Chinese dispute powerhouse Zhong Lun Law Firm dominates the litigation space with its solid experience in handling a wide range of domestic and overseas litigation and arbitration matters. The firm’s litigation bench is stocked top-to-bottom with talent ranging from senior statesmen to up-and-comers, all of whom elicit praise from peers and appreciation from clients. Its practitioners have expertise spanning a range of industries including banking and financial services, energy, real estate and manufacturing. Prominently active in significant cross-border dispute cases, the firm is also known to have appeared in the largest number of cases before the Supreme People’s Court of China. It also provides a top-tier international arbitration service seated across the globe.
Prominent figures include commercial disputes star Lijun Cao, insolvency lawyer Shengfeng Xu, regulatory expert Gary Gao, international arbitration specialist Huawei Sun, employment focused Carol Zhu and construction lawyer Yueping Zhou. Other notable lawyers include Changyu Fu, Baosheng Zhang and Wei Bao.
The firm represented China Energy Engineering Group Yunnan Electric Power Design Institute in a complex asset recovery matter involving the Menghai Photovoltaic Power Station. Partner Li Hao and senior associate Wei Wang secured full recovery of principal payments and penalties from Xishuangbanna Hengding New Energy Development. The case required navigation of specialised energy sector issues including electricity tariffs and operating rights, while managing competing creditor claims and potential bankruptcy proceedings. The team obtained a debt in rem ruling and successfully executed the transfer of power station ownership, achieving full recovery despite multiple creditor interventions.
Building on its infrastructure dispute resolution capabilities, the firm also achieved a landmark outcome in representing a major private sewage treatment company in a complex administrative agreement dispute with the Xiu Ning County Government regarding price adjustment rights under a 30-year BOT franchise agreement. Partner Zhiqiang Wei successfully navigated multiple rounds of litigation before the Huangshan Intermediate People's Court and Anhui Higher People's Court, establishing that local governments must respond to contractually mandated price adjustment applications. The case clarified administrative authorities' obligations under franchise agreements following the Supreme People's Court's 2019 Provisions on Administrative Agreement Cases. The matter resolved fundamental questions about government performance obligations in administrative agreements and the intersection between contractual rights and administrative authority.
Further demonstrating the firm's regulatory expertise, the firm represented Dongxing Securities Company in a significant CSRC investigation regarding its role in an alleged fraudulent STAR Market IPO. Partners Baosheng Zhang, Wei Zhou, and Ruixuan Li applied China's administrative enforcement commitment system, creating a notable instance of commitment system acceptance by the CSRC under the 2022 Measures. The team's approach combined securities representative litigation defence with regulatory investigation response, establishing new parameters for intermediary liability and regulatory compliance in China's securities market supervision framework.
In a groundbreaking achievement for securities regulation, the same team led by partners Baosheng Zhang, Wei Zhou, and Ruixuan Li represented China Securities Co in the landmark Amethystum Storage case, securing the first-ever commitment case under China's securities administrative law following the implementation of the new Securities Law. This matter, recognised among the ‘Top Ten Typical Cases of Investor Protection in 2023’ by the China Securities Regulatory Commission, established pioneering precedents for administrative settlements in securities enforcement. The team's innovative approach, combining advance compensation mechanisms with the commitment system, effectively protected investor interests while mitigating administrative penalty risks for intermediary institutions, marking a significant milestone in China's evolving securities regulatory framework.
The firm’s recent client roster includes Avic Trust Co, Hangzhou Yuzhan Industrial Co, National Energy Shaanxi Hydropower Co and Shanghai Electric Power Engineering Co.
The firm recently experienced several notable changes within its team. Yueping (Cindy) Zhou, a partner, departed the firm. In June 2024, Haijun Zhang joined as a partner, bringing expertise in litigation and arbitration, construction and project development, and debt restructuring and non-performing assets. In March 2024, Xiongxin Xie and Wen Dai were promoted to senior counsel, both specialising in litigation and arbitration, as well as construction and project development. Xiongxin also focuses on debt restructuring and non-performing assets.
Client feedback
"Very professional, well-prepared, and thoughtful in developing strategies and positioning in the client's best interest." – Commercial and transactions
"Specialised in commercial arbitration." – Commercial and transactions
"The team excels in in-depth analysis and is very skilled in strategy." – International arbitration
Wen Dai
"Wen Dai has a very strong ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters."
"A leading lawyer, highly professional, performed exceptionally well during arbitration proceedings, with the ability to converse in both English and Chinese."
Lichun Gao
"Provides professional opinions on difficult problems in the field of construction engineering, is clear throughout the case-handling process, and is serious and responsible in his work."
Xiuling Lin
"Xiuling Lin has sharp commercial sense. She can provide a comprehensive view of transactions based on limited information, which is essential in handling complicated commercial litigation. She helps us uncover the facts behind account books and skilfully applies her legal knowledge to develop the best strategy for a case."
Xiangwen Liu
"The primary lawyer I have worked with is Xiangwen Liu. Since 2019, Liu has led his legal team to provide legal services for establishing and improving our compliance management system. It is now the fifth year of our collaboration."
