What the work covers

Chinese employment law is protective of employees and procedural. The outcome of a termination often turns on documentation created long before the decision was taken: the contract, the handbook, performance records and the notices given.

We advise employers and senior executives on the full employment cycle, from offer and contract design to restructuring and dispute resolution, and coordinate visa and work-permit questions for foreign staff.

  • Employment contracts, offers and probation terms
  • Employee handbooks, policies and disciplinary procedures
  • Termination, redundancy and severance planning
  • Labour arbitration and court proceedings
  • Foreign-employee contracts, secondment and work-permit coordination
  • Restructuring, transfers and post-merger integration

When clients call us

  • A termination is being considered and the company wants to assess the risk before acting.
  • An employee has filed a labour arbitration claim or raised a formal complaint.
  • A new handbook or policy needs to be rolled out in a way that will be enforceable.

Preparing for a first consultation

Bringing the documents below to the first meeting usually makes the time more productive. If some are missing, send what you have and we will identify the gaps.

  • The employment contract, offer letter and any amendments.
  • The handbook, policies and performance or disciplinary records.
  • The termination documents, notices and correspondence.
  • A chronology of the key dates and decisions.

How consultation fees work

A short call to the 24/7 line is free and is used to identify the next step. If you need more than that, we arrange a scheduled consultation. In-person consultations at our Jing’an office are charged by the hour; the hourly basis and the expected duration are confirmed in writing before the appointment.

In-person consultation

Billed by the hour

  • Review of the documents you send in advance
  • The in-person meeting, up to the time booked
  • A written summary of the main points and next steps

The hourly rate, the expected duration and the scope of the consultation are confirmed in writing before the appointment. VAT, official fees, translation, notarisation and other disbursements are charged separately. Matter work that follows a consultation — drafting, filings, negotiation or court work — is scoped and quoted separately. How consultations work.

Questions we are asked

Can a foreign employee be dismissed in the same way as a local employee?

The same statutory framework generally applies, but the work permit and residence permit add a separate layer. The employer must also consider the immigration consequences and the timing of any permit cancellation.

Do you act for employers or employees?

Mainly employers and senior executives. We carry out a conflict check before accepting an instruction, so the same matter is never handled on both sides.

General information. This page describes the scope of our practice and does not constitute legal advice. The basis on which time is charged is confirmed in writing before work begins. No outcome can be guaranteed.