The legal summit in Beijing focused on the practical development and the application of English and Chinese law in cross-border transactions and dispute resolution. Participants from the legal communities both in China and the UK attended the event.  Many of them are alumni or former mentors of the LCTS. Launched in 1989 and ended in 2011, the year-long training scheme was administered by the Law Society and the Bar Council of England and Wales. Each year, it brought 15 budding Chinese lawyers to the UK to gain experience in law firms and barristers’ chambers, and develop deeper understanding of English common law, commercial litigation, and legal practice management. Many of these lawyers have since become leaders in domestic and international law firms, serving as highly respected advisers in areas such as foreign investment, high-stake international disputes, and Chinese companies’ overseas expansions.

At the summit, keynote speeches were delivered by an array of distinguished guests, included Richard Atkinson, president of The Law Society of England and Wales; Wang Qingyou, vice president of the All-China Lawyers Association; and international arbitration expert Adrian Hughes KC, former chairman of the UK-China Law Council and a member of the advisory board of the University of Oxford’s The Belt and Road Institution. 

Atkinson pointed out that the legal industry is a key pillar in the UK’s economy, and it is increasingly international. Around 13,000 of the 200,000 solicitors qualified in England and Wales are now working abroad, creating value globally by assisting companies in expanding and supporting international trade.  He said that English law has been adopted as the governing law for a substantial number of cross-border transactions and disputes, with the export of English legal services reaching a record of £9.5bn in 2023. Looking to the future of the legal profession and the UK-China collaboration, Atkinson highlighted that the Law Society welcomes the growing number of Chinese lawyers obtaining qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).

As an important part of the summit, a panel discussion explored the cutting-edge question of how to promote the application and practice of Chinese law in cross-border transactions and dispute resolution. Yang, who is qualified to practice law in China, England and Wales, and New York and is an alumna of the LCTS (2004-05), was one of the five speakers on the panel. Other speakers were David Wang, managing partner of AnJie Broad’s Nanjing office; Jonathan Chu, CMS’ Hong Kong partner and Beijing office chief representative; Ye Weina, partner of Herbert Smith Freehills’ joint operation firm Kewei; and Clare Pearson, DLA Piper’s international development director (Asia).  

The speakers shared their observations on the current status and application of Chinese law in cross-border trade, investment and dispute resolution, and identified several key challenges to its application in the international context. They also looked at possible situations and frameworks in which Chinese law can be adopted as the governing law or be very relevant even when English law or other law is applied. 

“As a beneficiary of the LCTS, I’ve gained a deeper understanding that England and Wales, especially London, is a real hub for international legal collaboration. Thornhill Legal has been launched in London to leverage the importance of English law in global trade and business, as well as London’s position as a hub for collaboration,” said Yang. 

“The LCTS has played an instrumental role in fostering collaboration between the legal professions in the UK and China in the most critical development era in China. The Law Society’s recent events in China send a strong signal of the importance of legal exchanges between the two countries, especially when facing all the headwinds nowadays. Enhanced cooperation, mutual learning, and the joint development of best legal practices require professional community building, in such a way, lawyers can meet the needs of cross-border trade and dispute resolution,” she said. 

As another key component of the dual celebration, an event themed around legal transformation in the age of AI was held in Shanghai. Atkinson delivered a keynote speech titled “The Law Society’s Work and Guidance on AI”, addressing pressing topics such as ethical standards for generative AI, the regulatory framework, data protection, and professional conduct. He also shared the Law Society’s latest strategies and practice guidance in promoting responsible and innovative application of AI. 

Following the keynote speech, a roundtable discussion on “Legal Transformation in the Age of AI” took place. The roundtable consisted of Atkinson and guests from the Shanghai Lawyers Association, leading law firms, and third-party institutions. Yang, who also founded Thornhill Academy, which is currently conducting a research project on AI and law, was invited to participate in the roundtable. 

The roundtable guests exchanged views on the opportunities and challenges posed by emerging technologies like AI for legal professionals, and how technology is transforming what lawyers do and how legal services are delivered. They also explored how AI technology can be effectively and ethically deployed in the fast-evolving field nowadays. 

As a leading expert with 25 years of experience in China-related cross-border legal practice, Yang frequently speaks at industry conferences and seminars. On 19 May, she was invited by the Jiangsu Wuxi Lawyers Association as a keynote speaker as part of a training event for lawyers in Wuxi, Jiangsu on cross-border legal services. 

Drawing on her extensive experience in international legal affairs, Yang’s presentation delved into the roles and functions of Chinese lawyers in cross-border legal services, emphasising their crucial role in bridging legal gaps between different jurisdictions.​

She then provided practical insights on how to screen and collaborate with reliable overseas partners, such as foreign law firms, and shared insightful case studies, illustrating practical challenges like fee structure, foreign exchange, tax and professional indemnity insurance. Yang suggested that effective best practice exploration could be achieved by professional community building.​

Yang also underscored the non-negotiable importance of compliance issues, using the UK as an example. She elaborated on the legal risks and regulatory requirements that lawyers must be aware of in cross-border transactions, stressing that essential compliance and integrity are the foundation for successful international legal practice. 

“I hope through this kind of discussions and exchanges, we can help drive the internationalisation of the Chinese legal profession, and promote best practice in cross-border legal services, while fostering growth and mutual understanding among Chinese professionals and their global counterparts and exploring opportunities to collaborate,” said Yang. 

Read more about the LCTS and its profound impact on participants, including Yuhua Yang of Thornhill Legal, read the article on The Lawyer Society’s website: Reflecting on UK-China legal ties | The Law Society