ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some of the problems law students in Hong Kong may have in dealing with a dual legal system. On 1 July 1997, the Basic Law of Hong Kong came into effect with the result that not only was the concept of 'one country, two systems' adopted but also a dual common law and civil law legal system. The chapter examines that the legal traditions that dictate how each legal system operates and is expressed can form the basis for gaining insights into the two different cultures and ideologies, as well as the linguistic practices used to express such cultures and ideologies. The legal tradition relates the legal system to the culture of which it is a partial expression. It puts the legal system into cultural perspective. These reflect the ideology and fundamental traditions of the Chinese legal system with the focus on historical events and the common aspirations of the people.
