Chinese for Lawyers
Part of the range of Chinese language teaching courses and activities at SOAS Language Centre in London
Duration:
One year of three 12-week terms
Mode of Attendance: Part Time
Description
This course aims to teach Chinese (Mandarin) to law professionals or students who already have a good background in colloquial Chinese and wish to acquire a working knowledge of the vocabulary of commercial law. Participants learn to handle a range of situations relevant to working in the commercial sector of the Chinese legal environment today. Briefings (in English) given by specialists on Chinese law are an important aspect of the course.
Chinese for Lawyers will be based on materials written specially for SOAS Language Centre students. The course provides a total of 72 hours tuition over a one year period which includes listening, speaking, reading and some writing practice.
We begin with a general introduction to China's legal system and systematically cover the major areas of modern commercial law relevant to non-native practitioners. The course ends with a mooting in which every student is expected to participate.
Role-play, group discussion and debate are the main methods used to practice new vocabulary and language structures. By the end of the course students should have acquired a legal vocabulary of 1,000 to 1,500 words and will be in command of most of the common legal terms and phrases relating to commercial law. They will be able to operate within the Chinese legal-commercial environment, and discuss legal matters with Chinese colleagues.
There will be some briefings included in the course which will give students the basic background knowledge of Chinese Law allowing the students to use the vocabulary learned in the language section of the course effectively.
Class size is normally limited to fifteen to allow close involvement.
Course Outline
Lesson 1: General Introduction to Chinese Legal History
Lesson 2: China's Socialist Legal System
Lesson 3: Lawyer and Law Firms in China
Lesson 4: The Judiciary System in China
Lesson 5: Dispute Settlement in China: ultra-judicial ways
Lesson 6: Dispute Settlement in China: court-proceedings
Lesson 7: Foreign-related Economic Contracts
Lesson 8: The Legal Framework for Joint-Ventures
Lesson 9: Company Law in China
Lesson 10: The Legal Framework for Banking and Finance
Lesson 11: The Legal Framework for the Securities Market in China
Lesson 12: Taxation Law in China: Advantages for Foreign Investment
Lesson 13: Case Studies: Foreign-related Arbitration Awards and their Enforcement
Lesson 14: Case Studies: Foreign-related Contract Disputes
Lesson 15: Commercial Crimes and their Punishment in China
Lesson 16: The Relationship Between the Hong Kong and Chinese Legal Systems after 1997
Lesson 17: Chinese Law and International Treaties
Lesson 18: Mooting: advise your client on a dispute with a Chinese business associate in China.
Entry Requirements
Entry to the course is by assessment only. To avoid disappointment please contact the SOAS Language Centre well in advance of the beginning of term to arrange an assessment date. The assessment involves a short oral examination and a written paper and will require at least 2 hours to complete. We expect applicants will have studied Chinese for at least 2 to 3 years previously, be able to hold everyday conversations comfortably and recognise at least 1,500 to 2,000 characters. No previous knowledge of Chinese law or specialist legal terms is required but persons who do not have a legal background and an understanding of legal terminology in English may find the course difficult to follow.
Fee for this Course
The fee for each twelve-week term is £545 payable in advance.
Terms and Conditions
See our terms and conditions of payment before enrolling on the course.
How to Apply for this Course
You can apply and pay online or by post.
Classes may fill up quickly. In some cases, additional classes are set up. It is best to apply early in order to avoid disappointment.
Materials
SOAS Language Centre materials are provided.
Timetable
Classes will be held on one evening per week or Saturday daytime at the Bloomsbury or Kings Cross campus of SOAS in central London. Participants receive 24 hours of language tuition over each twelve-week period (with additional weeks where public holidays displace a class session). See our timetable pages for dates and times.
