Deacons is the first foreign law firm in mainland China to have received official approval from the Ministry of Justice to establish three representative offices in China.
Having been operating in the PRC for some 20 years, Deacons has established solid and extensive relationships with the government and key officials in the PRC. This is demonstrated by the fact that two lawyers at Deacons are China-appointed attesting officers authorised by the Ministry of Justice to attest documents in Hong Kong for use in the PRC, whereas normally only one lawyer is authorised for each firm.
The Asia Pacific Legal 500 (2005/2006 edition) stated the following about Deacons - "The firm has 'great experience of the way business is done in China', 'very good contacts with Chinese authorities' and its lawyers are 'knowledgeable and creative problem solvers', say clients."
In the same publication, Deacons was ranked first tier in the areas of both China Employment and WTO/International Trade (2006/2007 and 2007/2008 editions).
Deacons was quoted in Law Firm in Greater China 2004 edition (an Asia Law & Practice publication) as having "...one of the largest PRC presences and practice teams among Hong Kong firms." It also stated that Deacons is "active in practically all commercial areas in China."
Franki Cheung (partner) has been acknowledged eight times as a leading lawyer in the area of Corporate/M&A in the PRC in the Asia Pacific Legal 500 (2001/2002, 2002/2003, 2003/2004, 2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2006/2007, 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 editions).
Franki was recommended as a leading lawyer in the area of Dispute Resolution in the PRC by the same publication (2007/2008 and 2008/2009 edition).
In the Global Counsel 3000 2003/2004, Deacons was ranked a recommended firm for Banking & Finance and Dispute Resolution in the PRC.