Cui Zhe, Frank (Oriel, 2000 - 2003)

My name is Cui Zhe (English name being Frank Cui). I was selected by the Trust in 2000 and from then to 2003 pursued my study of law at Oriel College. Thanks to the sponsorship of the Trust and the guidance and kindness of Mr and Mrs Paterson personally, I had three very rewarding and memorable years in Oxford. After graduation I decided to join a legal practice and towards that direction underwent further professional training. I am currently working as a solicitor at Linklaters in Hong Kong.

Looking retrospectively at my Oxford years and in the light of my subsequent experience, I cherish now more than ever the unique and golden opportunity given to me by the Trust. Not prone to any fast-track approaches, which are common among many Chinese students who study law overseas, the Trust requires and supports each scholar to use three full years in Oxford to learn all core subjects of the English law. This learning lays the solid foundation and knowledge platform upon which the scholars can build up their future careers, whether academic or practical. It enables the scholars to see a fuller picture of, and understand in a more comprehensive way, the making and workings of English law. Together with their knowledge of Chinese law obtained previously, the scholars will acquire the ability to work in both legal systems and finally stand at a relatively high ground to compare the two systems. This ability potentially empowers the scholars at some point in the future to make valuable contributions to the on-going evolution of the Chinese legal system.

The past thirty years in China have again proved the theory that when given economic freedom and private ownership (even though somewhat limited in scope) protected by the state, people guided by the market can spontaneously create enormous wealth and prosperity. This free-market model demands an improved legal system and an impartial judiciary in China that adjudicates between the individuals and between the individuals and the state, free from any undue interference. Achievement of this goal requires strenuous and lasting efforts and I believe the Trust and its scholars will play their part in this gigantic and historic change.

December 2007