广东高院：涉外涉港澳台民商事诉讼程序问题

广东省高级人民法院

关于涉外涉港澳台民商事诉讼程序问题的解答

为便利中外当事人在人民法院参加诉讼，根据相关法律和司法解释的规定，结合涉外涉港澳台民商事审判工作实践，制定本问题解答。

一、适用范围

Q1：哪些案件属于涉外涉港澳台民商事案件？

涉外民商事案件是指具有涉外因素的民商事案件，包括：

（一）当事人一方或者双方是外国人、无国籍人、外国企业或者组织的；

（二）当事人一方或者双方的经常居所地在中华人民共和国领域外的；

（三）标的物在中华人民共和国领域外的；

（四）产生、变更或者消灭民事关系的法律事实发生在中华人民共和国领域外的；

（五）可以认定为涉外民商事案件的其他情形。

涉港澳台民商事案件是指具有涉港澳台因素的民商事案件，相关标准可参照上述涉外民商事案件的规定。

二、管辖

Q2：广东省各级人民法院管辖第一审涉外涉港澳台民商事案件的诉讼标的额是多少？

（一）广东省高级人民法院管辖诉讼标的额人民币50亿元以上（包含本数）的第一审涉外涉港澳台民商事案件。

（二）广州市两级人民法院的管辖标准如下：

1.广州市中级人民法院管辖诉讼标的额为人民币4000万元以上（包含本数）的第一审涉外涉港澳台民商事案件。

2.广州市越秀区人民法院、广州市南沙区人民法院（广东自由贸易区南沙片区人民法院）集中管辖诉讼标的额人民币4000万元以下（不含本数）的四类第一审涉外涉港澳台商事案件，包括：（1）涉担保物权纠纷案件（限主合同为商事、金融业务的纠纷），（2）商事合同纠纷案件，（3）涉公司、合伙企业纠纷案件，（4）证券、期货、信托、保险及其他金融衍生产品等纠纷案件。

其中，广州市越秀区人民法院集中管辖广州市海珠区、荔湾区、白云区、花都区、从化区人民法院辖区的上述四类案件，广州市南沙区人民法院（广东自由贸易区南沙片区人民法院）集中管辖广州市天河区、黄埔区、番禺区、增城区人民法院的上述四类案件。

其他不属于集中管辖范围的诉讼标的额4000万元以下（不含本数）的第一审涉外涉港澳台民商事案件，由广州市各基层人民法院管辖。

（三）深圳市两级人民法院的管辖标准如下：

1.深圳市中级人民法院管辖诉讼标的额人民币4000万元以上（包含本数）的第一审涉外涉港澳台民事案件，各基层人民法院管辖诉讼标的额4000万元以下（不含本数）的第一审涉外涉港澳台民事案件。

2.深圳市中级人民法院管辖诉讼标的额人民币5000万元以上（包含本数）的第一审涉外涉港澳台商事案件，深圳前海合作区人民法院集中管辖深圳市辖区诉讼标的额人民币5000万元以下（不含本数）第一审涉外涉港澳台商事案件。

（四）珠海市中级人民法院管辖诉讼标的额人民币4000万元以上（包含本数）的第一审涉外涉港澳台民商事案件，横琴粤澳深度合作区人民法院集中管辖珠海市辖区诉讼标的额人民币4000万元以下（不含本数）的第一审涉外涉港澳台民商事案件。

（五）除广州、深圳、珠海市以外，其他地市中级人民法院管辖诉讼标的额人民币4000万元以上（包含本数）的第一审涉外涉港澳台民商事案件，基层人民法院管辖诉讼标的额4000万元以下（不含本数）的第一审涉外涉港澳台民商事案件。

（六）广州海事法院管辖诉讼标的额人民币50亿元以下（不含本数）的第一审涉外涉港澳台海事海商纠纷案件。

涉外涉港澳台知识产权纠纷案件、涉外涉港澳台生态环境损害赔偿纠纷案件以及涉外涉港澳台环境民事公益诉讼案件不适用上述标准，相关管辖标准可参见《最高人民法院关于第一审知识产权民事、行政案件管辖的若干规定》《最高人民法院关于印发基层人民法院管辖第一审知识产权民事、行政案件标准的通知》《最高人民法院关于北京、上海、广州知识产权法院案件管辖的规定》《最高人民法院关于调整地方各级人民法院管辖第一审知识产权民事案件标准的通知》《最高人民法院关于同意深圳市两级法院继续管辖专利等知识产权案件的批复》《最高人民法院关于审理生态环境损害赔偿案件的若干规定（试行）》《最高人民法院关于审理环境民事公益诉讼案件适用法律若干问题的解释》《广东省高级人民法院关于调整环境民事公益诉讼集中管辖法院及管辖区域范围的通知》等相关规定。

