CURRICULUM VITAE OF ZHIXIONG (LEO) LIAO
(Updated on 20 Feb 2014)
Personal Details
Name
Zhixiong (Leo) Liao
Telephone
+64 7 8384466 ext. 8094 (Office),
+64 22 5 066 088 (Mobile)
Email
[email protected]
Languages
English, Chinese
and Cantonese
Mandarin
Education in New Zealand
02/2010-11/2010
Master of Laws (with 1st Class Honours in Commercial Law)
University of Auckland
02/2009-11/2009
Master of Professional Studies (with 1st Class Honours in
Translation)
University of Auckland
02/2006-05/2009
Bachelor of Laws
University of Auckland
07/2006-04/2007
National Certificate in Computer Skills Level 2 and 3
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
Education & Training in China
09/2000-06/2003
Doctor of Laws
Renmin University of China
09/1992-02/1997
Master of Laws
Renmin University of China
09/1986-07/1990
Bachelor of Economics
Renmin University of China
04/2000-06/2000
Certificate of Core Courses of MBA
Tsing Hua University
09/1999-10/1999
Research on Environmental Economy and Policy
Institute of World Bank and State Environment Protection
Administration of China
1
02/1994-03/1994
Intensive Training on Chinese Tax Laws and Regulations
Tax Department of Shenzhen Municipality
Relevant Work Experience
01/2012-present
Lecturer in Law, Registered PhD Supervisor
Te Piringa – Faculty of Law
University of Waikato
Teaching Law of Contracts, Land Law, Commercial Transactions,
Comparative Chinese and Common Law Systems (to Students
from US Thomas Cooley Law School), and International Sales and
Finance Law (Master Course)
05/2011-12/2011
Barrister & Solicitor, Senior Solicitor
S J Lawyers (Takapuna, Auckland)
Practice in Property Law, Commercial Law, Immigration Law
and Employment Law; from client meeting, negotiation, legal
research, drafting, representing client at court hearings, legal
advising/consulting to finish the deal and filing
08/2010-04/2010
Solicitor
Philip Lee Law Ltd (Takapuna, Auckland)
Practice in Property Law, Commercial Law, Immigration Law
and Employment Law; from client meeting, negotiation, legal
research, drafting, legal advising/consulting to finish the deal
and filing
02/2010-09/2010
Appointed Lay Advocate
North Shore Youth Court
Advocating for Youths appearing at Court
02/2010-11/2010
Student Learning Assistant
Auckland University of Technology
Assisting students in developing research skills; answering
student questions online; guiding, advising and grading/marking
student’s assignments, etc.
07/2007-07/2008
Information Desk Service Volunteer
North Shore District Court
Receptionist, court user guidance, information about duty
solicitors and legal aid, etc.
08/2002-09/2005
Director-in-Chief and Practice Lawyer
Shiyan Legal Service Center (Shenzhen, China)
Supervision of daily operation of the centre, negotiation,
mediation, litigation, legal research, legal consulting and
advising, client business planning, etc.; Practice in Company and
Commercial Law, Overseas Investment Regulation, Tax Law,
Public Law.
09/1997-07/2004
Part-time Lecturer in Law
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Shiyan Open Polytechnic, Luohu Party School of CPC, BaoAn
Polytechnic
Lecturing, course developing and planning, tutoring and
assessing/making of courses including International Sales and
Finance Law, Economic Law, Legal Research and Writing,
Contract Law, Civil Law, and etc.
01/1997-08/2002
Directors-in-Chief
Administration Office and Major Projects Office,
Overseas Investments and Economic Development Office
Shiyan Sub-District Council, Shenzhen, China
Supervision of daily operation of the local government office, coordination of major projects
Supervision of overseas investments solicitation, assessments and
pre-approval
03/1996-08/2002
Practice Lawyer
Guangdong Jindi Law Office, China
Practice in Company and Commercial law, Tax Law and
Overseas Investment Law; from client reception, negotiation,
mediation, litigation, legal research, legal consulting and
advising, participating in clients business planning, etc.
