13 February 2023
On 13 February 2023, the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province issued the "Implementation Measures for Pilot Program of Establishing Sino-foreign Joint Venture Law Firms in Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Cooperation Zone" ("the Measures"). The Measures clarified that the term "Joint Venture" refers to a Chinese law firm and a foreign law firm jointly operate in accordance with the rights and obligation of agreement in Qianhai Cooperation Zone and provide legal services to Chinese and foreign clients respectively, including application of Chinese and foreign laws, cross-border and international legal affairs. To be eligible for establishing a joint venture law firm, a foreign law firm shall be legally established in its home country, have not violated professional ethics and practice disciplines, and have set up a representative office in Guangdong Province for more than 3 years. The Measures will come into force on 14 March 2023 and be valid for 3 years.