China’s Ministry of Justice recently issued an announcement saying that pursuant to the Lawyers’ Law and the relevant regulations and normative documents, it had redesigned and printed a new version of practice licence for lawyers and law firms and decided to put the new-version licence into use with effect from 1 October 2009.

According to the announcement, provincial (regional and municipal) departments (bureaus) of justice that gave lawyers or law firms approval to start practice or have their licence renewed should issue them the new-version licence starting from 1 October. Practice licences already issued to lawyers and law firms must be replaced with the new version of licence before 31 December 2009.

The announcement said: During the period between 1 October and 31 December 2009, practice licences obtained by licence holders in accordance with law are valid credentials for practice whether they are in the old version or new. The old-version licence will no longer be valid after 1 January 2010. Specimens of the old and new versions of the licence may be viewed on the official website of the Ministry of Justice. The ministry reminds units and individuals concerned to distinguish genuine licences from fake ones and support lawyers in practising law in accordance with law.