Shanghai-based partner Wu Ming recently successfully represented clients in an international trade dispute and an offshore anti-money laundering investigation in the UK.
Usually, Chinese businesses would opt for domestic courts or arbitration institutions such as CIETAC or HKIAC to settle international trade disputes with foreign clients. However, in cases where an arbitration clause is absent and the place of incorporation and principal assets of the opposing party is located in the UK, Chinese businesses would have to file a lawsuit in a UK court after negotiation fails. Commercial lawsuits represented by British lawyers from beginning to end would be extremely costly, due to differences between Chinese and British law and court systems.
Wu’s team worked with British lawyers to apply flexibly British civil lawsuit rules in a bid to settle the dispute for his client.
Wu’s team has also successfully represented a client in an anti-money laundering investigation arising out of the client’s investment in the UK. The case drew the attention of British media, including BBC. Wu retained solicitors from a top British firm and barristers on behalf of the client. Together they had an in-depth analysis of British law, produced hundreds of pages of certification reports, cooperated with the British police and prosecution and defended the client in a criminal court trial. Their efforts paid off—the presiding judge found the client innocent and dismissed accusations against him.
Attorneys from Dacheng’s Shanghai office have, in recently years, accumulated much experience in supporting practice of British law for clients involved in offshore investment and trade and have won recognition from clients.
