Free legal services to help private firms prevent risks, improve governance

Local judicial administrations and bar associations across China are to set up legal teams to provide free services to private enterprises this year, the Ministry of Justice said on Wednesday.

"The national activity is aimed at meeting enterprises' needs, safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests, and helping them improve their governance structures," said Zhou Yuansheng, a senior ministry official.

The move will also help prevent legal risks, resolve disputes, and improve operation, management and decision-making based on rule of law, as well as provide solid legal protection for the development of the private economy, he added.

Zhou said local judicial organs and bar associations will formulate specific plans and set up teams of lawyers to provide companies with one-on-one services.

Lawyers will need to understand a company's legal governance before analyzing its specific needs, risks and weaknesses, and for issues that can be solved immediately, lawyers will offer counseling and advice, according to the ministry.

For more complex problems, the teams will make suggestions based on a professional perspective to help companies prefect their governance structure and strengthen their risk prevention capabilities.

After completing the services, lawyers will provide feedback to companies and their associations. Local judicial organs and associations will analyze the feedback and draft a comprehensive report including opinions and suggestions, which will serve as a reference for policymakers.

Zhou said the lawyers can do their jobs through various methods, including field visits and discussions, or use information technology to conduct remote and online consultations to increase service efficiency and coverage.

Judicial organs and bar associations at all levels should work closely and proactively with industrial and commercial organizations to jointly carry out special services if needed, he said.

He said all participating parties should learn from experience and strive to establish a long-term system so that lawyers can contribute more to deepening China's rule of law and promoting development of the private economy.

"The time for this event is tight and the task is heavy," Zhou said. "The ministry will guide relevant organs and pay close attention to the implementation to effectively improve the execution of work and achieve tangible results."

Zhang Yan contributed to this story.