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However, due to changes in the system of legal education in England this facility will stop by the end of 1982.
In these circumstances the Advisory Committee on Legal Education considered that, in order to prevent a possible rush of students seeking to enrol so as to preserve in some way their position in relation to that method of qualifying, it would be necessary to close the roll to all prospective students other than those holding the Post Graduate Certificate in Laws of the University of Hong Kong or holding a recognized law degree.
This restriction was set out in the Bill in a new section which ultimately became section 26AA of the Legal Practitioners Ordinance.
Following the introduction of the Bill, there were lengthy discussions between the then Attorney General and some Honourable Members concerning the restriction on enrolment. These discussions centred over the question of whether or not it would be right to deny non-graduates the opportunity of enrolling as students. The Members felt that thought should be given as to whether it would be possible to devise ways and means whereby non-graduates could take courses of study in Hong Kong to become solicitors. For the Government's part, it was accepted that such an investigation should be carried out and that in those circumstances, it would not be appropriate for the closure of the roll to be made part of the permanent law.
And so section 26 AA of the Ordinance was amended by this Council to provide that it would expirc by the end of the year unless extended by this Council.
Since the matter was last before the Council, much
has happened.
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