Chen Dehui of the Dalian Chen Dehui Law Firm was charged with evading over 1.14 million yuan (US$137,350) in taxes from December 1994 to the end of 1999.

This is the first time in China for a lawyer to be charged with such an offense.

However, the defendant has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Chen, 49, is known for setting up China's first law consultancy hotline, in 1995. He opened a related website in 1998, which was later recognized by the All-China Association of Lawyers as the only authentic law website.

The court did not announce a judgment after seven hours of non-stop hearing Tuesday.

(Xinhua 04/25/2001)