Shanghai Issues First Certificate For Foreign Legal Consultant

​Raymond Ong, a Singaporean lawyer, receives Shanghai's first certificate for a foreign legal consultant. [Photo/thepaper.cn]

Shanghai has awarded its first certificate for a foreign legal consultant under a new pilot policy that allows local law firms to hire foreign lawyers in advisory roles.

Singaporean lawyer Raymond Ong received the certificate on Dec 5 at the 13th Lujiazui Legal Forum, which brought together legal experts, industry leaders, and government officials to discuss strengthening legal safeguards for Chinese companies investing abroad.

Ong said the move reflects China's growing openness and predicted that domestic Chinese law firms will play an increasingly significant role on the international stage.

At the forum, Shanghai also granted its first joint venture license between a Hong Kong law firm and a mainland law firm.

Gu Quan, director of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice, emphasized that high-quality foreign-related legal services are crucial for Shanghai's role as a gateway for Chinese companies going global.

The justice bureau will prioritize cultivating top-tier law firms and arbitration institutions, expanding overseas layouts, and deepening talent pools to bolster legal cooperation, Gu said.