The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has issued an interim order preventing Chinese law firm Baqian Law Group Lanka from engaging in any legal work in the country, local media has reported.

The order was granted in response to a fundamental rights petition filed by an attorney named Nayantha Wijesundara. The petition claimed that “legal professional services could be provided only by natural persons who, by virtue of being members of a noble profession, are personally liable for their services.” However, companies, which are juristic persons, have limited liability.

The petitioner stated that Supreme Court Rules that apply to attorneys-at-law restrict lawyers when it comes to touting and advertising. However, as Baqian Law Group is not regulated by the Supreme Court, it would be free to engage in advertising its legal services.

Baqian Law Group Lanka was launched in Sri Lanka by Yunnan Baqian Law Group of China in January this year.