The third Australia-China Legal Profession Development program started on 19 February 2009 with the arrival of nine Chinese lawyers and government officials in Australia.

The first four weeks of this four-month professional development program involves training focussed on information of the Australian legal system and related institutions, introduction to the Common Law and study visits targeting the specific areas of interests to the participants.  This initial period included trips to Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney, with visits to relevant legal institutions and government departments and agencies including Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and Arts and Department of Climate Change and some intensive training, including attendance at the Australian Securities and Investment Commission Summer School. In Canberra trainees spent two days at the Attorney-General’s Department, visiting the International Legal Services Policy Section, the Office of International Law, the Office of Legal Services Coordination, the Human Rights Branch, the Copyright Branch, the Office of Legislative Drafting and, the Publishing and Native Title Unit. In question and answer sessions trainees gained a good understanding of the responsibilities of the Department and the work undertaken there.

The second phase of the program began on 23 March 2009 and involves the Chinese trainees undertaking placements over twelve weeks in law firms, legal professional bodies and Australian State Government agencies in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.

The Program is an initiative of the International Legal Services Advisory Council (ILSAC) and is jointly implemented by the Attorney-General’s Department and the Law Council of Australia, in conjunction with the Chinese Ministry of Justice and the All China Lawyers Association.

The program aims at developing and strengthening links between the legal professions of the two countries, promoting understanding in both Australian and China of each country’s legal system and, providing assistance to China in its process of legal reform through work/study placements in areas where Australia has acknowledged expertise.

Under its Emerging Priorities component, the ACEDP supported an official from the State Council Legislative Affairs Office (SCLAO) with responsibilities for drafting legislation in the area of agriculture, natural resources and environmental protection to participate in the 2009 program.