Despite the fact that lawyers are undeniably critical to a society whose judicial system values due process, they are marginalized in China, where the system is fledgling compared to its Western counterparts.

After 30 years of legal construction and judicial development since China opened up in the late 1970s, lawyers as a group have grown from non-existent to a significant professional group. Though they have been gradually accepted by society, their status has not enjoyed a parallel lift. The profession is regarded almost as an alien force, and it remains excluded and suppressed by prosecutors, the public security apparatus and governmental legal departments.

This is particularly true in criminal cases. For instance, Article 306 of the criminal code indicates restrictions on the right to a criminal defense and threatens defense attorneys with prosecution. Lawyers also face constant barriers when asking to meet defendants, for the transfer of documents for review and when making simple inquiries. There have even been escalating conflicts between defense attorneys and trial judges in recent years.

The country's harshest treatment of lawyers comes from within the judicial system. Even at hearings, lawyers are sometimes not allowed to enter the courtroom if the defendant is not present. They neither expect nor have the luxury of equal status with the prosecution. They often wind up compromising for their own safety or simply giving up on cases.

Building a society ruled by law is more than just an abstract concept. A legal structure without lawyers enjoying a respected status within a courtroom is simply incomplete. And a legal environment where lawyers are rejected is a distorted one.

It is unfortunate that the country's lawyers are still forced to work in humble and embarrassing conditions. The day Chinese lawyers enjoy a dignified status will be the day China can truly call itself a society of rule of law.

Tian Wenchang is a director emeritus of King & Capital law firm