Dan Harris Avoiding and Winning China Disputes

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    Dan HarrisHarris & Moure, pllc

    USA| China

    www.harrismoure.com www.chinalawblog.com

    Avoiding and WinningChina Disputes

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    Two Keys

    Good Partner

    Good Contract

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    Good Partner

    Due Diligence

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    Good Partner - 2

    Distrust all company info.

    Look Around/Ask Around.

    Forget the paper/Scrutinize the paper. Do not delegate/Delegate.

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    Good Contract

    Why Bother?

    What About Corruption?

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    Good Contract 2

    1. A real contract - in writing.2. One language 3. Incredibly specific. Excruciating detail.4. Think liquidated damages5. Aorneys fees? 6. Signed AND Sealed7. Who/What/Where

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    Suing Outside China

    Chinese courts have no obligation to

    enforce US or UK or Canadian or

    Australian judgments- and they dont.Chinese courts are generally required

    to enforce international arbitral awards.

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    Suing In China

    Chinese Law? Document-based Moderately formal Cheap and fast. Unless. Nobody seles.

    Very low damages Injunctive relief

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    Arbitration

    Where will arbitration occur? Choice of Law? Institutional or ad hoc? Fees? Language? Arbitrators nationality? Enforcing Award?

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    Arbitration 2

    Arbitration Law of China, Article 16 The following contents shall be included in

    an arbitration agreement:

    1. The expression of the parties' wishto submit to arbitration;2.The maers to be arbitrated; and

    3.The Arbitration Commissionselected by the parties.

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    Arbitrating Outside China

    Hong Kong, Singapore, Vancouver, London,

    Geneva, New York, etc. China does not recognize ad hoc arbitrations

    (HK exception?). Enforcement in China under New York

    Convention: Geing beer.

    Best on quality and fairness Are you Chinese and dont know it?

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    Arbitrating In China: CIETAC

    Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen Must be by consent. Can occur outside China. Has own panel of arbitrators (25% foreign),

    but can appoint outside the panel ifCEITAC Chairman agrees.

    Chinese nationals unless parties agree andpush for foreigners.

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    CIETAC - 2

    Very limited discovery. Short, informal, document-focused hearings. Tribunal shall consider international

    practices and principles of fairness and

    reasonableness.

    This is important. Foreign counsel permied, except on maers

    involving Chinese law (?). Chinese language used unless parties agree

    otherwise. Three arbitrators unless parties agree

    otherwise.

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    CIETAC 3

    Confidential Award is final.

    The losing party usually pays costs, butnot aorney fees, unless in contract. Intermediate Peoples Court enforces

    the award with limited grounds torefuse.

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    CIETAC - 4 Contract Clause

    Specify English language. Specify non-Chinese arbitrator, or two

    or three. Think about discovery. Think about injunctive relief- carve out. Think about third parties. Service/Notice

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    Dan HarrisHarris & Moure, pllc

    USA| China

    www.harrismoure.com www.chinalawblog.com