The number of licensed lawyers in China stood at about 270,000 at the end of 2014 and is expected to reach 300,000 by the end of 2015, a statement released at a conference on the work on lawyers showed Thursday.
About 20,000 new lawyers have been added annually in recent years, according to the statement. Lawyers who work in more than 20,000 law firms in China handle more than 2.8 million lawsuits annually.
The statement described lawyers as an important force for the rule of law and economic and social development, but stressed that levels of professionalism were not sufficient.
Among the 8.5 million civil and commercial cases settled annually, less than one fourth are entrusted to lawyers.
The statement said the drive to advance the rule of law has presented an new chance for the lawyers.
