Attack prompts fresh approach by officials

"Thanks to the efforts of several lawyers associations and judicial officers, I avoided threats to my personal safety, and my case was handled quickly," said Gu Qingdong, a lawyer in Beijing.

According to the All China Lawyers Association, Gu and a colleague, Wang Zhiwei, were assaulted by about 20 men this month as they returned to their hotel during a case at Hubei Provincial Intermediate People's Court in Jinmen city.

Gu sustained head injuries as he was beaten and knocked to the ground. The two lawyers were then threatened with shovels before being bundled into a car where they were smothered with sheets and bags.