The approach of World Expo 2010, in particular, has made the need for internationally qualified lawyers more acute in Shanghai. Under the five-year cooperative agreement, Shanghai lawyers will have the opportunity to participate in training programs, delivered by English solicitors, on many key areas of international practice in Shanghai, and to study overseas through schemes sponsored by the SBA.

The agreement will also be beneficial for the UK solicitors’ firms. Paul Marsh, president of the LSEW, said that China will continue to attract investment despite the current economic climate and provide opportunities for the legal sector. For example, he said, as Chinese companies continue to expand internationally, the Law Society will inform lawyers in China of the UK’s role as the jurisdiction of choice for international dispute resolution.

“Our agreement with the Shanghai Bar will also assist solicitors’ firms to develop links with their Chinese counterparts that may well lead to new business opportunities in what is an important and growing regional legal centre,” said Marsh. The first joint activity for 2009, in March, will be a visit by a delegation of Shanghai shipping lawyers to the Law Society.

This year will also see the Shanghai Bar strengthening ties with legal professions in a number of other countries. Qiao indicated that a series of similar initiatives with law societies of other mature jurisdictions including Japan, Australia, Germany and the US will be established by the end of 2009.

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