Foreign companies come in contact with the Chinese legal system the moment they decide to enter the Chinese market. Legal aspects must be considered in relation to enterprise formation, investment approval, real estate, human resources, environmental protection,Intellectual Property,and taxation.
Shanghai is located in the Yangtze River Delta. The municipality sits on the southern edge of the estuary of the Yangtze River in the middle portion of the East China coast. It borders the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang to the north, south and west, and is bounded to the east by the East China Sea.
Shanghai is the commercial and financial center of China, and ranks 5th in the 2018 edition of the Global Financial Centres Index (and third most competitive in Asia after Singapore and Hong Kong) published by the Z/Yen Group and Qatar Financial Centre Authority. It also ranks the most expensive city to live in Mainland China, according to the study of Economist Intelligence Unit in 2017. It was the largest and most prosperous city in East Asia during the 1930s, and rapid re-development began in the 1990s. This is exemplified by the Pudong District, a former swampland reclaimed to serve as a pilot area for integrated economic reforms
There are 16 districts under Shanghai's administration: Songjiang, Changning, Fengxian, Jingan, Jiading, Jinshan, Baoshan, Yangpu, Xuhui, Qingpu, Huangpu, Hongkou, Minhang, Putuo, Pudong New Area, and Chongming.
Over the years, our lawyers have represented our clients in litigation and arbitration, and have offered legal services covering areas of international trade (import and export in China), foreign investment in Shanghai, M&A, intellectual property rights, corporate law, franchise, tax, financing, insurance, real estate, criminal law, etc.
We acts as permanent legal adviser for a number of Chinese or joint venture real estate companies such as Shenzhen Wenwei and Chongqing Huaxin, providing the clients legal services from the obtainment of land-use rights, to construction and sale of houses, mortgage on real estate and the conciliation, arbitration and litigation of real estate disputes.
Main Foreign-related Legal Practices
Litigation, Arbitration and ADR
Represent clients and handle the relevant legal affairs in the event that clients involve in litigation,arbitration, or clients are in need of alternative dispute resolution.
Legal Counsel
Clients may have enterprises (WFOE, joint venture, partnership and/or representative office) in China, or have constant business in China; therefore, clients may need legal counsel here in China to deal with various kinds of legal affairs such as legal compliance, employment, contract/agreement, share/shareholder, taxation,Customs, etc.. This service item is to be charged annually.
Contract, Agreement and Other Legal Document Drafting and Review
The documents include however without limitation to business/commercial contract/agreement,shareholder agreement, employment agreement, lease contract, NDA, articles of association.
Employment Legal Issues
We provide legal solutions on employment for both foreign employees and foreign-invested companies as employers, including being consulted on employment issues, drafting or reviewing employment agreements, negotiating on behalf of an involving party, representing an involving party in the proceedings of labor dispute arbitration or litigation.
Customs Legal Issues
We are familiar with customs laws and have sufficient experience in handling legal issues regarding HS code, tariff, quota and/or license required, customs clearance and the mechanism of customs operation.
Taxation Legal Issues
We provide legal advices and planning on individual income tax and enterprise taxes.
Foreign-related Divorce
In case: one party of the couple is Chinese, or the marriage was registered in China (mainland) or both of the couples are foreigners however at least one of them has lived in China consecutively for one year time or longer, then the divorce can be reached under the jurisdiction of a Chinese court. We handled many such foreign-related cases in our legal practices.
Due Diligence
For M&A, selecting a business partner and many other business activities, due diligence is necessary and substantially important. Here we have a work team including accounting and financial experts that is skilled in due diligence with effective work procedures.
Issuing Legal Report
When initiating or engaging in business in China, various legal problems may confuse foreign clients, we can study on the specific legal problems and issue study reports bringing forward legal comments, legal views, legal suggestions and legal solutions for our clients to clarify and solve those problems.
Issuing Lawyer Letter
A lawyer letter is to be sent to a concerning party under the request of the client for a certain legal purpose.
Attending Business Negotiation
In the event the foreign clients have important negotiations or meetings in China, and on-the-spot legal service is required, we can attend such negotiations or meetings under request and provide appropriate legal support.
Translation and Interpretation
From English into Chinese and vice versa, both in precise legal languages.
Business Entity Formation, Liquidation
Set up representative offices, partnership, joint ventures and wholly foreign owned enterprises (WFOE) for foreign clients. Liquidate the said entities in the event the clients decide to end the businesses.
Contact Tom Lee if you need Shanghai Experienced English Speaking Lawyers Attorney Offer Legal Counsel Litigation and Arbitration International Trade Foreign Investment Legal Services In Shanghai