三、诉讼主体

Q3：外国公民、港澳台地区居民参加诉讼时，提交的身份证明文件有哪些类型？

可以提交护照、港澳（永久性）居民身份证、港澳或台湾居民居住证、港澳居民来往内地通行证、台湾居民来往大陆通行证等有效身份证件。

Q4：外国企业或者组织参加诉讼时，提交的身份证明文件有什么要求？

外国企业或者组织应当提交身份证明文件和代表该企业或者组织参加诉讼的人有权作为代表人参加诉讼的证明文件，并办理如下手续：

（一）外国企业或者组织的所在国属于《取消外国公文书认证要求的公约》缔约国的，上述证明文件应经所在国公证机关公证，并附加证明书；

（二）外国企业或者组织的所在国不属于《取消外国公文书认证要求的公约》缔约国的，上述证明文件应经所在国公证机关公证，并经中华人民共和国驻该国使领馆认证；

（三）外国企业或者组织的所在国与我国没有建立外交关系的，上述证明文件可以经该国公证机关公证，经与我国有外交关系的第三国驻该国使领馆认证，再转由我国驻该第三国使领馆认证。

Q5：港澳台企业或者组织参加诉讼时，提交的身份证明文件有什么要求？

港澳台企业或者组织应当提交身份证明文件和代表该企业或者组织参加诉讼的人有权作为代表人参加诉讼的证明文件，并办理如下手续：

（一）香港企业或者组织的上述证明文件，须经中国委托公证人（香港）出具公证文书，并经中国法律服务（香港）有限公司审核后加章转递；

（二）澳门企业或者组织的上述证明文件，须经中国委托公证人（澳门）出具公证文书，并经中国法律服务（澳门）有限公司核验后加盖核验章；

（三）台湾企业或者组织的上述证明文件，应在台湾地区办理公证，并由海峡交流基金会将公证书副本寄送广东省公证协会，当事人将公证书正本送交广东省公证协会进行核验。

四、诉讼代理

Q6：外国当事人可以委托谁担任代理人参加诉讼？

外国人、无国籍人、外国企业和组织需要委托律师代理诉讼的，必须委托中华人民共和国律师。

外国当事人可以委托本国人为诉讼代理人，也可以委托本国律师以非律师身份担任诉讼代理人。

Q7：港澳台当事人可以委托谁担任代理人参加诉讼？

港澳台当事人需要委托律师代理诉讼的，可以委托内地律师；港澳当事人还可以委托粤港澳大湾区律师作为律师代理诉讼。

港澳台当事人可以委托其当地律师以非律师身份担任诉讼代理人。

Q8：当事人如何办理授权委托手续？

外国或港澳台当事人可以在境外出具授权委托书，并办理相应的公证手续，具体要求与Q4、Q5一致。

外国或港澳台当事人可以在境内签署授权委托书，并经境内公证机构公证。

港澳当事人委托粤港澳大湾区律师代理诉讼的，可以直接出具授权委托书。

持有台湾居民居住证的台湾地区居民委托大陆律师或者其他人代理诉讼的，可以直接出具授权委托书。

Q9：除了公证以外，当事人还可以通过其他方式办理委托手续吗？

外国公民、港澳台居民可以在人民法院法官的见证下签署授权委托书，无需再办理公证或其他证明手续。

外国、港澳台企业或组织的代表人持其个人身份证件、经过公证及相关手续的授权文件（如董事会或股东会决议），可以在人民法院法官的见证下签署授权委托书，委托律师或者其他诉讼代理人代理诉讼。

外国公民、港澳台居民可以通过“AOL授权见证通”等在线视频方式办理授权委托见证手续。

五、答辩、上诉期限

Q10：涉外涉港澳台民商事案件的答辩、上诉期限是多久？

当事人在中华人民共和国内地没有住所的，其答辩期、上诉期为30天；当事人在中华人民共和国境内有住所的，答辩期、上诉期为15天。

六、证据材料

Q11：对于境外形成的证据有什么证明要求？

境外形成的证据原则上无需办理公证、认证或其他证明手续，但以下情形除外：

（一）境外形成的涉及身份关系的证据，根据所在国是否属于《取消外国公文书认证要求的公约》缔约国，办理相应的公证（附加证明书）或公证认证手续；

（二）境外形成的公文书证，应当经所在国公证机关证明或履行相应的证明手续，但是可以通过互联网方式核查公文书证的真实性或者双方当事人对公文书证的真实性均无异议的除外。

