Reflecting on UK-China legal ties

Following our celebratory reception in Beijing with LCTS alumni and mentors and Law Society members, we look back at how the scheme has shaped the lives of its alumni and how it brought our two legal professions together.

Yuhua Yang (杨玉华), partner, Thornhill Legal – LCTS participant, 2004 to 2005

I was lucky to be the 200th participant under the scheme. I had my placements at Lawrence Graham (now Gowlings WLG), where I was mentored by Victoria Younghusband, who has remained a lifelong mentor to me. I also had my placements at 6 Pump Court Chambers, mentored by Stephen Hockman KC, and Charltons in Hong Kong, mentored by Julia Charlton. 

The scheme was an eye-opening experience for me both personally and professionally and its impact was profound and fundamental. I met my other half during the training programme. The scheme also set me on a path to qualify in New York then in England and Wales. These pivotal events enabled me to embark on a truly international legal career and have shaped my practice ever since.

There are too many special moments and memories from my time on the scheme, but 2004 stands out as a real highlight. It was my first time truly experiencing Christmas. The festive party with Lawrence Graham colleagues and the lovely gathering at Victoria's home with her family is a lifetime memory for me.

Through the scheme, I gained a deeper understanding that England and Wales is a real hub for international legal collaboration – especially London. I witnessed and experienced firsthand how a highly specialised and competitive market works. It was eye-opening to see how professionals compete and collaborate, fostering a wonderful ecosystem where talent thrives. 

The relationships I formed with various mentors and friends from the scheme have lasted for decades. The scheme has enriched me both personally and professionally in ways I couldn’t have foreseen. In late 2016, I established the London office of a leading Chinese law firm and worked to develop it for eight years, including during the pandemic. Last year marked another major milestone, as I led the team to launch an independent firm Thornhill Legal, aiming to further develop China-centric cross-border legal services.

Without the invaluable experience and connections from the scheme, my career and life path would likely have taken a very different direction. Last year, we also launched Thornhill Academy, a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to fostering a community of like-minded professionals and promoting best practices in cross-border collaboration. What I am doing now through Thornhill Academy is, in many ways, a continuation of the scheme’s spirit and mission.

Victoria Younghusband, partner, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP – LCTS mentor, 1993 to 2010

It has been a great privilege and honour to have been an LCTS mentor. I first became involved in the LCTS when I was working in Hong Kong with Stephenson Harwood & Lo, having taken over from my partner Patrick Rodier (who sadly died in March 2025). Patrick signed Stephenson Harwood’s London office up to the scheme in 1992.

My first mentee was Zhang Zheng Ya from Guangzhou. I continued as a mentor and persuaded the firms I moved to to participate in the scheme, when I moved to Lawrence Graham (now Gowling WLG) in 1998 and then to SJ Berwin in 2007.

Each and every participant in the LCTS gained very valuable experience from the scheme. All Chinese lawyers who participated in the LCTS gained a deep knowledge and understanding of the UK concept of the rule of law and the common law system, as well as the economic and financial operations of a private practice law firm.

It was most rewarding to see how lawyers have developed and thrived. For example, David Liu Da Li, now of the transformed Jun He, who, with another LCTS alumnus Charles Qin, set up Llinks Law Firm in Shanghai, which is now an international law firm. David Wan, originally from Lanzhou, is now senior partner of Long An, headquartered in Beijing. And my good friend Yuhua Yang, who has recently set up her own law firm Thornhill Legal, is uniquely based in London.

I particularly enjoyed inviting my mentees to my home. I introduced them to my family and to English Sunday lunch or to Christmas, and I was fabulously entertained and looked after when I saw them in Shanghai or Beijing.

Schemes like this enable the participants to develop a real understanding of the other legal system and create enduring relationships. It’s enabled confident co-working on projects for both Chinese and international clients. The transformation of Chinese law firms over the period has been extraordinary.

David Wan (万迎军), senior partner, Long An Law Firm – LCTS participant, 2000 to 2001

I experienced fundamental change due to the scheme. Not only professionally, from being a local lawyer in my city to an international lawyer dealing with incredible transactions and litigation/arbitration cases, but also in my personal and family life. The scheme is partly the reason why my son chose to study common law in the UK.

My mentor, Victoria Younghusband, invited my wife and me to stay with her lovely family during the Christmas in 2000 for three days. It was a precious time and a special moment in our life. This particular experience, together with other memorable times that I enjoyed, were reported publicly in China.

I studied European and UK law at SOAS University of London as part of the scheme. I was also trained by both solicitors in firms and barristers in chambers. This gave me a deep and practical understanding of the UK legal system for cross-border legal collaboration.

I’ve maintained both professional and personal connections as a result of the scheme. My mentor, Victoria Younghusband, was very kind and professional, as were the other colleagues in her firm and the other people who provided support to us, such as the Law Society.

Neil Sampson, former head of international business, Rosenblatt – LCTS mentor

The LCTS has had a lasting impact on UK-China legal cooperation. Participation in the training scheme has given a good understanding of not only the English legal system and the way of life in the UK but also the way of life outside China which understanding was very important when the scheme began and remains so important for international cooperation today. 

I’ve seen many participants on the scheme return to China and become leading lawyers across the country. It’s very rewarding to see their successes and know that members of the Law Society and Bar Council have provided a long-lasting benefit for them in promoting their careers. There have been remarkable successes among participants in the LCTS.

A particular moment stands out in my memory: I asked a participant to review the case papers in a matter where I was sitting on a tribunal. I had reached a decision on the papers, but the participant reached a different decision and explained why. Having reviewed the papers again I realised I was wrong and the participant was right.

International understanding is an essential ingredient in the development of legal relations between the people of many countries. The LCTS gave the participants hands-on experience of the approach that UK lawyers take to business and life in general. That’s so important to develop the understanding of how schemes such as this add value to promoters and participants.