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Author: Source: Date of publication: March 2, 2006 Number of visitors: 8 font size: large, medium and small
1On July 5th, 983, Shekou Law Firm, the first law firm in China, was born in a two-story building by the sea in Shekou, Shenzhen. Twenty-two years later, Shekou Law Firm has become a milestone in the history of Shenzhen lawyers, and has also opened a brand-new future for China's lawyer system. However, few people can tell how Shekou Law Firm was founded and how many stories are behind it. To this end, our reporter found Yao Feng, the first lawyer of Shekou Law Firm, and listened to his story behind the establishment of Shekou Law Firm.
Yao Feng is over 70 years old and still lives in a quiet community in Shekou. Speaking of the past, the old man came to talk.
The first lawyer was established in Shekou.
1979 10, Comrade Deng Xiaoping drew a circle in Shekou, Shenzhen, which became the first experimental field of China's reform and opening up. After entering the 1980s, Shekou ushered in the peak of attracting investment, and various enterprises blossomed everywhere. Shekou has become a fertile land full of vitality in China.
However, with the increase of foreign investment, many problems have emerged. At that time, Shenzhen signed a contract with foreign businessmen and needed lawyers to testify, but there was no real law firm in Shenzhen at that time. Many contracts must be signed in Hong Kong law firms.
At this time, Guo, a veteran cadre of China Merchants in Hong Kong, found Xue, director of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Justice who was investigating in Shenzhen at that time. It is suggested that Xue set up a law firm in Shekou Industrial Zone, Shenzhen. Later, Xue found someone who had worked with him and asked for his advice. Lawyer Yao Feng said that there was no problem in setting up a law firm in Shenzhen. Subsequently, the preparatory work for the first law firm in China was strongly supported by the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Justice at that time. On July 5th, 1983, Shekou Law Firm, the first law firm in China, was formally established, which is located near the Seaview Square on Prince Road in Shekou.
Lawyers support a law firm.
At the beginning of the establishment of Shekou Law Firm, the business was not smooth. Zeng Bohua and Mai Zongju, two lawyers from Shenzhen Legal Advisory Office, happened to be studying in other places, and Yao Feng was the only old lawyer in Shenzhen.
What's more, there are only four people in Shekou Law Firm: one person in charge, one typist, one English translator, and only one lawyer is Yao Feng. The law firm has been open for a month and nobody cares. In addition, Yao Feng also works in a real estate company in the industrial zone. The leader of the real estate company only allows Yao Feng to work in a law firm twice a week. Finally, the rental business of a Hong Kong-funded company became the first business of Shekou Law Firm.
With the establishment of Shekou Law Firm, Shenzhen Law Firm and Shenzhen Foreign Economic Law Firm were also established in the same year. In the second year of its establishment, Shekou Law Firm purchased a 386 computer for computer management. This is very rare in the whole country.
Sign a contract and argue with Singapore lawyers
Speaking of his early work, Lao Feng still remembers the experience of arguing with Singaporean lawyers about contracts.
At that time, a Singapore private joint-stock company cooperated with Nanshan Investment Company to develop Chiwan Oil Terminal, and the contract was drafted by Singapore. A few days before signing the contract, the staff of Nanshan Investment Company showed the contract to lawyer Yao Feng. At first glance, Yao Feng lawyers found that many clauses in the contract were unfavorable to China, but basically favorable to Singapore. Lawyer Yao Feng immediately suggested that Nanshan Investment Company postpone the signing of the contract and redraft the articles of association. Then he undertook the task of redrafting the contract.
After the contract came out, the Singapore company sent a lawyer, and the lawyer raised two questions about the contract drafted by lawyer Yao Feng: first, why do Singapore companies have to refer to the laws of China instead of Singapore or international law when investing in China; Second, the contract is controversial. Why did you choose Stockholm, Sweden for arbitration? In this regard, lawyer Yao Feng put forward the Chinese reasons. He told lawyers in Singapore that according to international law, Singaporean companies investing in China are located in the territory of China and should be governed by the laws of the investing countries. Secondly, the arbitration institution in Stockholm, Sweden has a good international reputation, and choosing a third country for arbitration can ensure objectivity and fairness. Lawyer Yao Feng's answer left Singaporean lawyers speechless. Singapore immediately signed the contract drafted by China in less than two hours.
Twenty-two years have passed, and the contract drafted by lawyer Yao Feng has not caused any controversy. So far, the cooperation between China and Singapore has been very smooth. From 65438 to 0986, the notary business in Shenzhen was separated from the lawyer business, and lawyer Yao Feng became the first notary in China until his retirement.