Page 55 - Law Society of Hong Kong MPMC Manual v8 - With checklists (1 March 2018)

Practice Management Course | Checklist 1
Starting a Practice

CHECKLIST 1: STARTING A PRACTICE

STEP ACTION CHECK 
1. PRELIMINARY READING
Before starting a practice, it is essential to have a good understanding of the
legal requirements that govern:
• Legal practitioners - Legal Practitioners Ordinance and
• Legal practices - The Hong Kong Solicitors' Guide to Professional
Conduct, Volume 1 (Chapters 1-15) and Volume 2 (Chapters 1-42). In
particular:
• Chapter 2, Vol 1 - A Solicitor's Practice
• Chapter 18, Vol 2 - Solicitors' Practice Rules
• Chapter 24, Vol 2 – Practice Directions
Read these two Law Society publications:
• Information for New Local Law Firms
• A summary of the matters you must attend to either before (or within 14
days of) commencing to practice on your own account or in partnership –
with links to all downloads
2. DOWNLOAD FORM LP-3
You need to notify the Society within 14 days of commencing your practice
using Form LP3.
Download Form LP-3 – Commencement of Practice
3. FIRM NAME
Have you decided on the firm’s name (and Chinese name, if applicable)?
Does the firm’s name comply with rule 2A of the Solicitors’ Practice
Rules?
4. CERTIFICATE OF BUSINESS REGISTRATION
Do you have the firm’s Certificate of Business Registration?
5. COMMENCEMENT OF BUSINESS
Do you have the date when the firm commenced/will commence business?
6. PROFESSIONAL STAFF
Do you have the following details regarding all the firm’s professional staff
(full-time and part-time)?
• All professional staff must hold a valid practising certificate
• Full name (as on practising certificate)
• Solicitors reference no. (at bottom of practising certificate)
• Status (principal/assistant solicitor/consultant)
• Full-time/Part-time/Others - please specify
7. OTHER STAFF
Do you have the following details regarding all the firm’s other staff (full-time
and part-time)?
• Full Name (English & Chinese, if applicable)
• Date of Birth
• Chinese Commercial Code Number
• ID Card/ Passport Number
• Position
• Whether person is an Authorised Clerk
• For an Authorised Clerk – the name of her/his previous firm
8. FIRM OFFICE
Do you have the following details regarding the firm's office (or offices)?
• Address
• Telephone Number
• Fax Number
• Telex Number/Email
• DX Number

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