Policy to help firms hire foreign lawyers

Shanghai is drafting guidelines that will allow local law firms to employ foreign attorneys, as the eastern metropolis aims to boost legal services for overseas investors, it was announced on Wednesday.

The city's Justice Bureau, which is drawing up the rules, said it is ironing out procedures for recruiting legal professionals from overseas and their qualification requirements.

"As an incentive, we may also provide policy support to assist expat lawyers in obtaining residence permits in Shanghai as well as receiving social welfare and social security," said Lu Weidong, director of the bureau.