(I) Engagement Process
Needs Communication Prospective clients communicate with Sino’s AI assistant and on-duty paralegals to learn details of Sino Special Legal Services. The client briefs the case, states needs, requirements, budget expectations and engagement intent. After the client uploads case-related documents, the AI assistant and paralegal will introduce the assigned lawyer and respond to inquiries based on case facts.
If the prospective client requests an in-person meeting, the paralegal may arrange it accordingly.
Sino undertakes to keep all client information confidential whether an engagement is subsequently formed or not.
Fee Negotiation If the client only engages online legal argumentation, ad-hoc or retainer advisory services, the paralegal and the client will tentatively set the service scope and fee amount based on Sino Special Services’ hourly rate and estimated service hours, with prepayment collected online.
For all other matters, fees are determined on a case-by-case basis with reference to Sino’s special service fee schedule and engagement contract templates. Prospective clients may submit their service requirements and budget proposals directly to the paralegal for quotation; the engagement is confirmed upon approval by the lead lawyer. Alternatively, the client may only state their requirements, and the paralegal will prepare a fee proposal, which takes effect once agreed by both the lead lawyer and the prospective client.
Contract Signing & Payment Once the scope of service and fees are agreed, the paralegal arranges contract execution online or offline, collects payment, and completes Sino’s internal case intake registration.
(II) Case Handling Procedures & Rules
Establishment of Sino WeCom Case Group After the engagement contract is signed, the paralegal creates a dedicated work group on Sino Enterprise WeChat, and invites the client and the client’s designated contacts, representatives or advisors to join (WeChat accounts shall match those stated in the engagement contract). All Sino personnel joining the group shall state their role and responsibilities for the case.
Full Traceability of Engagement and Services Delivery and confirmation of engagement documents, case materials, invoices, work papers, litigation documents and similar materials shall, in principle, be conducted via the work group. Materials delivered offline shall be accompanied by signed receipts and backup copies. Call logs, chat records, audio and video records shall be retained throughout the service and archived in the firm for no less than ten years.
Completion of Online Legal Argumentation, Ad-hoc or Retainer Advisory Services The format of argumentation follows the client’s preference and may be delivered via Enterprise WeChat voice/video calls or Tencent Meetings.
Written conclusions and argumentation minutes may be cited; full-text citation is mandatory if disclosed to any third party.
Written, audio and video materials shall not be transmitted or disclosed to third parties without the consent of both the lawyer and the client.
Completion of Offline Legal Services (1) Service requirements and instructions shall, in principle, be submitted online; service plans and schedules shall, in principle, be agreed online; implementation updates and outcomes shall, in principle, be reported via the work group. Services completed in person offline shall be supported by corresponding records, backups, receipts and confirmations. (2) The case assistant liaises with the signed client, collects and summarizes case facts, gathers evidence, and retrieves relevant statutes and precedents. (3) The assisting lawyer reviews the case, collects and verifies evidence, researches relevant precedents, statutes and judicial interpretations, and drafts legal documents. (4) The lead lawyer conducts an in-depth review of the case, researches applicable laws and judicial interpretations, develops solution strategies, reviews and finalizes legal documents, and controls overall service quality. (5) Senior advisors and supervising lawyers provide consultation and guidance for exceptionally major and complex cases to guarantee service quality.
(III) Supplement and Amendment to Service Contracts
If the service contract contains clauses governing supplements and amendments, such clauses shall prevail. The client may negotiate, propose and confirm supplementary or amended terms online with the lead lawyer. The paralegal shall submit such changes to the firm for registration or filing, and such supplements or amendments carry the same legal effect as the original service contract. In the absence of such contractual clauses, the parties shall execute a separate supplementary/amendment agreement, or one party may issue a written undertaking to the other. If the receiving party accepts it without objection, it shall be deemed a valid supplement or amendment to the service contract.
(IV) Complaints, Refunds and Indemnification
Clients have the right to monitor contract performance. If the client believes the assigned lawyer fails to perform duties, or service attitude and quality fall short of Sino’s standards, the client may promptly point out issues, raise concerns and request rectification and improvement.
If the assigned lawyer explicitly rejects reasonable client requests, delays handling matters or refuses corrections, the client may file a complaint with Sino’s Practice Guidance Committee, request supervision of the case, apply for replacement of counsel, terminate the engagement, and seek partial or full refund of fees.
If economic loss is caused to the client by the lawyer’s professional negligence, indemnification may be granted, commensurate with the degree of fault, up to ten times the service fees received by the firm.
If the client believes the lawyer has violated professional ethics or disciplinary rules, a complaint may be submitted directly to Sino’s Discipline Committee for investigation and disposition.
If Sino’s Practice Guidance Committee or Discipline Committee fails to handle the complaint in a timely manner, or the client disagrees with the outcome, the client may submit a complaint in accordance with applicable rules to the Xicheng District Lawyers Association, Beijing Lawyers Association or the competent judicial administrative authority.
(V) Confirmation of Contract Completion and Archiving
When the lead lawyer considers that the service contract has been fully performed and the case is ready for closing, written feedback from the client shall be solicited, and case closing requires the client’s consent.
If the client disagrees with closing, the matter will be referred to Sino’s Practice Guidance Committee to negotiate with the client and determine whether the service contract has been fulfilled.
After case closing is confirmed by the client and the Practice Guidance Committee, the paralegal completes internal closing registration and financial settlement. The paralegal shall create both electronic and physical case archives complying with the content requirements and retention periods stipulated by the Ministry of Justice.