The UK will bring Law and Justice to its extensive programme of events at Shanghai Expo 2010 next week. The week-long event aims to explore the contribution to society made by a strong, fair and independent judicial and legal system.

Running from Saturday (11th) to Saturday (18th), the programme for Justice and Law Week includes 10 activities over 7 days. It will involve a broad range of British and Chinese organisations and decision-makers in government, legal professionals and academics.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister, Jeremy Browne MP, who will formally launch the week at an event in Shanghai on Monday (13th) said:

"A great deal of work is underway to reform China's legal system by increasing the professionalism of the judiciary, reducing corruption and increasing the independence of the courts. The UK recognises the scale of the reforms, welcomes steps being taken and wishes to support them."

"We believe we have a lot to learn from each other on legal reform. Legal reform in China matters to us as more British companies do business with China and more British citizens come to China to visit, study or live. By engaging on these issues, we find out more and understand each other better."

"Law and Justice Week will provide an opportunity for an exchange of ideas and information between British and Chinese legal professionals and experts, which will deepen understanding and bilateral co-operation on an important issue."

The UK Pavilion at Shanghai Expo provides the perfect backdrop for the week-long programme of activities, celebrating the openness, confidence and creativity of the UK and underling the role that law and justice play in creating better cities and better lives.

The programme will be delivered by British Consulate General Shanghai and the British Embassy Beijing in partnership with the Great Britain China Centre, leading Shanghai universities and relevant Chinese ministries, including the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme People's Court. Events include:

Saturday 11 September - Conference on the role of law in guaranteeing rights for people with disabilities and inclusive design, with Tongji University;

Monday 13 September - Launch of Justice and Law Week with FCO Minister Jeremy Browne; visit to UK Pavilion by senior officials from the Supreme People's Court, Supreme People's Procuratorate and the National People's Congress; The Minister will offer his thoughts on the relationship between law, government and society at a salon hosted by the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences.

Tuesday 14 September - Moot Court with Chinese and British legal experts at Fudan University; Symposium on Corporate Social Responsibility with leading UK law firm, DLA Piper;

Wednesday 15 September – "Better Law: Better Business and Environment" seminar with discussions on international dispute resolution and environmental law with representation from Shanghai Bar Association, UKTI, The Law Socie ty and the General Council of the Bar at JW Marriott Tomorrow Square Hotel; Q&A between law students and British legal experts at Huadong Zhengfa University;

Thursday 16 September - UK-China Seminar on Prison Reform with experts from the International Centre for Prison Studies at King's College, London and the Chinese Ministry of Justice in Hefei, Anhui province;

Friday 17 September - Conclusion of an online photography competition, Justice Through My Eyes, in conjunction with the Legal Daily;

Saturday 18 September – VIP reception for Law and Justice Week participants at UK pavilion.