New regulation aims to push guidelines on lawyers

A provincial guideline on lawyers stirred a controversy in regulating lawyer's behavior when working on major cases. 

Northwest China's Shaanxi Lawyers Association issued a guideline to regulate lawyers' behavior on major cases on Tuesday, requiring lawyers to report to the local justice department or lawyers association within three working days when accepting a major case. 

The regulation also bans lawyers from publicizing opinions to intervene justice, including online messages and manipulating public opinion.

The guideline raises concerns among lawyers who see it as a gag order for all lawyers.

It also bans lawyers who are not involved in the cases to publicize opinions on major and sensitive cases. 

Si Weijiang, a lawyer based in Shanghai, said the gag order for lawyers who are not involved in the cases violates the right of free speech. 

But an anonymous lawyer says, "lawyers understand to work on cases according to the law. If attorneys break the law, they will be accused based on the law. The regulations issued by association are meaningless.

Some people misinterpret the regulation, saying it gags lawyers, however, to a certain point, the guidelines are necessary, which are able to instruct lawyers' behavior according to the law and ensure that lawyers respect professional ethnic code when deal with major and sensitive cases. "

An official who also chose to remain anonymous says, "some lawyers violate ethnic code or even commit crimes when deal with major and sensitive cases, including posting online messages disclose trial details and defendant and victim information, as well as stirring up group petition."

Cases involving lawyers violate regulations happened occasionally in recent years. 

In 2014, six lawyers involved in the high-profiling case of Li Tianyi, son of famous military singer Li Shuangjiang, received disciplinary punishment. 

Li, 18, was sentenced in 2013 to 10 years for gang rape. Before the trial, Li's lawyers posted online message claiming that Li was innocent and viewed the case as prostitution, which angered the complainant's attorney. The two sides later  debated online. Many details about the defendants and the victims were shown online, and some specific procedures of the trial were also released by the lawyers.

China's top authorities aim at improving mechanism on lawyers' practice and establishing a team of highly trained professional lawyers to implement law-based governance.   

Cao Yin contributed to the story.