A word about rejection

It's March. That time of year where all US University decisions are coming out - which means, for some, inevitable rejection. I wrote a piece on my personal blog that I wanted to share with you in case you're feeling a little disappointed.  Hi. I'm really sorry. I know you don't want this right now, but, It's okay to …

Great resources for law

Bunch of legal questions/issues with answers: here (HKU's orientation bundle) Oxford Law Faculty podcasts (Podcasts of Law lectures, and other videos not relating to specific courses, presented by the Faculty of Law, University of Oxford) Legal problems: Professor Graham Virgo and Janet O'Sullivan (a great simulation of what a supervision is like - challenge yourself to think …

Hong Kong Law: Geoffrey Ma – 25 years with the Basic Law

It's a great idea to know a little bit about your local legal system (and maybe it's history as well) to evidence that you're interested in studying law. Basic Law 1990, took effect in 97 Unique nature of HK recognised through 1 country 2 systems: 1. brings the CONCEPT of independent judiciary (socialist philosophy - …

Notes from “The New Jim Crow”

This book is particularly inspiring for those who are interested in social justice and fighting for change. Using the legal system to do all the oppression of the past It is legal to discriminate criminals as it was legal to discriminate African Americans in the past Drug crime was declining when the War on Drugs …

Notes from “Justice: What’s the right thing to do?

Introduction Three different ways of thinking about justice, using the example of price gouging 1. Welfare maximisation (price gouging in desperate times ⇒ attract more workers ⇒ fix more roofs) Just because you’re angry does not mean that you should interfere with the market forces But… whose welfare maximisation? What if someone can’t afford it? …

Notes from “An Introduction to International Law”

Chapter 1: Nations under law We’re not really free - we depend on others to survive (food/power/clothing) Web of interdependence, we are social beings. Anything we have is only made possible by others. International law seeks to secure coexistence of sovereign state Relations are built on consent and agreement, rather than obligation or direction from …

Notes from “What about Law?”

Can you consent to harm? Today a person can consent to something if the harm is socially acceptable and they've consented to the RISK of harm as well. E.g boxing has rules, gloves, punches under the waist If the defendant wants the injury to be inflicted for no acceptable motive then consent is not relevant …