Xinyang Law Firm from Guangdong Province has recently set up branches in Hong Kong after admitted by The Law Society of Hong Kong, according to the Guangdong Provincial Department of Justice September 4th.

Xinyang Law Firm's debut in Hong Kong supported by the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and approved by the central government and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on June 29, 2003 is intended to reinforce economic ties and ease trade channels.

The new branch will conduct legal consultation for both mainland investment in Hong Kong and Hong Kong investment in the mainland, according to the Legal Daily.

One hundred thousand yuan (US$12,600) was donated to the Guangdong Charity Federation during the opening ceremony in Hong Kong on September 1st. The donation was made to pay for the education of police officer's children whose parents died in the line of duty.

In order for mainland law firms to set up branches in Hong Kong, they must be established for at least four years, employ 20 full-time lawyers and have maintained a clean record for at least two years.

At present, many law firms in Guangdong Province have filed applications to stake out a place in the new market.