The School of Law (SOL) at City University of Macau (CityU) offers a teaching model that combines learning with practical application. With a focus on the legal system of Macao, the school aims to cultivate students who are familiar with the local legal system, have an international perspective, and possess innovative thinking. Through learning and training, students will develop into multilingual legal professionals with a strong emphasis on practice and research. The teaching team consists of renowned experts and scholars from Macao, mainland China, and the international legal community, with extensive experience in the legal field.
[foogallery id="59484"]
Highlights on Comparative Law to Nurture Multilingual Illegal Professionals
SOL offers Master of Law program, which focus on studying comparative law namely: Constitutional Law, Basic Law, Administrative Law, Comparative Criminal Law, Comparative Civil Law, and International Commercial Law with an emphasis on comparative studies of legal systems in Macao and mainland China. The teaching team consists of senior and renowned experts from the legal community in Macao. The faculty members come from prestigious law schools such as Renmin University of China, China University of Political Science and Law, East China University of Political Science and Law, and the University of Macau. They have a solid foundation in legal theory, and some have previously served as judges in the Supreme People’s Court. Others are registered practicing lawyers in Macao, with a wealth of experience in judicial practice.
Through comparative studies of Macao and mainland China’s legal systems, students can deepen their understanding and knowledge of the legal systems and broaden their perspectives. The program has undergone rigorous evaluation by the Higher Education Teaching Assessment Center of the Ministry of Education, demonstrating its learning effectiveness and practical learning experience.
Innovative Teaching Model Steers Industry-Academic Collaboration
SOL has established close connections with courts, procuratorates, law firms, and universities in Macao and mainland China, actively exploring innovative teaching models that combine practice and research. The school aims to cultivate high-quality legal professionals with a global perspective to serve Macao and neighboring regions. The school has also established partnerships with legal institutions such as Beijing Zhongwen (Shenzhen) Law Firm and Hengqin People’s Court (Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin), providing students with ample internship opportunities. Additionally, the school actively organizes legal exchange and study abroad programs for students to broaden their professional perspectives. In July of this year, faculty and students from the School of Law participated in the “2023 Hong Kong, Macao, and Mainland Youth Legal Exchange Week” organized by the China Law Society and hosted by the Shenzhen Law Society, attending a series of legal exchange activities in Beijing and Shenzhen. In May, outstanding master’s degree graduate students participated in the “Hong Kong and Macao Youth Intellectual Property Capability Enhancement Study Tour” organized by the Guangdong Intellectual Property Research Association and jointly hosted by Jinan University and CityU. This helped students gain a comprehensive understanding of intellectual property research, protection, and implementation.
[foogallery id="59487"]
High-End Academic Conference to Enrich Campus Life
The school also collaborates with the industry to organize high-end academic events and enrich learning resources. This semester, SOL invited Prof. Wang Yu, professor at the Faculty of Law of University of Macau (UM), a member of the Macao Basic Law Committee, and a member of the independent committee for recommending judges, to give a lecture on “Several Major Controversial Issues Since the Implementation of the Macao Basic Law.” Prof. Zhao Guoqiang, an adjunct professor at the UM’s Faculty of Law and a doctoral supervisor at Renmin University of China’s Law School, also gave a lecture on “The Current Situation and Reflections on Macau Criminal Law,” sharing his insights on the performance and reflections of Macao’s criminal legislation, the main characteristics and reflections of Macao’s criminal substantive law, and the current situation and reflections of Macao’s criminal justice practice. In addition, the SOL invited senior solicitor Chan Bronson Yik Him from the Hong Kong’s law firm – Howse Williams to give a lecture on “An Introduction to the Legal Profession and the Legal Procedures for Debt Recovery in Hong Kong,” introducing the basic situation of the legal profession in Hong Kong and the ways of realizing creditor’s rights and the litigation procedures under the Hong Kong legal system.
Through a series of high-end academic lectures, SOL aimed to help students further understand the legal systems and differences between the mainland Chinese legal system and the Anglo-American legal system. The guest speakers introduced the characteristics of Macao criminal law, the Macao Basic Law, and Hong Kong debt recovery litigation from different dimensions, helping students understand the legal differences between Macao, Hong Kong, and Mainland China.