071990-03/1996
Salesperson, Accountant, Manager of Marketing Dept., Vice
General Manager
Founder Co. Ltd. (a State-Owned Company in Shenzhen)
Law Clerk and Practice Lawyer in Training
Guangdong Jindi Law Office, China
Major Case in Legal Practice
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Legal Consultant for Shenzhen Tax Department, won the BaoRi Golf Club Case, the
biggest tax avoidance case in China at the time
Major Legal Services to Major Clients
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Independent Non-Executive Director, Perennial International Ltd. (listed in Hong
Kong Stock Exchange)
Chief Legal Consultant, Perennial International Ltd. (listed in Hong Kong Stock
Exchange)
Legal Consultant, Lamex (Dongguan) Furniture Ltd., a key subsidiary of Lamex
Holdings Ltd. (Listed in Hong Kong Stock Exchange)
Legal consultant, Carlisle Tire & Wheel Hong Kong Ltd. (a subsidiary of Carlisle
Tire & Wheel, a U.S. based Fortune-500)
Legal Consulting and tax advising, OEG Shenzhen Ltd. (a subsidiary of Siemens
firstly then Tyco, both are among the Fortune-500s)
Legal Consultant, Local Tax Department of Shenzhen Municipality
Chief legal consultant, Shiyan Sub-District Council
Legal Consultant, Association of Foreign Investors in Shiyan
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Legal Consultant, Association of Taiwanese Factory-owners in Shiyan
Legal Consultant, Chamber of Merchants in Shiyan
Legal Consultant and President of Student Parents’ Committee of Stone Public
School
Legal Consultant, Wise Pearl Ltd., Hong Kong (a subsidiary of a U.S. based
company)
Chief legal consultant, Shenzhen Union-Chain Paper Ltd.
Legal Consultant, Electrical & Electronics Ltd. (E & E Group)
Some Distinctions
2011
Achieved an average A- (80%-84%) and First Class Honours in
Master of Laws at University of Auckland
2009
Achieved an average A (85%-89%) and First Class honours in
Master of Professional Studies at University of Auckland
2004
Doctoral Dissertation selected as candidate for Excellent
Doctorate Dissertation, Renmin University of China
2004
Awarded “Excellent Lawyer” by Bureau of Justice, BaoAn
District, Shenzhen
2001
Awarded “Top Ten Civil Service Achievements” by the Mayor of
Shenzhen Municipality
2000
Voted as one of the “Top Ten Outstanding Youths” by the
community of BaoAn District, Shenzhen
1999
Voted as one of the “Top Ten Outstanding Youths” by the
community of Shiyan Sub-District, Shenzhen
1994
Champion of the “New Tax Law Competition” sponsored by the
Tax Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality
Some Publications/Articles
 Liao, Z. “Consumer Law and Practice in China: A Critique on the 20-Year
Experience and the Recent Amendment Bill”, International Journal of on Consumer
Law and Practice, National Law School of India University, 2013, vol. 1, pp. 1-13.
(Co-author Xiang Zhen).
 Liao, Z. “Intention to Create Legal Relations and the Reform of Contract law: A
Conservative Approach in the Modern Global Era”, Beijing Law Review, Scientific
Research Publish, 2013, vol. 4, No.2, pp. 82-93. DOI: 10.4236/blr.2013.42011.
 Liao, Z. “Leal Professional Ethics: Moral Conflicts, Choices and Legal Protection of
Professional Moral Rights”, Western Law Review, Gansu University of Political
Science and Law, 2013, vol. 2, pp. 30-36.
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 Liao, Z. “Doing business in China: special rules on setting up a trading company”,
NZLawyer, Issue 201, LexisNexis New Zealand, 2013, p 11.
 Liao, Z. “Tax Avoidance and Anti-Avoidance: Legislation and Judicial Practice in
New Zealand and the Implications”, Economic Law Review, China Legal Publishing
Hourse, 2012, vol. 12, pp. 337-377.
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Liao, Z. “Book Review: Understanding Commercial Law”, Waikato Law Review,
University of Waikato, 2012, vol. 20, pp. 130-133.
 Liao, Z. “Doing Business in China: from Contracts to a Business Establishment”,
NZLawyer, LexisNexis New Zealand, 2012, issue 197, p. 22.
 Liao, Z. “Essential aspects of China’s Tax Law”, NZLawyer, Issue 192, LexisNexis
New Zealand, 2012, p.11.
 Liao, Z. “The general legal principles of doing business in China”, NZLawyer, Issue
188, LexisNexis New Zealand, 2012, pp.12-13.
 Liao, Z. “Book Review: Hinde on Commercial Leases”, LawTalk, Issue 792, New
Zealand Law Society, 2012, pp. 24-25.
