Decree of the Ministry of Justice P.R.C

No. 118

The Decision of the Ministry of Justice on Revising the Measures for the Administration of Associations Formed by Hong Kong SAR-based Law Firms or Macao SAR-based Law Firms and Mainland Law Firms, which was adopted through deliberation at the executive meeting of the Ministry of Justice on Sep. 1, 2009, is hereby promulgated. It shall enter into force on Oct. 1, 2009.

Minister Wu Aiying

Sep. 1, 2009

Decision of the Ministry of Justice on Revising the Measures for the Administration of Associations Formed by Hong Kong SAR-based Law Firms or Macao SAR-based Law Firms and Mainland Law Firms

For the purpose of promoting a closer economic and trade relationship between the mainland of China and Hong Kong and Macao, in accordance with the Supplementary Agreement to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement VI and the Supplementary Agreement to the Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement VI approved by the State Council, the Measures for the Administration of Associations Formed by Hong Kong SAR-based Law Firms or Macao SAR-based Law Firms and Mainland Law Firms have been revised as follows:

I.          New provisions shall be added in Article 6 as Paragraph 2, providing: “A mainland law firm that has been established for one year and domiciled in Guangdong and has at least one founder of over 5-year practice experience may apply for association.”

     The original Paragraph 2 shall be revised as Paragraph 3.

II.       New provisions shall be added in Article 7 as Paragraph 3, providing: “A mainland law firm that applies for association in accordance with Paragraph 2 of Article 6 herein shall submit the proving documents concerning its founder of over 5-year practice experience.”

     The original Paragraph 3 shall be revised as Paragraph 4.

III.     This Decision shall enter into force on Oct. 1, 2009.

The Measures for the Administration of Associations Formed by Hong Kong SAR-based Law Firms or Macao SAR-based Law Firms and Mainland Law Firm (promulgated as No. 3 Decree of the Ministry of Justice and revised as No. 100, 106 and 109 Decree of the Ministry of justice) shall be revised accordingly in line with this Decision and re-promulgated.