当事人提交的书面材料是外文的，应同时提供中文翻译件。

七、诉讼翻译

Q12：当事人可以使用外语参加诉讼吗？如果不会中文怎么办？

人民法院审理涉外民商事案件，使用中华人民共和国通用的语言、文字。当事人要求提供翻译的，可以提供，但是相关费用需由当事人承担。

八、域外法律查明

Q13:什么情况下当事人需要向人民法院提供域外法律？

当事人选择适用外国或港澳台法律的，应当提供该域外法律。

依照法律规定应当使用域外法律的，当事人可以提供该域外法律。

Q14:当事人提供的域外法律有什么要求？

当事人应当提交该域外法律的具体规定并说明获得途径、效力情况、与案件争议的关联性等。域外法律为判例法的，还应当提交判例全文。

Q15:当事人有什么途径可以查明域外法律？

当事人可以通过粤港澳大湾区法律查明平台查询域外法律，或者通过委托法律查明服务机构、中外法律专家等途径查明域外法律。

九、线上诉讼服务

Q16:当事人可以进行线上跨境诉讼吗？

当事人可以通过广东法院诉讼服务网或者粤公正微信小程序线上参与跨境诉讼。当事人在上述线上平台注册并核验身份之后，可以进行网上立案、网上开庭、提交证据等一系列诉讼活动。

十、其他解纷途径

Q17：除了诉讼，还有其他解决纠纷的途径吗？

当事人可以通过调解、仲裁等方式解决民商事纠纷。

当事人可以通过广东法院诉讼服务网调解平台查询调解员名册，在诉讼前进行调解；也可以在诉讼中由法官主持调解。

当事人选择通过仲裁解决纠纷，双方之间应当存在合法有效的仲裁协议。

 

The High People’s Court of Guangdong Province

Questions and Answers on Procedural Issues in Civil and Commercial Cases Involving Foreign Elements, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan

In order to facilitate the participation of Chinese and foreign parties in legal proceedings before the people’s courts, the questions and answers are prepared in accordance with relevant laws, judicial interpretations, and judicial practices in civil and commercial trials involving foreign elements, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan.

1. Scope of Application

Q1: What are civil and commercial cases involving foreign elements, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan?

Foreign-related civil and commercial cases refer to civil and commercial cases that involve foreign elements, including:

(1) cases where one or both parties involved are foreign individuals, stateless persons, foreign entities or organizations;

(2) cases where one or both parties involved have their habitual residence outside the territory of the People’s Republic of China;

(3) cases whose subject matter is located outside the territory of the People’s Republic of China;

(4) cases where the legal facts that establish, modify, or terminate civil relationships occur outside the territory of the People’s Republic of China; and

(5) cases that can be determined as foreign-related civil and commercial cases.

Civil and commercial cases involving Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan refer to those involving elements related to Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. The standards for determining Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan-related elements can be referred to the provisions mentioned above regarding foreign-related civil and commercial cases.

2. Jurisdiction

Q2: What are the jurisdictional thresholds of first-instance civil and commercial cases involving foreign elements, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan before the people’s courts at various levels in Guangdong Province?

(1) The High People’s Court of Guangdong Province has jurisdiction over first-instance civil and commercial cases involving foreign elements, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan with an amount in dispute of RMB 5 billion or above.

(2) The jurisdiction standards for Guangzhou Intermediate People’s Court and primary people’s courts are as follows:

i. Guangzhou Intermediate People’s Court has jurisdiction over first-instance civil and commercial cases involving foreign elements, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, with an amount in dispute of RMB 40 million or above.

ii. Yuexiu Primary People’s Court, Guangzhou and Nansha Primary People's Court, Guangzhou (Nansha Primary People's Court of the Guangdong Free Trade Zone) have centralized jurisdiction over four categories of first-instance commercial cases involving foreign elements, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, with an amount in dispute below RMB 40 million, including: a) disputes over security interests (limited to disputes where the principal contracts involve commercial or financial transactions), b) commercial contract disputes, c) disputes involving companies and partnerships, and d) disputes related to securities, futures, trusts, insurance, and other financial derivatives.

Specifically, Yuexiu Primary People’s Court, Guangzhou has centralized jurisdiction over the above four categories of cases within the jurisdiction of the primary people’s courts of Haizhu District, Liwan District, Baiyun District, Huadu District, and Conghua District of Guangzhou City; Nansha Primary People’s Court, Guangzhou (Nansha Primary People's Court of the Guangdong Free Trade Zone) has centralized jurisdiction over the above four categories of cases within the jurisdiction of the primary people’s courts of Tianhe District, Huangpu District, Panyu District, and Zengcheng District of Guangzhou City.

