Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Do you speak English, or can I call you in English?

The website and written consultations are available in English, and I also work in Chinese. I do not provide spoken English consultations, telephone advice in English, live interpretation or courtroom interpreting. Written communication keeps the record precise and lets both sides check translations. Where interpretation is needed, an independent interpreter can be arranged separately.

Can you help me if I am not in China, or cannot travel to China?

Yes. Consultations, document review and most preparatory work are handled remotely by email and written messages. For court proceedings, a power of attorney signed outside China generally needs notarisation and an apostille or consular legalisation. I confirm the exact requirement before you arrange it.

Do I need to attend court in person?

Not usually. Counsel conducts the filings and appears at hearings in Chinese. Whether a personal appearance would help in a particular case is assessed on the facts, and you will be told if it is worth considering.

Can you advise on my visa, residence permit or immigration status?

No. Immigration, visa and residence-permit matters, and nationality questions, are outside the scope of this practice. Advice here is limited to civil and commercial matters governed by PRC law.

Can you advise on the law of my own country?

No. I advise only on the law of the People's Republic of China. Questions about foreign law, foreign tax or the recognition of a Chinese judgment in another country should be put to a lawyer qualified in that jurisdiction.

Can you guarantee that I will win, or that I will recover my money?

No. No lawyer can guarantee the outcome of a negotiation, a claim or an enforcement process. What I provide is an assessment of the legal position, the evidence, the procedural risks and the realistic options.

What should I send for a first enquiry?

A short written summary: who is involved, what happened and when, the amount in dispute, what documents exist, and what you want to achieve. Redacted copies are enough at this stage. Please do not send originals, passwords, bank credentials or highly sensitive personal data before an engagement is confirmed.

How are fees agreed?

After the first exchange I confirm whether the matter is within scope and send a written engagement letter setting out the work and the fee arrangement. No fees are charged and no work begins until you accept it. Fees are not quoted on this website because they depend on the work involved.

How quickly will I receive a reply?

The response time is confirmed in the engagement letter. Urgent matters with a filing deadline should be marked clearly in the subject line of your email, with the date of the deadline.

Is my information kept confidential?

Once an engagement is confirmed, the matter is handled under professional confidentiality duties. Before that point, please treat an email as an ordinary business communication and do not send confidential material. This website uses no enquiry form, no tracking cookies and no third-party analytics.

Do you act for companies as well as individuals?

Yes, for foreign-invested and small foreign businesses on civil and commercial matters in China, as well as for individuals. Criminal defence and regulated financial or securities work are outside the practice.

What if my problem is not listed on this website?

Send a short written summary. If it falls outside the practice, I will say so plainly rather than accept an engagement I cannot properly perform; where appropriate I will suggest what kind of adviser or authority to approach instead.