This guide provides essential information to foreign law firms in Hainan on applying for a license for a joint venture firm with a Chinese law firm in Hainan.

Basic requirements (for Chinese law firms)
The firm must have been established for at least three years.

The firm must be organized in a partnership form.

The firm must employ no fewer than 20 full-time practicing lawyers.

The firm must possess strong legal service capabilities and have standardized internal management.

The firm must not have received any administrative penalties or industry sanctions within three years before the application.

The firm must be based in Hainan — or if based in another province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the central government — have already established a branch in Hainan.

Basic requirements (for foreign law firms)
The firm must have established a representative office in Hainan for at least three years, or in other cities within China for at least three years and must have also established a representative office in Hainan.

The representative office must not have received any administrative penalties from Chinese regulatory authorities within three years before the application.

Required materials
1. Written application;
2. Profile of the Chinese law firm;
3. Profile of the foreign law firm;
4. A copy of the practicing license of the Chinese law firm;
5. A copy of the practicing license of the foreign law firm;
6. Joint venture agreement.

Where to submit your application
Authority: Hainan Provincial Department of Justice
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am-noon and 2:30 pm-5:30 pm (except public holidays)
Contact: 0898-65203043
Click here for more details.