Many international clients want to understand what happens next. This page explains the process, the timeline, and the fee models in plain language.
Describe the dispute. We reply within one business day to identify the information needed for an initial assessment, at no cost and no obligation.
You sign a written engagement with a clear fee plan. We identify the required authority documents, translations and Apostille or legalization route, assess asset leads, and prepare the appropriate filing.
We seek property preservation, run the hearings, manage evidence, and push for judgment or settlement — keeping you informed at every turn.
We enforce the judgment, trace assets where available, and help transfer recovered funds to the lawful beneficiary — navigating PRC foreign-exchange controls along the way.
Plan by procedural milestones. Foreign-related civil cases are not subject to the ordinary first- and second-instance trial time limits under Civil Procedure Law Article 287. Service, evidence, appeals and assets affect the schedule.
Court docketing; pre-judgment asset freeze can be sought immediately after filing.
Defendant responds; both sides exchange evidence and written arguments.
One or more court sessions; court-annexed mediation offered throughout.
Review the judgment and applicable appeal deadline; a party without a mainland China domicile generally has 30 days from service to appeal.
Apply for enforcement and pursue legally available assets. Payment depends on reachable assets, competing claims and the enforcement process.
We do not present hourly billing as our standard model for China-side commercial disputes. After reviewing the matter, we recommend a written fee structure that fits the claim, the procedural stage, and the recovery objective.
For a defined scope or litigation stage, such as evidence preparation, filing, first instance, or enforcement. The agreed attorney fee is stated in writing before the work begins, so the legal-service cost is predictable.
For selected recovery matters, a true full-risk arrangement may mean no attorney fee is payable at the outset. The agreed fee becomes payable only when the agreed objective is achieved — for example, a judgment, settlement, withdrawal, or the client’s receipt of funds. Because the firm assumes more payment risk, this success-based fee is normally higher than under a hybrid structure.
A lower base fee is paid for the agreed initial work or litigation stage, together with a success-based component if the agreed objective is achieved. The client shares part of the initial cost, so the success-based component is normally lower than under a full-contingency arrangement.
The amounts above are attorney fees only. They do not include third-party or official charges such as court filing fees, preservation fees, enforcement fees, notarization, Apostille or legalization, translation, appraisal, service, travel, or preservation-insurance costs. These items are paid separately as required and are identified in the written fee plan. Any contingency arrangement is subject to the applicable PRC rules, local implementation requirements, and the specific type of legal matter.
Free, within one business day. No obligation, no jargon, no pressure.
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