On July 4, the Legal Daily published a report titled "They Are Affectionately Called 'Pian'er Lü' by the Masses—A Glimpse of Guangdong Lawyers' Voluntary Services in Communities" (see attachment; published on Legal Network on July 3 as "Guangdong Lawyers' Community Voluntary Services Make Them 'Pian'er Lü' in the Eyes of the Masses"), written by reporters Deng Xinjian and Deng Jun. The article highlights the advanced deeds of lawyers from Zhiming Law Firm, led by Director Wang Tengfeng, who have participated in the "Legal Services into Communities" campaign in five communities under Yantian Street, Yantian District, for many years, persistently providing free legal services to the public. It reflects the spirit of Guangdong lawyers actively fulfilling their duties as socialist legal workers and voluntarily serving community residents.

The article, over 2,300 characters, is divided into three parts: 1) Legal Education: Tailoring education to needs, 2) Stability Maintenance: Stationing representatives to mediate, and 3) Services: Promises etched in residents' hearts. Using a plain narrative style, it panoramically depicts the touching scenes of Zhiming lawyers entering communities: Old Man He's folk song praising the lawyers, the popular legal education bulletin boards, the selfless dedication of lawyers like Wang Tengfeng, Zeng Jianming, Wu Jinsong, and Cao Guanghui, and the high praise from Deputy Director Diao of Yantian District Justice Bureau and Director Huang of Yantian Street Judicial Office. It vividly records the words and deeds of Zhiming lawyers serving the public and the harmonious atmosphere of community governance under the rule of law.

On May 26, the article's authors accompanied Secretary-General Ye Gang of the Provincial Lawyers Association to Zhiming Law Firm for research and interviews. From Zhiming Law Firm, Yantian District Justice Bureau, and the street judicial office to the communities, they conducted in-depth interviews with multiple relevant lawyers, officials, and residents, gathering a wealth of firsthand material. Deeply moved by the dedication of Zhiming lawyers, they finally produced this excellent article with detailed content, vivid narration, appropriate commentary, and literary flair. After its publication in the Legal Daily, the article was republished by over 20 websites, including the Ministry of Justice, China Legal Education Network, Legal Network, Hubei Provincial Justice Department, Phoenix Net, Sina, Sohu, China Human Rights, Guangdong Political and Legal Network, Henan Peace Network, China Lawyers Network, Rizhao Lawyers Association, Beilun Government Legal Network, China Legal Information Network, Legal Consultation Network, Legal World, Zhonglv Network, Hebei Tianxun, Legal Star-China Lawyers, Anhui Antaida Law Firm, Daocheng Commercial Law Network, and Network Information Radar Network. The praise from higher authorities, coverage by national authoritative newspapers, and attention from online media serve as encouragement and motivation for Zhiming lawyers, who will continue to root themselves in communities and gladly contribute to the people.

Attachment: Full text of "They Are Affectionately Called 'Pian'er Lü' by the Masses—A Glimpse of Guangdong Lawyers' Voluntary Services in Communities"

They Are Affectionately Called "Pian'er Lü"

—A Glimpse of Guangdong Lawyers' Voluntary Services in Communities

Legal Daily reporters Deng Xinjian and Deng Jun, Legal Daily, July 4, 2010

"First sing of lawyers entering the community, community lawyers are so capable, serving at my doorstep, bringing joy to the masses; second sing of lawyers entering the community, explaining laws and analyzing details, we listen and know right from wrong, no mistakes in future actions..."

In a corner of Yantian Street Community in Yantian District, Shenzhen, residents are gathered around Hakka folk song master Uncle He, humming their self-composed Hakka folk song "Ten Sings of Lawyers Entering the Community," recounting their experiences since the stationed lawyers arrived. Uncle He told reporters he is very familiar with the service lawyers in this area, and the lyrics of this folk song aptly reflect their work. Moved by the lawyers' dedication, he especially enjoys singing this song in his spare time.

Ye Gang, Secretary-General of the Guangdong Lawyers Association, told reporters that in recent years, the Guangdong Lawyers Association has organized volunteer service activities for lawyers entering communities. These lawyers have played a significant role in meeting the legal needs of community residents, improving their legal awareness, and promoting law-based governance in communities.

Legal Education: Targeted Education Based on Needs

At the Cultural Square on Yantian Street, several residents are carefully reading a legal education bulletin board with text and images. What caught the reporter's attention was that below the bulletin board, there were personal profiles, contact information, and photos of two service lawyers.

It is not new for police officers in local police stations to be publicly known, but it is the first time I have seen lawyers providing free legal services, with their introductions and contact information posted on the wall, affectionately called "neighborhood lawyers" by the public.

Community lawyers conduct targeted legal education for residents based on their cultural characteristics and legal needs. In March 2007, when the Property Law was enacted, coinciding with local old village demolition and renovation, lawyers from Zhiming Law Firm immediately organized special lectures, consultations, and publicity columns to educate community residents on the new Property Law regulations, accelerating the old village demolition and renovation process.

