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 & Partners, Greater China Region 2022

Band 1 in Aviation: Finance (International Firms)
Band 1 in Banking & Finance (International Firms)
Band 1 in Banking & Finance: Leveraged & Acquisition Finance (International Firms)
Band 1 in Capital Markets: Debt (International Firms)
Band 1 in Capital Markets: Equity (International Firms)
Band 1 in Competition/Antitrust (International Firms)
Band 1 in Corporate/M&A: The Elite (International Firms)
Band 1 in Financial Services (International Firms)
Band 1 in Investment Funds: Hedge funds (International Firms)
Band 1 in Projects & Infrastructure (International Firms)
Band 1 in Restructuring/ Insolvency (International Firms)

Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022, China

Tier 1 in Antitrust and Competition: Foreign Firms
Tier 1 in Banking and finance: Foreign Firms
Tier 1 in Corporate and M&A: Foreign Firms
Tier 1 in Investment Funds: Foregin Firms
Tier 1 in Private Equity: Foreign Firms
Tier 1 in Projects and energy: Foreign Firms

IFLR 1000 Asia Pacific, 31st edition (2020/2021), China

Tier 1 in Banking: Foreign Firms
Tier 1 in Capital markets: Foreign Firms
Tier 1 in Private Equity: Foreign Firms
Tier 1 in Project Development: Foreign Firms
Tier 1 in Project Finance: Foreign Firms
Tier 1 in M&A (including Private Equity): Foreign Firms

Client comments

"Their expertise is second to none"

Chambers & Partners, Greater China Region 2022 – Aviation: Finance (International Firms)

"able to deliver legal services and advice in a highly professional and stable manner."

Chambers & Partners, Greater China Region 2022 – Banking & Finance (International Firms)

"Generally speaking, Clifford Chance outperforms others significantly in terms of acting as either issuer's or underwriters’ counsel, execution and maintenance of the deal timetable, handling sophisticated structures and restrictions from regulators and liaising with different counterparties smoothly."

Chambers & Partners, Greater China Region 2022 – Capital Markets (International Firms)

"they can fully explore the logic behind the case, and the client's needs, and customise their legal services accordingly."

Chambers & Partners, Greater China Region 2022 – Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms)

"The team has been very responsive, professional and cost-efficient, advising on key legal documents, strategic moves and possible solutions."

Chamber & Partners, Greater China Region 2022 – Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms)

"As the leading firm in the industry, they are experienced and professional, which helps expedite the legal process."

Chambers & Partners, Greater China Region 2022 – Financial Services (International Firms)

"Clifford Chance has always delivered exceptional client service,"

Chambers & Partners, Greater China Region 2022 – Real Estate (International Firms)

"Clifford Chance are renowned for bank-led restructuring."

Chambers & Partner, Greater China Region 2022 – 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:

International Firm of the Year
IFLR Asia Pacific Awards 2022
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