The Ministry of Justice issued a series of regulations Monday to
curb illegal operation by lawyers and law firms. The regulation,
scheduled to take effect on May 1, lists 21 illegal activities.
"Lawyers not only represent the interests of their clients but
also are a critical power in realizing justice," said Zhao Dacheng,
director of the ministry's department of lawyers and
notarization.
Professional associations will play a more important role in
supervising lawyers and curbing illegal activity under the new
regulation. The administration can entrust lawyers' associations to
probe illegal operations.
Law firms will be deprived of business licenses if they bribe
judges or prosecuting attorneys.
Another administrative regulation on charging of fees is also
scheduled to take effect on May 1.
"Disorder is rife in this field," Zhao said, "there is no
regulation on how law firms will charge fees, though there are
rules on how much they should charge."
Lawyers are forbidden to collect private fees from clients and
law firms should be supervised by the judiciary and pricing
administrations, according to the regulation.
"Without sound rules, the law firms won't go further," said He
Baojian of the Zhejiang Haitong United Law Office. "For all
law-abiding lawyers, the new rules will be positive for their
business."
He believes that rigorous supervision will help lawyers rebuild
their image, which has been harmed by the actions of some
lawyers.
"If the lawyers do a good job, the interests of all parties will
be protected," he said.
(Xinhua News Agency 23, 2004)