DEWOLF & PARTNERS’ permanent office in Shanghai is headed by our partner Mr. Philippe SNEL, who has been actively involved in China business since 2002 and has acquired extensive experience in advising western companies and entrepreneurs about the legal aspects of doing business in China.

To contact Philippe Snel :

Crystal Century Plaza, Rm. 7-A
567 Weihai Rd - 200041 Shanghai P.R.C.

Tel : +86 (21) 6288 8682
Fax : +86 (21) 6288 8681
Mobile : +86 136 8190 7287
Skype : philippesnel

Overtime our office in Shanghai has nurtured long-lasting relationships with Chinese lawfirms mainly in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Building on these relationships we have successfully developed a quite unique service solution which can meet most of our client’s needs for legal assistance in China.

This structure combines the local lawfirms’ competence and experience of the rapidly evolving Chinese legal environment with a thorough understanding of the western business practices and hands-on experience of the difficulties met by most European managers and entrepreneurs when doing business in or with China.

Our approach allows us to provide efficient and practical legal services which meet even the highest quality requirements to which all our clients are entitled.

Our team, consisting of European and Chinese trained and experienced business lawyers, is able to answer to most of all legal service needs of our clients either established in China or doing business in or with China.

OUR SERVICES IN CHINA

We pride ourselves on providing tailor-made services and solutions to our clients in relation to their specific Chinese business requirements.

Our intention is to become the privileged partner of our clients in China, helping them grow their business in this still complex environment.

We strive to build our office in China as a reliable beachhead for our clients, to help them gain smooth and safe access to the Chinese market and from which they can gradually implement their business projects.

As our client’s business in or with China develops, so does the scope of our services.

MARKET ENTRY ASSISTANCE

Our assistance to clients who are entering or are considering to enter the Chinese market includes :
   Analysis of the potential legal implications of the development of the client’s activity in China and legal feasibility study ;
   Recommendations as to the most suitable legal structure to meet the client’s specific needs ;
   Actual setting up of corporate structures in China and Hong Kong ;
   Representation before the local authorities in the process of business licence application or product registration procedures (SFIA, SFDA, SITD, AQSIQ etc...) ;
   Screening of potential business partner ;
   Assistance in negotiations with business partners during the establishment of a company or a joint venture with a local partner ; Together with our Chinese partners, we are also experienced in dealing with multinational mergers and acquisitions and other corporate and commercial transactions in China, including :corporate support services.

In particular, in collaboration with our local partners, we provide advice and support with respect to the following business matters :

  Corporate compliance and corporate housekeeping ;

  Employment engaging, disengaging and legal management of human resources ;

  Tax advice and representation with authorities ;

  Commercial contracts franchise, agency, licensing, etc... ;

  Intellectual Property trade mark and patent registrations ;

  Banking & Financing / Insurance

  Real Estate commercial or industrial leases or land use rights ;

DISPUTE RESOLUTION & LITIGATION

When a dispute arises our approach essentially favours negotiations and settlement solutions, this in line with traditional Chinese business practices in such a situation.

Often we will act as facilitator between the parties thus enabling them to build a new dialogue or at least to find an honourable resolution of the dispute. In this matter our clients have regularly benefited from our extended networks of relationships in China.

However, should negotiations fail to deliver an acceptable solution, we are able, together with our Chinese partners, to defend our clients’ interests before the local authorities and governmental agencies, as well as before the Chinese courts and tribunals or arbitral instances.

Our own lawyers have gained considerable experience in managing litigation files in China making sure that the best interest of the client is always well understood by the Chinese lawyer representing the client in Court.

FROM CHINA TO EUROPE

We also provide advice and assistance to Chinese clients who wish to enter or approach the European market.

We are able to meet practically all the needs of our Chinese clients in terms of both legal and general assistance, such as :

  Selecting and establishing a business structure ;

  Due diligence ;

  Negotiations ;

  Drafting of contracts ;

  Registering trademarks ;

  Immigration issues (work and residence permits, etc.) ;

Our lawyers regularly co-host Chinese business delegations in Belgium or elsewhere in Europe. Moreover, we are regularly consulted by the Belgian regional authorities with respect to the promotion of Chinese investment in Belgium.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE

For our clients who are already operating an established business in China, we strive to offer an all encompassing service which covers most of all their needs in terms of legal assistance.

Owing to our many established collaborations with Chinese lawfirms, we are able to provide a wide scope of services - in a cost efficient manner.

On the other hand, thanks to our permanent local presence, we deliver these services in a way that avoids many of the misunderstandings and frustrations which are often caused by the differences in expectancies and experience between the local Chinese lawyers and the corporate counsels or lawyers in the home country.

Thus our approach guarantees that our clients will be receiving the best possible legal assistance in an affordable and efficient manner, allowing our clients to concentrate their investment in China on their core business.

In particular, in collaboration with our local partners, we provide advice and support with respect to the following business matters :

   Corporate compliance and corporate housekeeping ;
   Employment engaging, disengaging and legal management of human resources ;
   Tax advice and representation with authorities ;
   Commercial contracts franchise, agency, licensing, etc... ;
   Intellectual Property trade mark and patent registrations ;
   Banking & Financing / Insurance
   Real Estate commercial or industrial leases or land use rights.