Free law service for expats launched

Shekou Management and Service Center for Expats (MSCE) officially initiated a free legal consulting service for expats Friday.

This will be a weekly event where expats in Shenzhen can consult with lawyers over a variety of issues, such as labor disputes with employers, contracts with landlords or housing agents and requirements for starting businesses in China.

Lawyers from Guanghe Law Firm will offer the free one-to-one service.

At the inaugural activity Friday, Xiong Daikun, head of the International Business Committee of Guanghe Law Firm, offered four expats legal consultations on starting up micro businesses, international marriages and inheritance, and one’s tax identity under the new individual income tax law. Xiong is also a deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Guangdong Lawyers Association.

This free consulting service is an essential part of the 2019 annual service blueprint of the Shekou MSCE, aiming to maintain expats’ legal rights and help them avoid unnecessary losses due to lack of knowledge about Chinese laws, according to Yang Yan, head of the Shekou MSCE.

Expats must register by noon Thursday for an appointment between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. the following Friday. Each consultation lasts a maximum of 30 minutes.

Expats can scan the QR code at the end of the story to make an appointment for a consultation this Friday.