During an interview, I learned about the following: In recent years, the Yantian District Government, to implement Shenzhen's "district-port linkage" and "port-driven city strengthening" development strategies, has optimized and integrated the limited land resources in the rear land area of Yantian Port. Several natural villages in Yantian Street are included in the overall relocation or old village renovation plans.

"Through visiting residents, we found that some are unwilling to leave the places where their ancestors lived, some have objections to demolition compensation, and some have property disputes that are difficult to resolve quickly, greatly affecting the progress of relocation and renovation. The community neighborhood committee cadres are anxious about this," said stationed lawyer Zeng Jianming.

A relevant official from Yantian Street Office told reporters that with the involvement of stationed lawyers, the old city demolition and renovation work is now proceeding quite smoothly, with active cooperation from residents.

Maintaining stability: Stationed agents intervene in mediation.

"Lawyers have not only taught residents to abide by the law but also resolved a large number of community conflicts, especially some major group disputes." Diao Pizhe, Deputy Director of the Yantian District Bureau of Justice, said with deep feeling to the reporter, citing the locally influential "Wutongshan Incident" as a very representative example.

Due to tourists driving on Yantian's Wutong Mountain, which does not meet municipal road standards, a major traffic accident occurred resulting in the deaths of all four passengers. The Yantian District Government planned to issue a traffic restriction notice, banning tourism business activities on the mountain. The contractor of the Wutong Mountain Economic Service Corporation, which had invested heavily in development, along with other tourism operators on Wutong Mountain, strongly opposed this, stating that the government's forced issuance of the notice was a serious breach of the contract, and they threatened to take necessary measures in response to the government's action.

"This case was extremely tricky. At a coordination meeting attended by relevant government departments, corporate leaders, and social representatives, the tourism investment operators spoke vehemently and strongly opposed it, creating a tense and heavy atmosphere," said Wang Tengfeng, director of the Zhiming Law Firm, who was invited by the Yantian District Government to participate in mediation. He noted that if the mediation of this case was not thorough or the situation worsened, it would harm the local government's credibility, social harmony and stability, and the actual interests of the business operators.

"The national constitution and major basic laws all explicitly state that national interests and social public interests are above all else. When 'individual interests' conflict with 'collective interests,' according to the law, one should sacrifice the individual to protect the collective, to uphold the government's lawful administration and safeguard social interests and stability." With reasoned, evidence-based, and forceful detailed analysis, and an impartial attitude, the contractor who suffered losses was convinced and accepted Wang Tengfeng's legal opinion. Both parties reconciled through negotiation, and the next day, the Yantian District Government smoothly issued the traffic restriction notice.

Huang Yizhen, Director of the Yantian Street Judicial Office, also had a special insight: "In some matters, especially those involving group incidents, when government staff step in to mediate, the public often resists or believes they are favoring one side. Lawyers, appearing as neutral parties with no conflict of interest with any side, can persuade the parties involved based on legal principles and empathy, quickly resolving conflicts. From my understanding, none of the cases handled or mediated by stationed lawyers have resulted in losses or disputes."

Service: Commitments are remembered in the hearts of residents.

At a time when the vast majority of ordinary Chinese people still cannot enjoy one-on-one legal services, thanks to the "neighborhood lawyers," residents of Yantian Street can now receive attentive "private lawyer" services right at their doorstep.

Just as he was about to leave for a client meeting, lawyer Zeng Jianming received an urgent call for help from Yangang Community. He immediately communicated with the client, obtained consent to postpone the meeting, and rushed to the community to provide legal consultation. Starting at 5 p.m., after more than five hours of guidance and mediation by lawyer Wu Jinsong, a family dispute over elder support was successfully resolved, and the family's faces regained their usual smiles. After finishing legal consultations with the public, lawyer Yu Hesheng learned that a disabled person with mobility issues needed advice. He immediately asked community officials to guide him to the person's home to provide answers, once again returning home in the twilight.

Cao Guanghui, one of the most senior and longest-serving lawyers from Zhiming Law Firm since its participation in the "Legal Services into Communities" initiative, has become a community "celebrity." Walking through the neighborhood, he is frequently greeted by residents. The reporter learned that his services have expanded from legal needs to consultation and mediation, and many residents even seek him out to discuss personal matters such as job decisions and children's education.

In response, Cao Guanghui, far from finding it burdensome, told the reporter with delight: "As long as it's a call or meeting request from community members, I will arrange it as best I can. If I'm too busy, I can even turn down some paid routine cases. Because my commitment to serving residents is posted on the wall and etched in people's hearts."

Guo Tianxi, who is usually responsible for communication between Zhiming Law Firm and the community, spoke emotionally about these years of work: "People say lawyers put profit first, but I don't see it that way. Whether they are senior lawyers with high incomes or young lawyers with fewer cases and lower earnings, they not only disregard personal gains and losses but also spare no effort in serving the community. I am deeply moved by this."

Source: Legal Daily via Legal Network

(Editor: Li Meiqi)