For other first-instance civil and commercial cases involving foreign elements, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan with an amount in dispute below RMB 40 million that do not fall within the scope of centralized jurisdiction shall be under the jurisdiction of appropriate primary people’s courts in Guangzhou.

(3) The jurisdiction standards for Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court and primary people’s courts are as follows:

i. Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court has jurisdiction over first-instance civil cases involving foreign elements, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, with an amount in dispute of RMB 40 million or above; appropriate primary people’s courts have jurisdiction over first-instance civil cases involving foreign elements, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, with an amount in dispute below RMB 40 million.

ii. Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court has jurisdiction over first-instance commercial cases involving foreign elements, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, with an amount in dispute of RMB 50 million or above. Qianhai Cooperation Zone Primary People’s Court, Shenzhen has centralized jurisdiction over first-instance commercial cases involving foreign elements, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan with an amount in dispute below RMB 50 million within the jurisdiction of Shenzhen City.

(4) Zhuhai Intermediate People’s Court has jurisdiction over first-instance civil and commercial cases involving foreign elements, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, with an amount in dispute of RMB 40 million or above. The Primary People's Court of Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin has centralized jurisdiction over first-instance civil and commercial cases involving foreign elements, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan with an amount in dispute below RMB 40 million.

(5) In prefecture-level cities other than Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai, intermediate people’s courts have jurisdiction over first-instance civil and commercial cases involving foreign elements, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, with an amount in dispute of RMB 40 million or above, and primary people’s courts have jurisdiction over first-instance civil and commercial cases involving foreign elements, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, with an amount in dispute below RMB 40 million.

(6) Guangzhou Maritime Court has jurisdiction over first-instance maritime cases involving foreign elements, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, with an amount in dispute below RMB 5 billion.

The above standards do not apply to cases involving foreign elements, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan that relate to intellectual property disputes, eco-environmental damages disputes, or environmental civil public interest lawsuits. For relevant jurisdiction standards for these specific cases, please refer to Several Provisions of the Supreme People’s Court on the Jurisdiction of First-Instance Civil and Administrative Cases Involving Intellectual Property, the Notice of the Supreme People’s Court on Issuing Jurisdictional Standards for Primary People’s Courts over First-Instance Civil and Administrative Cases Involving Intellectual Property, the Provisions of the Supreme People’s Court on the Jurisdiction of Intellectual Property Courts in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, theNotice of the Supreme People’s Court on Adjusting Jurisdictional Standards for People’s Courts at All Levels Over First-Instance Civil Cases Involving Intellectual Property, Reply of the Supreme People's Court on Approving Continued Jurisdication over Patent and Other Intellectual Property Cases within Two-Level Courts in Shenzhen, Several Provisions of the Supreme People’s Court on the Hearing of Eco-Environmental Damages Cases (Trial), theInterpretation of the Supreme People’s Court on Several Issues Concerning the Application of Law in the Hearing of Environmental Civil Public Interest Lawsuits, and the Notice of the High People’s Court of Guangdong Province on Adjusting the Courts of Centralized Jurisdiction and Territorial Scope of Jurisdiction for Environmental Civil Public Interest Lawsuits.

3. Litigation Participants

Q3: What types of identity documents can foreign citizens and residents of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan submit when participating in litigation?

Valid identity documents including passport, Hong Kong permanent identity card, Macao resident identity card, residence permit for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan residents, mainland travel permit for Hong Kong and Macao residents, and mainland travel permit for Taiwan residents.

Q4: What are the requirements for identity documents submitted by a foreign entity or organization when participating in litigation?

A foreign entity or organization is required to submit identity documents of the entity or organization itself, together with documents demonstrating the authority of the person representing the entity or organization to participate in the litigation, and to complete the following procedures:

(1) For foreign enterprises or organizations in countries that are parties to the Apostille Convention, the documents mentioned above shall be notarized by a notary public practicing in that country, with an Apostille attached.

(2) For foreign enterprises or organizations in countries that are not parties to the Apostille Convention, the documents mentioned above shall be notarized by a notary public practicing in that country and then legalized by the embassy or consulate of the People’s Republic of China in that country.

(3) For foreign enterprises or organizations in countries that have no diplomatic relations with China, the documents mentioned above shall first be notarized by a notary public practicing in that country, then authenticated by the embassy or consulate in that country of a third country that has diplomatic relations with China, and finally legalized by the embassy or consulate of China in that third country.

Q5: What are the requirements for identity documents submitted by an entity or organization from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan when participating in litigation?

