China

We have been in China for more than three decades. We use our know-how, experience, and full-service capability to get the best possible results for clients.

Our view has always been that if you want to succeed in China then you have to know China well. We've had a Hong Kong office since 1980 and we were the first international law firm to open an office in Beijing in 1985, followed by our Shanghai office in 1993. We have since built a full-service capability - our team includes lawyers in corporate/M&A, capital markets, banking and finance, real estate, employment, intellectual property, competition/antitrust, anti-corruption, dispute resolution and financial regulatory. We find that international and Chinese clients value this on the ground commitment because it delivers results. They can see that our in-China capability is built on the solid know-how that comes from more than three decades of experience.

We work with international and Chinese clients

Chinese clients know that we understand their business culture and that our international network gives them the reach and depth to make the most of international opportunities, whether it's an investment in a new energy project, expanding into a new market, or raising capital in foreign markets.

Greater China and beyond – China Desks

All three of our Greater China offices (Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai) often work together on inbound and outbound deals, and our Hong Kong office has a dedicated mainland China team.

We have also established the China Desks, a cross-practice network of over 60 lawyers with mainland China experience within the firm, to make sure that Chinese clients get the full benefit of our global network. These China Desk lawyers give clients a first point of contact in their own jurisdictions. We have desks in Africa, the Americas, the Asia Pacific region, Europe and the Middle East.

Recent highlights

Directory and client comments

Chambers Asia Pacific 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

Tier One in Aviation: Finance (International Firms)
Tier One in Banking & Finance (International Firms)
Tier One in Banking & Finance: Leveraged & Acquisition Finance (International Firms)
Tier One in Capital Markets: Debt (International Firms)
Tier One in Capital Markets: Equity (International Firms)
Tier One in Competition/Antitrust (International Firms)
Tier One in Corporate/M&A: The Elite (International Firms)
Tier One in Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms)
Tier One in Financial Services (International Firms)
Tier One in Investment Funds (International Firms)
Tier One in Private Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)
Tier One in Projects & Infrastructure (International Firms)
Tier One in Restructuring/ Insolvency (International Firms)

Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

Tier One in Banking and finance: Foreign Firms
Tier One in Corporate and M&A: Foreign Firms
Tier One in Private equity/venture capital: Foreign Firms
Tier One in Projects and energy: Foreign Firms

IFLR 1000 (2018, 2019, 2020)

Tier One in Banking and finance: Foreign Firms
Tier One in Capital markets: Foreign Firms
Tier One in Private Equity: Foreign Firms
Tier One in Project Development: Foreign Firms
Tier One in Project Finance: Foreign Firms
Tier One in M&A (including Private Equity): Foreign Firms

Client comments

"They are responsive and always have a can-do attitude"
Chambers Asia Pacific 2021 – Aviation: Finance (International Firms)
"they are the strongest firm I have worked with. All of the lawyers in Clifford Chance are very strong."
Chambers Asia Pacific 2021 – Banking & Finance (International Firms)
"execution, handling complex structures and restrictions from the regulators and liaising with different counterparties smoothly."
Chambers Asia Pacific 2021 – Capital Markets
"you'd want to go with them for arbitration"
Chambers Asia Pacific 2021 – Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms)
"I am very satisfied with and have benefited immensely from the advice and help rendered by Clifford Chance," adding: "The team's ability to understand our needs and offer appropriate legal strategies stands out from other firms; it always provides succinct and perceptive analysis based on solid research."
Chamber Asia Pacific 2021 – Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms)
The practice "has a long history in Hong Kong, so understands the developments that have shaped current regulations and the SFC's mindset," adding: "Its size and experience also mean it has its finger on the pulse of industry sentiment and practices."
Chambers Asia Pacific 2021 – Financial Services (International Firms)
"It is technically good, accommodating of our timing and transactional needs, and helpful in recommending alternatives. I regard it very highly in terms of attentiveness."
Chambers Asia Pacific 2021 – Investment Funds
"Clifford Chance can fully understand our concerns and business purposes, and always offer us constructive advice from both a legal and commercial perspective."
Chambers Asia Pacific 2021 – Private Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)
"Their senior staff and associates and senior lawyers are very diligent and professional."
Chambers Asia Pacific 2021 – Projects & Infrastructure (International Firms)
"It is pragmatic in its approach to get to a commercial outcome for its clients."
Chambers Asia Pacific 2021 – Restructuring/Insolvency (International Firms)

Awards

Our China practice frequently wins industry awards from various independent legal publications for its extensive experience and ever-growing prominence.

As an acknowledgement of our market-leading position in China, we have been awarded:

Banking Law Firm of the Year
Asian Legal Business China Law Awards 2021
International Arbitration Law Firm of the Year
Asian Legal Business China Law Awards 2021
International Law Firm of the Year
Asian Legal Business China Law Awards 2021
Asia Pacifc Law Firm of the Year
Chambers Asia Pacific Awards 2020
China (International Firms) Corporate & Finance Firm of the Year
Chambers Asia Pacific Awards 2021, 2020
China practice of the year - International law firm
IFLR Asia Pacific Awards 2020
International Law Firm of the Year
IFLR Asia Awards 2019
International Law Firm of the Year
Asia Legal Awards 2019