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II. The Status Quo and Basis of Cooperation of Hong Kong Legal Practitioners in the GBA

of Hong Kong. To strengthen the implementation of international standards, they propose setting up a special

working group and the implementation of clear annual audit review arrangements. They also recommend the
establishment of committees within the lawyers’ associations to improve the effectiveness and transparency of

the legal profession, and to ensure that the legal services in the GBA meet international standards.

(c) Objective conditions for legal service cooperation

First, setting up offices in the Mainland or partnership associations with Mainland lawyers can bring many

benefits. The most obvious advantage is that it can strengthen the connections with Mainland lawyers, which
helps to establish regular communication channels and deepen the cooperation with Mainland lawyers. It would

also promote the sharing and learning of professional knowledge through organising legal seminars and training
courses. Secondly, it expands the service scope and client base, tapping into the Mainland business segment.

Setting up offices or partnership associations not only help open up new service areas such as Mainland mergers
and acquisitions and legal consultations, to provide more comprehensive legal services, it also facilitates Hong

Kong law firms to formulate marketing strategies, increase exposure in the Mainland, grasp Chinese culture and
business etiquette and attract more potential Mainland clients. Moreover, for Hong Kong law firms accustomed

to using Cantonese and English as working languages, setting up a Chinese service team removes the
communication barrier and improves efficiency in communicating with Mainland clients. Lastly, through gaining

in-depth understanding of the characteristics and trends of the Mainland legal service market, Hong Kong law
firms will gradually adjust their business strategies in a timely manner, which is conducive to adapting to the

Mainland legal market.

2.3.2 Make full use of competitive advantages and strengthen communication and
exchanges

(a) Mutual assistance between GBA and Hong Kong law firms

For Hong Kong law firms, setting up offices and partnership associations in the GBA will facilitate cross-
referral of business between GBA and Hong Kong law firms. It allows exploration of strategic cooperation and

the establishment of mutually beneficial relationships with Mainland law firms to achieve win-win situations in
business ventures, and can provide targeted training on new types of legal services for GBA lawyers, especially

in financial technology, intellectual property such as in artwork trading, and maritime law. The advantages of
Hong Kong legal practitioners include possessing extensive professional knowledge and practical experience,

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