Article 54 Bar Associations shall reward model members who have performed their obligations as members and made outstanding contributions to the development of the legal profession, and impose penalties on members who have violated the laws and the code of conduct for the legal profession.

Article 55 The Bar Association shall circulate a notice of commendation, commendation or confer an honorary title on a member, as well as moral or material awards, if a member:

(1) has made major contributions to safeguarding the interests of the State and the people;

(II) has made outstanding contributions to the development of democracy and legal system;

(III) has successfully handled cases that have significant influence nationwide or in the region and made remarkable achievements;

(IV) has actively explored the areas of legal practice and made remarkable achievements;

(V) has been conferred with honorary titles by the Party committee, government department, or such public organizations as workers, youth and women;

(VI) other circumstances under which an award shall be granted.

Article 56 The Bar Associations shall establish a special agency to accept complaints and reports against suspected violations of laws, discipline and regulations by members in their practice activities, to be responsible for investigation and evidence collection, and to give opinions on how to deal with them.

Article 57 If a member commits any of the following acts, the Bar Association shall, according to the seriousness of the case, mete out punishments such as admonishment, circulation of a notice of criticism in the profession, public denunciation, suspension of membership rights and cancellation of membership:

(1) has violated the Lawyers Law and the relevant regulations and rules on the administration of lawyers;

(II) has failed to perform the obligations as a member and breached the provisions of this Articles of Association;

(III) has violated professional ethics and practice discipline of lawyers;

(IV) has seriously violated public morality and affected the professional image and reputation of lawyers;

(V) has committed other acts in violation of industry norms that require punishment.

If the Bar Association imposes any of the above punishments, it may, at the same time, recommend to the judicial administrative organ at the same level to impose administrative punishments. If an act in violation of laws or disciplines is serious and should be given administrative punishments, the Bar Association shall directly recommend suggestions on punishments to the judicial administrative organ.

If a member commits any act listed in the first paragraph of this Article or commits any act obviously below professional standards, the Bar Association may order him/her to participate in the training organized or recognized by the Bar Association. If the member refuses to accept it, the Bar Association shall punish him/her or recommends administrative punishments to the judicial administrative organ.

If an individual member who violates laws or disciplines is a member of the Communist Party of China, or if a group member has set up a Party organization, the Bar Association shall suggest the Party organization to which he/she belongs to handle it in accordance with the disciplines and regulations.

Article 58 Before making a decision on punishment, the Bar Association must carefully listen to the defense of the parties. Before making a decision on punishments such as circulation of a notice of criticism in the profession, public denunciation, suspension of membership rights and cancellation of membership, the party shall be informed of the right to request for a hearing. If a party requests for a hearing, the Bar Association shall organize it.

If a party is dissatisfied with a decision on punishment made by the Bar Association, he/she may apply for a review.

Article 59 If a member is suspended from practice by the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice for violating laws or disciplines, he/she shall not be entitled to the rights to vote or to be elected and other rights of members of the Bar Association during the period of suspension of practice.

Article 60 The Bar Association may mediate disputes between its members and disputes between its members and non-members.