One thing Shanghai people cannot be disinterested about is the city's resettlement plan. I am watching TV comfortably at my home today, but who knows whether tomorrow a contract will be signed to force me out of my home.

It is true that I may receive quite a lot of money in compensation but it would surely be dwarfed by the ever-soaring apartment prices in Shanghai. And no one can know what else might happen in this complex and lengthy process.

It cannot be denied that the dazzling development of Shanghai in recent years should partly be attributed to the huge contribution made by the many Shanghai residents involved in the city's resettlement plan. Without their co-operation and sacrifice, many urban projects would have run less smoothly.

However, recent years have seen a rise in the number of disputes concerning the respective rights and obligations of those affected by the resettlement projects, one category concerning local government and another the commercial developers.

Nothing is of more concern to people than their own homes, places people return to every day after work. The resettlement project has become a daily topic in Shanghai and attracted the attention of the whole society and the government.

A volunteer group has recently been set up under the auspices of Shanghai Bar Association in Shanghai, aiming to provide professional legal help, at nil or minimal charge, to those affected by the city's resettlement programme, according to the Jiefang Daily, and 152 expert lawyers have joined the group (September 21).

I venture to say that this group is more than just a volunteer group such as those concerned with the environment, since it is also part of the city's policy to help to safeguard the rights and interests of ordinary citizens affected by the resettlement programme and to maintain the stability of society.

Common sense tells us people should have equal access to the law, regardless of their property or other status.

Now, the intervention of the Bar Association means a social organization, possessing more power, influence and resources than would otherwise have been available, is being partly directed to the disadvantaged group.

Not only will the participation of these lawyers in resettlement disputes help citizens, it may also serve as a "scarecrow" for administrative institutions and commercial establishments who should be much more careful about their behaviour.

A city is bound to meet with problems in the process of its development. Shanghai is no exception. The key is to face the problem and try to find suitable solutions. When it comes to tensions between people and between people and institutions, the participation of lawyers in the dispute settlement process in an organized way seems to be a choice despite my concern about who will be the real source of funds - since such a large expense-incurring project does not seem to be as interesting as merely advocating the protection of trees - or is the whole work to be solely based on volunteers?

But anyway this is at least a first step. Time will tell whether it is a good idea.

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