Can the same law firm represent both the plaintiff and the defendant?

The same law firm cannot represent both the original defendant and the defendant in the same case, which is a standard conflict of interest situation. Different lawyers from the same law firm may not simultaneously serve as the victim's agent and the criminal suspect or defendant's defender in the same criminal case, and may not establish or maintain a client relationship with the client, unless there is only one law firm in the county and they have obtained prior consent. Except with the consent of the parties concerned. Lawyers cannot act as agents for both parties in the same case, nor can they represent legal matters that conflict with the interests of the person or his close relatives. Lawyers and law firms may not establish or maintain a client relationship with a client.

Legal Basis

Article 50 of the Code of Conduct for Lawyers

Under any of the following circumstances, lawyers and law firms shall not establish or maintain an entrustment with the client Relationship:

(1) A lawyer serves as an agent for both parties in the same case, or represents a legal matter that conflicts with the interest of the lawyer or his close relatives.

(2) Different lawyers from the same law firm serve as the victim’s agent and the criminal suspect or defendant’s defender in the same criminal case, but there is only one law firm in the county and the parties have been consulted in advance. Except with consent;

(3) In civil litigation, administrative litigation, or arbitration cases, different lawyers from the same law firm serve as agents for both parties to the dispute at the same time, or the firm or its staff is one of the parties , other lawyers of the firm serve as the agent of the other party;

(4) In non-litigation business, lawyers from the same law firm also serve as agents of interested parties, except where the parties entrust each other;

(5) After the client relationship is terminated, the same law firm or the same lawyer accepts the other party's client in subsequent trials or handling of the same case.

Article 34 of the Lawyers Law of the People's Republic of China

A lawyer may not represent both parties in the same case.

Article 39: A lawyer shall not serve as an agent for both parties in the same case, and shall not act as an agent in legal matters that conflict with the interests of the lawyer himself or his close relatives.