Legal assistance is often needed by government authorities as they make strategic decisions and by local legislators who formulate regulations, said Zhu Hongchao, president of the Shanghai Bar Association.

"Establishing such a body indicates an improvement in the social status of attorneys," said Zhu.

Shanghai's more than 4,500 attorneys, who work in over 450 law firms, earned combined revenues of more than 1 billion yuan (US$120 million) last year.

But they still lack involvement in social affairs to improve their political status, the president said.

"As lawyers, they should not just handle cases," Zhu said.

Therefore, the bar association is making every effort to let more attorneys become deputies to local congresses and members of local political consultative conferences.

For example, lawyers will be available to help draft regulations and formulate government policies, said Lu Hongbing, vice-president of the association.

Another action that will help raise their social status is the establishment of a professional code of ethics, which will be used to standardize legal practices. The ethics code is slated for completion before year's end.

"The association doesn't allow 'bad eggs' to impair the reputation of attorneys," Lu said.

For example, they are not allowed to speak for the plaintiff during the initial case and then represent the defendant during an appeal, he said.

Other negative behaviours by local lawyers that could tarnish the justice system and create a bad image for their profession will be condemned, including overstating their legal credentials to entice clients and getting special privileges by using their connections with judges.

The association is also drafting several rules to curb conflicts of interest, said Zhu.

"Our aim is to establish a comprehensive self-discipline system in the next several years," he said.

(China Daily January 17, 2002)