Two Lawyers’Requests to Review Records of Industry and Commerce Bureau Rejected

• Author: Li Li et al

Attorney Duan Wanjin of the Xi’an branch of Beijing Da Cheng Law Firm and Attorney Wu Guangtao of Shanxi Fu Neng Law Firm, who handled the same case jointly, requested to review records of the Industry and Commerce Bureau to collect evidence for their client. On October 24, they were rejected by the State Administration of Industry and Commerce on the ground that there had not been any related case filed with any court.

Duan alleged that this decision violated Article 35 of the Lawyers Law. That Article permits lawyers to investigate and obtain evidence without any court order. With lawyer’s license and reference letter from law firm, a lawyer is entitled to visit related government agencies or individuals to investigate in any matters related to his case at hand. At present, Duan had filed a...