mock Trial later in 2025. Stay tuned for more details as we continue to plan this immersive and educational event. 

To register your interest in our Mock Trial, please complete this form.

Unleashing Potential Through Immersive Learning

Our comprehensive programme is meticulously designed to transform participants from high school students into confident individuals ready to navigate the complexities of the legal system.

Day One focuses on intensive training, where participants will be introduced to the core tenets of international law, the specifics of asylum law, and the essential skills for legal research and courtroom advocacy. This preparatory workshop is facilitated by our team of internationally qualified lawyers, ensuring that all participants receive top-tier mentorship.

Day Two elevates the experience as participants step into the roles of ‘Lawyers’ or ‘Expert Witnesses’ for a Torture Claims Appeal Board (TCAB) simulation. This simulation is not just an exercise; it’s a close replication of real-world legal proceedings, judged by a distinguished panel of experts specialising in asylum law in Hong Kong.

The Young Advocates Mock Trial is open to all secondary students in Hong Kong who are currently in Form 4 (Grade 10/ Year 11) or above. We welcome students with a keen interest in law, refugee issues, public policy, or those simply looking to challenge themselves and expand their horizons. No previous experience in public speaking, mooting, or advocacy is required – we’re looking for motivated individuals ready to dive into the legal field headfirst.

Details of how to apply to our Autumn Mock Trial will be announced shortly. To register your interest, please complete this form. Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for updates.

In the meantime, feel free to explore the other programs and events we offer. There are plenty of ways to get involved and make a difference!

This programme is more than just a learning experience; it’s an opportunity to develop critical thinking, public speaking, and legal reasoning skills in a supportive and stimulating environment. Participants will leave not only with a deeper understanding of asylum law but also with enhanced debating skills and the confidence to voice their ideas effectively.

At Justice Centre Hong Kong, we are committed to fostering the next generation of legal professionals and advocates. Join us for the Young Advocates Mock Trial 2025 and embark on a journey of discovery, learning, and personal growth.

Mock trial 2023
The mock trial experience went far beyond my expectations. In one day, we were given a comprehensive run down of refugee court procedures, and the organisers at Justice Centre were so supportive and willing to answer every question. The actual day of the mock trial was nerve-wracking initially, but the support given by the organisers and their guidance was very constructive and helpful. I enjoyed every second of this and I've learnt so much!
ValerieLawyer participant, Mock Trial
Justice Centre's mock trial helped me immensely in laying the building blocks for a potential future in law, asylum law and fighting for the rights of refugees.
EvelynExpert Witness participant, Mock Trial
Overall, the experience was really fun and enjoyable! I learnt so much about law and related skills as well as gaining relevant skills for future endeavours. The organisers and tutors were very professional and gave a lot of valuable insight into the process as a whole. Thank you Justice Centre!
LynetteExpert witness participant, Mock Trial

Clinical Legal Education

Justice Centre is dedicated to training and supporting future generations of refugee protection practitioners.

Students on our programmes receive tailored training on refugee law and have the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a practical setting. They develop essential professional skills and use these to make a difference. 

Justice Centre’s clinic programme allows students to work on asylum cases within a nascent and fast-developing system. Students learn about the existing legal protection framework in Hong Kong SAR, and develop their legal skills in a real practice setting where they are supervised to handle their own caseload. They also have the opportunity to assist in community projects to raise awareness of issues affecting refugee and migrant communities.

Through our Refugee Protection Law Clinic Students are guided to take a community-centred approach to legal work, learn the value of pro bono practice, connect with practitioners and experts, and develop practical skills to work with marginalised communities and contribute to a welcoming and inclusive society in Hong Kong SAR.

The work of our clinic students have contributed to access to protection and redress for refugees and forced migrants, and the creation of helpful precedents. Graduates of our clinics have gone on to become refugee lawyers, representing protection claimants in Hong Kong SAR’s asylum screening process, and working on public interest law issues around the world.

We have more than a decade of experience in delivering clinical legal education programmes.  We have successfully run clinical legal education programmes with academic partners including the Chinese University of Hong Kong SAR, the University of Hong Kong SAR, the University of Cambridge and the Queensland University of Technology.

In 2020, we adapted our programme to offer remote placements and facilitate ongoing engagement with our international education partners.

If you are a university and would like to partner with us to deliver an impactful clinical legal education programme to your students, please contact us at events@justicecentre.org.hk

Justice Centre’s Law Clinic is an immensely rewarding experience that provides great exposure to the practical workings of non-refoulement law in Hong Kong SAR. Not only does JCHK provide well-structured, in-depth training to prepare us for substantive, meaningful tasks, we also had invaluable opportunities to talk to clients and understand how the work we do are actually positively impacting on their lives. As a result, I was able to hone both legal and non-legal skills through assisting in client meetings, legal research and drafting. The Clinic is an eye-opening experience that allows you to truly appreciate the value of pro bono practice, as well as be more aware of the injustice that exists in society today. I would highly recommend students to take up the opportunity to work with Justice Centre Hong Kong SAR.​
AllySummer Clinic​
The Clinic experience was eye-opening. It was a fantastic opportunity, where the main emphasis was learning by doing. The numerous client interactions makes you realise that while everything may sound well-planned on paper, this is not always an accurate depiction of the reality in practice. The work assignments were varied and challenging. Each assignment always developed existing core and soft skillsets crucial to the legal field, such as conducting legal research and client interviews, communicating in workplace and making oral presentation. Our contributions were always valued with feedback and we felt that our work always matters and made a difference to a client seeking a non-refoulment protection. It was an enriching experience and a great way to also meet people with the same aim and vision.
IanSummer Clinic
The Clinic Programme is the most rewarding internship I have ever participated in. I have been able to obtain deep knowledge in the field of non-refoulement protection law through extensive training provided by Justice Centre; I have also been able to put this knowledge into practice: as a participant, I was not being tasked with repetitive administrative work, but actual meaningful work that created impact to non-refoulement protection claimants. However, what was most impressive about the Programme, is that Justice Centre is very welcoming of new ideas, even if these new ideas come from a clinic participant. As such during the Clinic Programme, I was able to make proposals to Justice Centre on schemes to better serve Non-refoulement protection claimants; and Justice Centre was very eager to support me beyond the clinic Programme to make the proposal a reality. I strongly urge all law students who have creative ideas and who want to learn about how their legal knowledge can be used to better society to join the programme.
BenSummer Clinic
Training with our Cambridge University Clinic students at one of our pro bono partner firms

School Engagement 

There are lots of ways to introduce the work of Justice Centre to your school. Whether you would like one of our experienced lawyers or a refugee leader to deliver a presentation on refugee issues or partner with us for a CAS project, we’d love to hear your ideas!

For teachers and students who want to learn more about helping refugees in Hong Kong SAR, we would be happy to support you.  Please take a look at our School Pamphlet for an overview of how school communities could learn with us!

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