[foogallery id="59491"]
Active Participation in Competitions to Strengthen Practice Skills
SOL actively encourages students to participate in professional competitions to enhance their practical skills and competitiveness. From September to November of this year, the school organized students to participate in the International Humanitarian Law Moot Court Competition organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross and well-known domestic universities. The CityU team made it to the top 32 in the country against Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and China University of Political Science and Law and won the third prize in the finals, being the only winning team from Macao. In the same month, the school organized students to participate in the “Trade Arbitration Cup” International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court Debate Competition organized by the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, aiming to improve students’ legal literacy and arbitration skills. In December of last year, CityU students participated in the finals of the 8th Public Welfare Star Creative Litigation Competition and the 9th Public Welfare Star Creative Litigation Competition, winning the third prize and the excellent organization award. In September of last year, the school and students participated in the Second Invitational Moot Arbitration Competition of the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao Colleges and Universities (IMAC) organized by the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs of the Ministry of Education, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal Government, UniYep, and Fudan University, winning the excellent organization award and excellent guidance award. In addition, the school also actively organized mock court exchange meetings, moot court debates, and other events to help students gain a better understanding of the genres, history, and rules of moot court competitions.
[foogallery id="59494"]
Diverse Exchange Activities Enhance Professionalism
The school organized students to visit and learn from legal institutions and government departments in Macao and the Greater Bay Area, such as the Commission Against Corruption, law firms, the Macao Basic Law Memorial Hall, and the Hengqin New Area Planning Exhibition. They also led students to participate in various seminars, such as the Seminar Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Promulgation of the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, the Seminar on Constitutional and Legal Systems of Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and the Constitutional and Basic Law Symposiums, providing students with more platforms for exchange and learning. In addition, SOL has established a legal association, organizing various legal-related popularization and exchange activities, and exchanging learning with law students from other universities in Macao to enhance students’ enthusiasm for learning. In November of this year, representatives of master’s students participated in the “5th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Intellectual Property Student Forum” and had in-depth exchanges on intellectual property law knowledge with law schools in the region.
[foogallery id="59498"]
Let's see what the newcomers have to say about their learning experiences!
First-year student Xia Weiwei, Master of Law
We have three campuses, all of which have beautiful environments. The Taipa campus offers a view of the South China Sea, Pearl River, and Macao scenery. Due to its special location, the classrooms are known as sea view classrooms by students, and the beautiful scenery helps everyone relax during breaks. In terms of our studies, teachers compare mainland and Macao laws to expand our knowledge. At the same time, through a large number of case studies, we are trained in understanding and applying the law. In addition, the school also provides many professional academic activities to cultivate our academic abilities, and we are able to access various and convenient academic websites. There is a wide variety of learning materials and facilities available at the library, and they also offer services such as equipment borrowing and Kindle browsing. The Faculty also invites well-known professors to give lectures and organize students to participate in domestic and international competitions. The extracurricular activities are also diverse, and during exchanges and meetings between new and senior students, we can learn more about activities at the school and further improve our future study plans. We also have the opportunity to participate in community activities with other law schools and exchange and learn with outstanding law students. The learning journey at CityU Law School has been fulfilling and rewarding.
First-year student Liu Wenbin, Master of Law
We have three beautiful campuses nestled in the mountains and facing the sea. Here, we get to experience different cultural systems and customs and meet students from all over the world. The lights shining on the Macao Tower, the lighthouse on Guia Hill, the slopes on the way to school, and the air-conditioning in the library will all become fond memories of our time studying in Macao. As graduate students, we find our time at CityU to be fulfilling compared to our undergraduate life. Not only do we get to experience the morning rush in Macao, but we are also surrounded by a strong academic atmosphere, which we enjoy very much. The school provides us with high-quality courses and learning environments, both in terms of teaching teams and course arrangements. The teaching mode of the school combines study and practice, with a focus on the Macao legal system, to cultivate our familiarity with the legal system and develop our international perspective and innovative spirit. During our time at CityU, we have attended academic lectures in English and had the opportunity to represent the school in various academic competitions, which has greatly enriched our academic experience.
Explore innovative teaching approaches, stimulate students’ passion for learning, and cultivate multilingual legal talents.
Open for program applications! Join School of Law!
- Master of Law
