In order to further improve the professional level of civil and commercial litigation services and handle major and complex cases with high quality, and to promote the exchange and discussion of legal practice and theory within and outside the firm, on December 27, 2024, Longan (Guangzhou) Law Firm in Beijing officially established the Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases, and held a simple yet solemn inauguration ceremony.

Director Liu Xin of the Longan Guangzhou Management Committee and Lawyer Sha Yuchen, one of the founding partners of Longan Guangzhou, attended the event. Lawyer Ge Xiangrong, Deputy Director of the Longan Guangzhou Management Committee and Director of the Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases, gave an introduction to the center, while Lawyer Liao Junlian, a senior partner of Longan Guangzhou and senior advisor to the Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases, shared a special presentation. Lawyer Liu Yanfeng, Deputy Director and Secretary-General of the Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases of Longan Guangzhou, served as the host of the event. Many professionals from within and outside the firm also attended the event to witness the inauguration of the Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases of Longan Guangzhou.

Lawyer Liu Yanfeng

Partner of Longan Guangzhou, Deputy Director and Secretary-General of the Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases

Lawyer Liu Yanfeng explained that major and complex civil and commercial cases involve complex legal provisions and ambiguous facts, which require a high level of professional expertise from lawyers. At the same time, these cases are also related to the core interests of the parties involved, and have a profound impact on social stability and the legal system. In this context, in order to further develop its professional expertise, enhance market competitiveness, and integrate resources, Longan (Guangzhou) Law Firm in Beijing has officially established the Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases of Longan Guangzhou. We are very grateful to everyone for witnessing the inauguration of the research center.

Speech at the Event

Director Liu Xin

Director of the Longan Guangzhou Management Committee

Director Liu Xin of the Longan Guangzhou Management Committee delivered a speech at the event. Director Liu shared the motivations behind the establishment of the Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases from three key points. The first key point is “late arrival”. This initiative originated from an open discussion during the 2023 annual meeting. At that time, the main topic of discussion was the establishment of systems for handling major and complex cases. Due to various factors, this topic was put on hold, and it was finally implemented at the end of 2024. The second key point is “inclusiveness”. The Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases of Longan Guangzhou has just been established. To make the system a long-term mechanism, it requires a process of gradual improvement and integration. The research center needs to be treated with inclusiveness. The third key point is “fulfilling the mission”. It is hoped that this system will eventually become a distinctive feature of Longan Guangzhou, forming a long-term mechanism that benefits everyone and helps the firm’s business growth, while also improving the quality and efficiency of case handling. Finally, we wish the inauguration ceremony of the Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases of Longan Guangzhou a complete success.

Introduction to the Center

Lawyer Ge Xiangrong

Deputy Director of the Longan Guangzhou Management Committee, Director of the Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases, and Head of the Commercial Dispute Resolution Department

Lawyer Ge Xiangrong explained that the Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases of Longan Guangzhou aims to strengthen research in legal theory and practice, improve the level of legal services for complex civil and commercial cases, create a link between theory and practice, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, and share resources to handle complex civil and commercial cases with high quality and efficiency. It aims to create a brand for legal services for major and complex cases. The Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases is an open research institution, relying mainly on senior civil and commercial lawyers from Longan. Senior lawyers from the same field, professionals in the judicial field, legal experts and scholars from domestic and foreign institutions, and professionals from related industries are invited as senior advisors and researchers to join together. Then, Lawyer Ge introduced the organizational structure of the center and pointed out its functions and positioning. He mentioned that the Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases of Longan Guangzhou is both a theoretical research center, a case discussion platform, a business cooperation platform, a resource sharing mechanism, a business innovation platform, and a learning platform. Finally, Lawyer Ge shared the main activities of the research center, such as conducting business training and exchange activities, conducting theoretical research, organizing expert seminars, etc., and briefly explained the basic concepts of major and complex cases.

Inauguration Ceremony

Director Liu Xin of the Longan Guangzhou Management Committee, Lawyer Sha Yuchen, one of the founding partners of Longan Guangzhou, and Lawyer Ge Xiangrong, Director of the Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases, jointly unveiled the inauguration ceremony of the Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases of Longan Guangzhou. The guests present applauded warmly, expressing their congratulations on the establishment of the Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases.

Presentation of Letters of Appointment

After the inauguration ceremony, Director Liu Xin of the Longan Guangzhou Management Committee presented letters of appointment to Lawyer Ge Xiangrong, Deputy Director of the Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases of Longan Guangzhou, and to Lawyers Zhang Jing and Liu Yanfeng (also Secretary-General).

Subsequently, Lawyer Ge Xiangrong, Director of the Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases of Longan Guangzhou, presented letters of appointment as senior advisor and senior researcher to the guests present. The senior advisors and researchers of the Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases of Longan Guangzhou include Sha Yuchen, Wu Rangjun, Liao Junlian, and Chen Qinglan, and the senior researchers include Lu Chunlin, Chen Qiaodan, Wu Gaoyuan, Peng Limin, Wang Baoxin, Li Wenxiao, Chen Sheng, and Chang Wenbin (in no particular order).

There was warm applause at the scene, all celebrating the establishment of the Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases of Longan Guangzhou.

Salon Presentation

Lawyer Liao Junlian

Senior partner of Longan Guangzhou, senior advisor to the Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases, and Head of the Commercial Dispute Resolution Department

Lawyer Liao Junlian shared her experience in litigation, with the theme of “Simplifying Complexity – Strategies and Techniques for Representing Complex Civil and Commercial Disputes”. She first defined complex civil and commercial dispute cases from three aspects: complex legal relationships, multiple points of contention, and numerous evidence. She emphasized the necessity of simplifying complexity, as it helps legal representatives clarify their strategies, prepare materials efficiently, and also improves the efficiency and quality of judicial proceedings.

Then, Lawyer Liao focused on the strategies and techniques for simplifying complexity. She said that the first step is to identify the legal basis for claims. First, examine what legal norms exist in current law that can serve as the basis for the claims in the case. Then, analyze the defenses that the defendant may raise for each legal basis. Finally, determine the most favorable legal basis from all the legal bases. The second step is to focus on the claims. When representing the plaintiff, consider the needs of the parties and analyze the ways to achieve them (such as feasibility, logic, and level), and adjust accordingly based on feedback. When representing the defendant, refute each claim made by the plaintiff. The third step is to clarify the facts and organize evidence. Collect and organize evidence based on the facts, and try to restore the facts of the case. The fourth point is to use logical syllogisms for analysis. For example, whether the evidence supports the facts—is the evidence sufficient? Are there contradictory evidence? The legal norms cited—are they correctly interpreted? Can these two be used to infer the claims? How can the gaps be filled? Finally, she mentioned that charts (such as tables or mind maps) can be used to assist in expression. Lawyer Liao added that in the future, if anyone has major and complex civil and commercial cases, they are welcome to submit them to the research center for discussion with experts from within and outside the firm.

The establishment of the Research Center for Major and Complex Civil and Commercial Cases of Longan Guangzhou will further deepen research in legal theory and practice. It will create a platform for exchange and business cooperation for major and complex civil and commercial cases for lawyers and professionals in the legal field. By fully leveraging the role of a legal think tank, it will enable multi-dimensional, objective, and scientific discussion and exchange of complex cases based on facts and law. This will help lawyers clarify their strategies for handling major and complex civil and commercial cases, improve the quality and efficiency of case handling, and is of great significance for improving and perfecting the exchange and discussion system for major and complex civil and commercial cases in Longan Guangzhou, deepening business cooperation and exchange within and outside the firm, and promoting resource sharing and effective integration.