Drafting governing law and dispute resolution clauses to be used in China-related commercial contracts is not straightforward, because Chinese law restricts the types of clauses that can be used. Unless care is taken at the drafting stage, parties to China-related contracts may find themselves with dispute resolution provisions which are unenforceable, or which result in a less robust dispute resolution process than would be desirable.

In response to the need for guidance on such clauses, Herbert Smith's market-leading greater-China dispute resolution practice has for some years published a guide to dispute resolution and governing law clauses in China-related commercial contracts. This popular publication is designed to help in-house counsel to negotiate the restrictions, avoid traps and draft clauses that work.

The fourth edition of the guide is now available, and takes account of recent developments including new caselaw, legislation and institutional rules.

Click here for an electronic copy of this publication. To order a printed copy, please click here. If you would like to be contacted by our greater China dispute resolution team or to arrange a tailored briefing, please click here.

Key contacts

Simon Chapman KC photo

Simon Chapman KC

Managing Partner, Disputes, Asia and Australia, Hong Kong

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Andrew Cannon

Partner, Head of International Arbitration, London and Paris

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Kathryn Sanger

Partner, Head of Disputes, China and Japan and Head of Private Capital, Asia, Hong Kong

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Christian Leathley

Partner, Head of International Arbitration, US, London and New York

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Craig Tevendale

Partner, Head of Energy Sector, London

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Gitta Satryani

Managing Partner, Singapore Office, Singapore