 Liao, Z. “New Zealand's new immigration act: changes and implications”, Oriental
Weekly. v70, Oriental Times Group Ltd, 2011. p.15-15.
 Liao, Z. “Selected legal issues concerning application for residency under skilled
migrant category”, Oriental Weekly. v83, Oriental Times Group Ltd, 2011. p.10-10.
 Liao, Z. “Partnership" in immigration law”, Oriental Weekly. v87, Oriental Times
Group Ltd, 2011. p.10-10.
 Liao, Z. “Legal issues on application for residency under family category”, Oriental
Weekly. v85, Oriental Times Group Ltd, 2011. p. 10-10.
 Liao, Z. Comparing immigration licensed adviser with immigration lawyer. Oriental
Weekly. v72, Oriental Times Group Ltd, 2011. p. 15-15.
 Liao, Z. “Why Are So Many Commercial Leases in New Zealand Unregistered?”
(LLM Research Paper, University of Auckland, 2010).
 Liao, Z. “The Necessity of Franchise Specific Regulation in New Zealand: A Critique
on the Cabinet Paper on Franchise Regulation” (LLM Research Paper, University of
Auckland, 2010).
 Liao, Z. “Internet Content Regulation in China: A Legal and Economic Analysis and
Proposals for Policy Makers”(LLM Research Paper, University of Auckland, 2010) .
 Liao, Z. “A Comparative Study on the ‘Illegality Defence’ to Payments under
Documentary Letters of Credit and Suggestions for New Zealand”(LLM Research
Paper, University of Auckland, 2010).
 Liao, Z. “A Survey and Critique of Judicial Translation in Mainland China” (Master
of Professional Studies Dissertation, University of Auckland, 2009) .
 Liao, Z. “A Research on the Legal System of Regulation of China’s Market Access”,
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Economic Law Review, China Legal Publishing House, 2004, vol. 4, pp. 241-317.
 Wen, Y. and Liao, Z. “A Review on Contract Law Taking into Account Transactions
between Associated Enterprises” Shenzhen Legal (Shenzhen, 21 December 2003) at 7
(Legal Forum, co-authored).
 Liao, Z. “Principles of WTO and the Reform of the Regime of Chinese Market
Access by Enterprises” (2002) 133 Journal of Theories and Practices in Special
Economic Zones 27.
 Wen, Y. and Liao, Z. “A Review on the Reform of the Chinese Judiciary System
Following Theories of Systematology” Shenzhen Legal (Shenzhen, 19 January 2002)
at 7 (Legal Forum, co-authored).
 Liao, Z. and Wen, Y. “Establishing a Sustainable Economic Law System for the
Market-oriented Economy Following Theories of Systematology” (2002) 150 Journal
of Special Economic Zone's Economy 33 (co-authored).
 Kuang, R and Liao, Z. “Entry into WTO and the Reform of Chinese Tax Law
System” (2001) 153 International Taxation 22 (recognized as "Excellent Article" by
the International Taxation Study Association of China, co-authored).
 Liao, Z. “An Assessment on ‘Class-C’ Administration over Processing Trade
Enterprises by the Custom and Policy Advices” (Research Report, Institute of BaoAn
Social and Economic Development, 1999) (won a first-class award of "Excellent
Articles of the Year on Social and Economic Developments in BaoAn).
 Zhong, H. and Liao, Z. “How to Levy Tax on Bankrupt Corporations” (1997) 1
Shenzhen Taxation Reference Journal 1 (won a first-class award of “Excellent
Articles on Taxation of the Year” sponsored by Shenzhen Tax Bureau, co-authored).
 Liao, Z. “Penalty for Breach of Contract and Setting-off against Goods Price” (1993)
Shenzhen Commercial (Shenzhen, 19 Feburary 1993) at 11.
Professional Association Memberships
New Zealand:
 Enrolled Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand (05/2010)
 Member of New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters (08/2010)
China:
 Admitted Lawyer (Legal Practitioner) (12/1994)
 National Admitted Economist with Specialization of Taxation (granted by
Ministry of Personnel of China in 05/1995)
 Member of Experts Advisory Board of Shenzhen Municipality, China
 Council Member of Taxation Research Institute of Shenzhen Municipality,
China
 Appointed "Expert in Translation Quality Assessment on Dissertations
Translated", by China Academic Journal Network Publishing Database
（CAJD, Tsinghua University）and China Knowledge Resource Integrated
Database (CNKI, Tsinghua University) (12/2013)
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