China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC) has established a new Lawyers’ Liaison Office within its Research Office, marking the first time China’s court system has created a dedicated body to manage lawyer-related affairs. The initiative is designed to streamline coordination on matters involving legal practitioners, enhance the protection of their professional rights, and strengthen the judicial safeguarding of human rights.
The new office will serve as a primary bridge between the judiciary, the legal profession, and relevant government departments. Its mandate includes researching policies to safeguard lawyers’ interests, refining institutional mechanisms, and addressing specific concerns referred by lawyers’ associations.
According to the SPC Research Office, the liaison office will also conduct joint research and specialized discussions with the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Justice, and the All-China Lawyers Association. These efforts aim to encourage lawyers to practice ethically and in strict accordance with the law while raising overall professional standards.
Courts at all levels have been directed to fully support lawyers in carrying out their duties, maintain open channels for rights remedies, and implement practical measures to protect lawyers’ rights and uphold judicial fairness.
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