What foreign companies need to know before heading to
court
Filing a lawsuit in China can help enforce contracts and recover
losses—but it's not as familiar or predictable as
litigation in Western jurisdictions. From procedural quirks to
cultural norms, navigating the Chinese court system takes
preparation, patience, and local know-how.
If you're considering legal action in China, here are eight
things you need to know:
1. Document Authentication is Required
Chinese courts typically require foreign
documents—contracts, licenses, powers of attorney, company
certificates—to be notarized, legalized, and translated into
Chinese before they're accepted.
With China's accession to The Hague Convention, an apostille
is now accepted for document authentication (after notarization).
But the process still takes time and needs to be planned well in
advance.
