近日，中国上市公司法律风险实证研究成果发布会在北京举行。这次发布会上的重要成果是第一次用数字的形式量化了企业法律风险成本。同时，也让企业意识到法律风险管理的重要性，体现了法律服务的价值。
该报告通过对2009年数据有效的1734家上市公司进行分析，计算出这些上市公司 2009年的净利润为5821亿元，而其法律风险成本为621亿元，整体法律风险成本指数高达为10.67。其中，法律风险成本最高的100家上市公司， 其相应的法律风险成本指数是358. 这意味着这些上市公司每挣100元钱，付出的法律风险成本就高达358元。
中国商业法研究会企业法律风险研究所所长叶晓华表示，“上市公司法律风险管理的整体状况令人堪忧。许多上市公司直到风险爆发了，才意识到法律风险防范的重要性。”根据报告，2009年，中国上市公司诉讼仲裁的涉案金额为536亿元。其中，由于疏于法律风险防范导致诉讼仲裁的涉案金额占比达到了27%。叶所长表示，上市公司聘请律师，采取相应的法律防范措施，是相当必要的。
另外，这次公布的指数也从另外一个角度显示了律师法律服务的价值。
来自北京中银律师事务所的韩雨晴表示，“风险指数的出现是企业法律风险管理上一个很重要的里程碑。 我们律师的价值可以通过这些指数来体现。通过比较，如果法律风险指数下降了，那说明律师在法律风险防范方面做的工作不错。”
2010中国上市公司法律风险实证研究报告是由中银律师事务所和中国商业法研究会企业法律风险研究所共同合作完成的。2011年的上市公司法律风险指数将在明年出台。届时，上市公司和律师都可以通过这些指数来衡量企业采用的法律风险措施是否最有效的。
The first Chinese legal risk index report was recently released in Beijing during the fourth ‘Legal Risk Management Forum’. Issued by the Enterprise Legal Risk Research Institute of the China Business Law Research Association and Zhongyin law firm, the report highlights the importance of legal risk management for listed companies in China, as well as the value of legal service.
According to the report, the total cost of potential legal risks faced by 1,734 polled A-share listed companies in 2009 is estimated at RMB 62.1bn, against total net earnings of RMB582.1bn. The report also calculated a ‘legal risk index’ for each company. The average index score was 10.67, meaning for every RMB 100 of profit, RMB 10.67 worth of legal risk existed; the equivalent figure for the 100 listed enterprises with the highest risk, however was 358.
'It is worrying for listed companies in China in terms of the legal risk management. Most still lack effective legal risk prevention and control systems,” said Ye Xiaohua, director of the institute. “Most companies are not aware of any legal risk until the crisis erupts.” According to the research, in 2009 litigation causes involving listed companies were worth as much as RMB53.6bn, yet 27% of cases could have been eliminated if a good legal risk management system existed. “Hiring experienced lawyers and taking measures to prevent legal risk are urgent needs for a large number of Chinese listed companies.” said Ye.
In addition, the research puts the value of legal services into perspective. “The index gives an important benchmark and measuring system for legal risk management efforts. For example, if a company’s legal risk index number drops, that means its lawyer has done a good job,” said Han Yumei, a lawyer from Zhongyin law firm, one of the co-hosts of the legal risk forum.
According to Ye Xiaohua, another report will be released next year by which time, entrepreneurs and lawyers should have a better idea of whether legal risk control is effective, and in which areas they need more improvement. ALB
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