Learn with us
Young Advocates Summer Camp
Young Advocates Summer Camp 2024: Empower, Inspire, and Transform – Be the Change You Want to See!
We believe that young people can play a big role in building an inclusive society. Our education programmes encourage secondary or high school students to consider the wider issues facing the communities they live amongst.
For more information, please see our information sheet.
Young Advocates Summer Camp:
Supporting Refugees & Other Forced Migrants
The Young Advocates Summer Camp (YASC) is a unique opportunity for high school students to gain hands-on experience in a non-profit setting.
Our YASC is based on our clinical legal education programmes. 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 interest 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.
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 running three sessions in summer 2024. Places are limited to six Young Advocates per session to allow us to offer a tailored programme to each student.
YASC 1: 2 – 12 July
YASC 2: 15 – 26 July
YASC 3: 29 July – 9 August
The YASC is open to students aged between 15 – 18.
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.
Young Advocates interested in applying should make individual applications by completing this form. Please refer to our information sheet for more details.
The deadline to apply is 26 May 2024.
Mock Trial
Young Advocates Mock Trial 2024: Your Gateway to the Legal World
Justice Centre Hong Kong is excited to announce the return of the Young Advocates Mock Trial for 2024, following the resounding success of the past two years. Scheduled for 14 and 21 April 2024, this two-day courtroom simulation offers high school students a unique and immersive experience into the workings of asylum law within the dynamic setting of Hong Kong.
For more information, please see our information sheet.
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 specializing 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.
Applications for the Young Advocates Mock Trial 2024 are now open, offering a rare chance to gain invaluable insights and practical skills in the field of law. The deadline for application submissions is 31 March 2024. To apply, interested students should complete the application here: Young Advocates Mock Trial Spring 2024.
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 2024 and embark on a journey of discovery, learning, and personal growth.
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
Open to university law students who are based in Hong Kong SAR over the summer, the Law Clinic empowers students to make a difference to the lives of people seeking asylum in Hong Kong SAR.
Application Process
Our Summer Refugee Protection Law Clinic will not take place this year as we are currently reviewing the content and delivery of the programme.
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!