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IV. Demand for Legal Services in the GBA

IV. Demand for Legal Services in the GBA

4.1 The status of GBA lawyers providing legal services in the Mainland

4.1.1 Case participation by GBA lawyers

(a) GBA lawyers involved in relatively small number of cases with types of cases mostly
related to foreign-related Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan factors

As of 23 November 2023, a total of 372 GBA lawyers have obtained the Lawyer’s License (GBA). 46
However, from the interviews with the relevant authorities, it is learned that the number of cases in the Mainland

in which GBA lawyers are involved in is still relatively small, and the types of cases involved are mostly cases
related to foreign-related Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan factors.

In terms of the judiciary, take Guangzhou and Shenzhen, the first-tier cities in the GBA, as examples, according
to the relevant data from the Guangzhou Intermediate People’s Court, in judicial practice, GBA lawyers are

involved in a relatively small number of local cases, while there is involvement of GBA lawyers in foreign-related
cases. According to incomplete statistics, among the local cases handled by the Guangzhou Intermediate People’s

Court, there is currently no involvement of GBA lawyers, and for foreign-related cases, less than 10 involve GBA
lawyers. According to the information provided by the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court, there are about

5,000 first-instance cases involving foreign-related civil and commercial matters in Hong Kong, Macao and
Taiwan each year in the Shenzhen area. Only one case is currently represented by a GBA lawyer. Whether a case

requires the involvement of a GBA lawyer is mainly the choice of the parties concerned. Considering that most of
the GBA lawyers are still adapting to the laws, regulations and judicial environment of the Mainland, the lawyers

representing most of the Mainland cases at present are still Mainland lawyers, and GBA lawyers are only required
in a small number of cases that require litigation or enforcement by Hong Kong courts.

46 State Council Information Office, PRC press conference, November 23, 2023: Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area portal,
https://www.cnbayarea.org.cn/news/focus/content/post_1142365.html

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