China to reform professional title system for public legal service specialists

China will reform the professional title system for its public legal service specialists, according to a recent guideline jointly released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the Ministry of Justice.

The guideline identifies public legal service specialists, especially notaries and judicial authenticators, as a vital force in the establishment of socialist rule of law in China.

The guideline specifies that all public legal service specialists fall into two categories of notaries and judicial authenticators, each of which is divided into three professional levels – preliminary, medium and senior. The senior professional title contains two levels, i.e. associate senior and full senior, according to the guideline.

The guideline allows local authorities to set up new categories such as legal aid workers and arbitrators based on local conditions.

Applicants' real competence and contributions, rather than their academic achievements, educational background or seniority, will be given more attention in the certification process, according to the guideline.

The guideline also lowers the requirements for notaries and judicial authenticators who have made significant contributions to promoting the rule of law or worked in remote areas for a long time, high-level talents with overseas experience, and talents in high demand.