Training Legal Practitioners - Is China’s System of Legal Education Up To the Task?

This analysis utilises educational theory to examine the potential of the system of Legal Practice Education in the People’s Republic of China to train Legal Practitioners who can perform their duties as effectively as possible. In addressing this issue it is first essential to define the terms Social Purpose and Legal Practitioner in the context of the People's Republic of China and to discuss aspects of educational theory - which should underpin any good system of Legal Practice Education. The paper's question will then be formulated in light of the defined terms and theories and analysed in light of legislation and a range of legal articles and publications. The paper concludes that it is fair to say that it is apparent that China's system of legal education is indeed potentially up to the task of training effective practitioners. The impact of the lawyers' law on such training is generally beneficial and has the potential to continue to enhance the effectiveness of People’s Republic of China Legal Practitioners over time. Having considered Legal Education in China in the context of the theoretical educational concept of Kolb et al's nodal learning cycle, Northedge et al's notion of learning spirals and in light of a number of other scholarly articles considered, it is apparent that, although there are some improvements yet to be made - particularly with regard to the prerequisites for sitting The State Law Examination - the basic structure required for the education of effective and competent Practitioners is in fact in place. China's system of Legal Practice Education is indeed potentially up to the task of training effective Legal Practitioners