The Ministry of Justice has put an end to a £370,000 annual subsidy paid out for the last 20 years to help train Chinese lawyers.

The Lord Chancellor’s Training Scheme was aimed at engaging with young Chinese lawyers to improve their understanding of the English legal system and facilitate links between the UK and Chinese legal professions.

Funded by government, the scheme was managed by the Bar Council and the Law Society in collaboration with the British Council and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

Around 15 Chinese lawyers took part each year, completing a SOAS-run academic programme and practical placements in law firms and chambers.

An MoJ spokesman said the scheme’s objectives, which were ‘largely commercial’, could be achieved without its financial support.