Testimony Lawyer Ordered to Assume a Portion of Legal Liability

• Author: Du Fuhai

In late June 2008, prisoner Mr. Ye authorized a lawyer to bring a lawsuit against the law firm that had previously supplied him with testimony services. The lawsuit asked that the law firm be held liable and provide compensation for damages (including emotional distress damages) in the sum of 2,500,000 RMB.

In 2004, a company wanted to transfer a portion of its stock rights in Shanghai. Mr. Ye had planned to receive and absorb this business. On November 11, 2004, under testimony from the law firm, Ye and the company signed a contract. From this point forth, 38 stockholders paid Mr. Ye 1,476,000 RMB and acquired stock right cards for 410,000 stocks. In reality, the company did not exist and had absolutely no stock rights to sell or to transfer. In August 2006, the court found Mr. Ye guilty of illegal business activities and sentenced him to a five-year prison term as well as issuing him a fine.

The court believed that...