New regulations issued to protect rights of attorneys

China's national association of lawyers unveiled a set of regulations on Friday to better protect the legal rights of lawyers and strictly regulate their behavior to ensure the healthy development of the profession.

The regulations include an amendment to lawyers' professional code of conduct, an amendment to the punishment rules and a new regulation on the protection of lawyers' rights, according to the All China Lawyers Association.

The new rules make clear that lawyers can directly report any violation of their legal rights - including the rights to meet suspects, collect evidence, read files, make appeals and file complaints - to the local branches of the lawyers association, and these reports must be accepted and handled.