The Shanghai Justice Bureau will set up a database recording complaints filed against some 6,000 local lawyers and notaries public to improve the quality of legal services in the city.
Any violating of industry regulations will be recorded by the system, which will be completed by year-end, bureau officials said yesterday. Members of the public will be able to access the database over the Internet when choosing a lawyer.
"Because of some lawyers' irregular behavior, some residents and companies have a negative view of the industry. We want to build up a new image through self-regulation," said Liu Fuyuan of the Shanghai Bar Association, which is working with the bureau on the project.
The association issued vocational guidelines to its members in May and is drafting detailed regulations for the industry.
The association received around 100 complaints about lawyers providing bad service last year and one barrister had his membership revoke for a serious violation of legal regulations, said Liu.
Most complaints were about lawyers overcharging clients, not fulfilling their duties, rushing for clients by carelessly promising to win a case and conducting illegal competition, officials said.
The new project was praised by local residents who believe it will help them to choose a competent lawyer if the need arises.
"At present, most people just hire a lawyer through a friend's introduction or their fame. If there is a recording system, I will consult it before I make a decision," said Liu Yuan, a white-collar worker.
Lawyers said the system will put pressure on them to improve their performance, but many doubt it will be effective.
"Some lawyers reach under-ground agreements with clients, promising to refund some service fees if he or she doesn't win a case. As a result, if there's any irregular practice, the client won't report it to the authorities and record in the system," said Gong Zhenghua, a lawyer with the Shanghai Chengda Law Firm.
If the system does work, the bureau will also connect it to the city's personal credit system to report any financial irregularities.
"At that time, bad performance will not only hamper a lawyer's business, but also their private plans to buy real estate or an automobile," said a justice bureau official.
（Shanghai Daily September 18, 2003）
