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Legal support for international businesses and individuals facing disputes with Chinese companies or counterparties.
Whether the issue involves unpaid invoices, non-delivery, defective goods, breach of contract, or a shareholder disagreement, the first step is to assess the evidence, the available legal routes, and the practical prospects of recovery.
Discuss a China-Related DisputeNot sure whether your situation fits? Send a short outline through the enquiry form below. I will confirm whether I can help and what the next step would be.
Discuss a China-Related DisputeYes. Foreign companies have standing in Chinese courts, and jurisdiction usually follows the contract clause or the defendant's domicile. If the contract contains an arbitration clause, the dispute normally goes to arbitration instead. The first step is checking the clause and identifying the correct respondent.
Start by preserving the full evidence trail and sending a formal written demand. If that fails, the options are usually negotiation through counsel, arbitration, or litigation, depending on the contract. Whether the deposit is recoverable depends on the contract terms and which side is responsible for the failed transaction.
It is more complicated, but not hopeless. Claims may exist against the contracting seller, and in some situations against the recipient. What matters is the paper trail showing why payment was directed to a third party. This mismatch is common in China trade disputes and should be assessed early.
Often, yes. A demand letter from a Chinese lawyer sets a deadline, puts the counterparty on formal notice, and sometimes produces payment without proceedings. It also creates a clean record if the case proceeds. It is usually a low-cost first step.
The contract clause may already decide this. Where there is a choice, compare enforceability, cost, duration, confidentiality, and where the assets are. Arbitration is private and awards travel well internationally; litigation in the defendant's local court can be more direct for asset enforcement inside China.
Yes. Property preservation is available in litigation and, through the court, in support of arbitration. Applicants usually must provide security, and urgent applications can be made before filing in defined circumstances. It is a key tool where there is a risk that assets will be moved.
That is workable. The Chinese text is what a Chinese court or tribunal will rely on, and I review contracts bilingually, so the assessment is based on the operative text rather than a rough translation. Key documents can be translated for your decision-making.
Sometimes. Enforcement abroad depends on treaties or reciprocity between China and the country where the assets are, and the position has been evolving. If the assets are in China, enforcement is usually more straightforward. This should be mapped before proceedings begin.
Provide the parties' names, a short timeline, the amount involved, and any important deadline. Please avoid sending highly sensitive documents through an unsecured initial enquiry. I can assess whether the matter fits my practice and explain the potential next steps, subject to review of the facts and evidence. No outcome or recovery can be guaranteed.
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The information on this page is general information about legal services and legal issues in mainland China. It is not legal advice for any specific situation and does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Services are provided only after a conflict check and a written engagement.