Xiaoshan recently announced the launch of the region's first legal services centre. Xiaoshan is in Zhejiang province and is the most economically developed administrative district of Hangzhou.

The centre is an initiative by local government authorities to facilitate the provision of legal services to business. The typical business in the region is small to medium sized, and lacks in-house legal expertise. The new centre is intended to provide such businesses with reliable information so they can choose the appropriate legal services provider. This initiative is expected to be beneficial as the legal market can be confusing owing to the plethora of law firms, many of which do not have an established, trustworthy reputation.

Founded by the Hangzhou Bureau of Justice, the centre utilises more than 120 registered lawyers from 27 firms, including Rosen, Havins & Gu from the US, Woo Kwan Lee & Lo and Robertsons from Hong Kong. The other 24 firms are leading local firms, such as Zhong Lun, Grandall and JT&N.

Lawyers on the centre's list mainly focus on providing legal services relating to finance, corporate, intellectual property, real estate, international trade & investment, and dispute resolutions. They are grouped in 12 teams, according to their practice areas. With the registration of 106 member companies on the opening day, the centre is well on its way to bridging the gap between lawyers and companies.

In the coming year, more law firms and companies are expected to apply for membership of the centre, according to the government officer in charge.