The municipal government of Shenzhen City, one of the pioneers in China's ongoing reform and opening up drive, recently took a new step in government reforms by issuing a decree on the duties of government-employed lawyers.
In May 2002, a legal advisory office was opened to handle legal affairs and lawsuits involving the city government.
According to the new decree, Rules on the Work of the Legal Advisory Office of the People's Government of Shenzhen City, government lawyers can offer opinions on the government's major decisions, administrative activities and contracts.
They also represent the city government in negotiations to settle major disputes. The advisory office has the final say on the employment of overseas lawyers by the city government.
The decree also says that the leading official of a government body involving in a law case has to attend the court.
(Xinhua News Agency July 15, 2003)
