Asian Legal Business features Duan & Duan UK LLP in its analysis of Chinese law firms in London

Asian Legal Business (《亚洲法律杂志》), the Thomson Reuters legal publication, featured Duan & Duan UK LLP in a market analysis published on 9 February 2026 on the opportunities and challenges facing Chinese law firms in London.

In short

• The feature looked at Chinese law firms in London following the UK Prime Minister's official visit to China in late January 2026.
• Having checked the SRA website, ALB identified Duan & Duan UK LLP as a firm regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, with 11 solicitors working across litigation, corporate and commercial, family and immigration law.
• Wu Jian (吴坚), a Deputy Director of Duan & Duan at its Shanghai headquarters, spoke to ALB about litigation for Chinese clients in England, the Duan & Duan network in mainland China, and the challenges of building a practice in London.

What the feature covered

The article set the scene with the visit by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to China at the end of January 2026, the first by a UK Prime Minister in eight years, and the trade between the two countries that has followed. It noted that a number of Chinese law firms have opened in London since 2020, citing Brexit and the Shanghai–London Stock Connect as two of the reasons.

ALB reviewed the SRA website to see how those London operations are set up. It reported that many are not themselves registered with the SRA, although they have SRA-registered solicitors working for them. Of this firm, ALB wrote that "Duan & Duan UK is an organisation formally regulated by the SRA" (our translation), with 11 solicitors and a practice covering litigation, corporate and commercial, family and immigration work.

Comments from Wu Jian

Wu Jian is a Deputy Director of Duan & Duan at its Shanghai headquarters; he is not a member of Duan & Duan UK LLP. He explained that litigation in England for Chinese clients is a particular focus, as London continues to attract international disputes. He noted that Duan & Duan's network in mainland China allows clients anywhere in the country with an English law need to be connected directly with the team in London, and that pricing can be pitched to suit Chinese clients.

He was candid about the challenges. As more clients come to the firm with a wider range of English law needs, recruitment and cost become the main pressures: "As client needs become more diverse, we need to bring more senior talent into the London market" (our translation). He also mentioned private client work for Chinese families, including succession and trusts, as an area the firm is looking to develop.

About Duan & Duan UK LLP

Duan & Duan UK LLP (formerly Jackson Lyon LLP, renamed in October 2024) is an English law firm authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA number 659252), based at Middle Temple, London, and a member of the Duan & Duan international network. We advise in English and Mandarin on dispute resolution, corporate and commercial matters, family law and immigration.

Coverage

• Asian Legal Business (《亚洲法律杂志》), 市场观察 | 英首相访华后，中英贸易迎新局，中国律所伦敦“生存”的机会和挑战 (9 February 2026, in Chinese).

Frequently asked questions

Is Duan & Duan UK LLP regulated by the SRA?

Yes. Duan & Duan UK LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Our SRA number is 659252, and our entry can be checked on the SRA register at https://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/register/organisation/?sraNumber=659252.

How is Duan & Duan UK LLP related to Duan & Duan?

Duan & Duan UK LLP is an English limited liability partnership (OC427307) and a member of the Duan & Duan international network. The firm was founded as Jackson Lyon LLP and was renamed Duan & Duan UK LLP in October 2024. It is regulated in England and Wales by the SRA in its own right.

What areas of law does Duan & Duan UK LLP cover?

The firm advises on litigation and dispute resolution, corporate and commercial matters, family law and immigration, working in English and Mandarin. Much of its work involves clients with connections to both the English and Chinese legal systems.

Where can I read the Asian Legal Business article?

The feature was published in Chinese on the Asian Legal Business China website on 9 February 2026. A link is in the Coverage section at the end of this page.