An entity or organization from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan is required to submit identity documents of the entity or organization itself, together with documents demonstrating the authority of the person representing the entity or organization to participate in the litigation, and to complete the following procedures:

(1) For entities or organizations from Hong Kong, the documents mentioned above shall first be attested by a China-Appointed Attesting Officer (Hong Kong), and then reviewed and submitted by China Legal Service (H.K.) Ltd. after having its official seal affixed thereto;

(2) For entities or organizations from Macao, the documents mentioned above shall first be attested by a China-Appointed Attesting Officer (Macao), and then verified by China Legal Service (Macao) with an authentication seal affixed thereto;

(3) For entities or organizations from Taiwan, the documents mentioned above shall be notarized in Taiwan, with a copy of the notarial certificate to be mailed by the Straits Exchange Foundation to the Guangdong branch of the China Notary Association and the original notarial certificate to be submitted by the party concerned to the Guangdong branch of the China Notary Association for verification.

4. Litigation Representatives

Q6: Who can foreign parties appoint as their litigation representatives?

Foreign individuals, stateless persons, and foreign entities and organizations that seek lawyers for legal representation in litigation shall appoint lawyers of the People’s Republic of China.

Foreign parties may appoint their own nationals as litigation representatives or appoint lawyers of their own country as litigation representatives in a non-lawyer capacity.

Q7: Who can parties from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan appoint as their litigation representatives?

Parties from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan that seek lawyers for legal representation in litigation shall appoint lawyers of the mainland of the People’s Republic of China. Additionally, parties from Hong Kong and Macao may appoint lawyers practicing in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to represent them in the capacity of a lawyer.

Parties from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan may appoint local lawyers as their litigation representatives in a non-lawyer capacity.

Q8: How should litigation participants complete authorization procedures?

Parties from foreign countries, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan may sign a power of attorney outside of China and complete appropriate notarization procedures, following the specific requirements outlined in Q4 and Q5.

Alternatively, parties from foreign countries, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan may sign a power of attorney in China and have it notarized by a notary public in China.

Parties from Hong Kong and Macao may appoint lawyers practicing in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as their litigation representatives by signing a power of attorney without further actions.

Taiwan residents holding a residence permit for Taiwan residents may appoint mainland lawyers or any other persons as their litigation representatives by signing a power of attorney without further actions.

Q9: In addition to notarization, are there any other ways for litigation participants to complete authorization procedures?

Yes, foreign citizens and residents of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan may sign a power of attorney in the presence of judges of the people’s courts, without the need for notarization or other certification procedures.

Representatives of entities or organizations in foreign countries, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan may, upon presentation of their personal identity documents, along with such necessary authorization documents (e.g., resolutions of the board of directors or shareholders) as duly notarized, certified or attested, as the case may be, sign a power of attorney in the presence of judges of the people’s courts to appoint lawyers or any other persons as their litigation representatives.

Additionally, foreign citizens and residents of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan may opt for witnessed authorization procedures conducted through AOL Authorized Witness Services and other online video methods.

5. Time Limits for Defense and Appeal

Q10: What are the time limits for defense and appeal in civil and commercial cases involving foreign elements, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan?

The time limit for defense and appeal shall be 30 days for parties who do not have a domicile in the mainland of the People’s Republic of China, or 15 days for those who have a domicile inside the territory of the People’s Republic of China.

6. Evidence

Q11: What are the certification requirements for evidence generated outside the territory of China?

In principle, evidence generated outside the territory of China does not need to undergo notarization, authentication, or other certification procedures, except in the following circumstances:

(1) Evidence related to identity relationships formed outside the territory of China shall be notarized (with an Apostille) or notarized and authenticated depending on whether the country where the evidence is generated is a party to the Apostille Convention;

(2) Official written evidence generated outside the territory of China shall be certified by a notary public of the country where they are located or undergo appropriate certification procedures unless the authenticity of the official written evidence can be verified online or both parties have no objection to the authenticity thereof.

Written materials submitted in a foreign language shall be accompanied by Chinese translations.

7. Court Translation and Interpretation

Q12: Are parties allowed to use foreign languages in court proceedings? What if they don’t understand Chinese?

The people’s courts use the common language of the People’s Republic of China when trying foreign-related civil and commercial cases. If a party requests translation and interpretation, one can be provided at the costs and expenses of the requesting party.

8. Ascertainment of Foreign Laws

Q13: Under what circumstances do parties need to provide foreign laws to the people’s courts?

Where parties choose to apply the laws of a foreign country or Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, they must provide such foreign laws.

Where foreign laws shall be applied according to law, parties may provide such foreign laws.

Q14: What are the requirements for foreign laws provided by parties?

Parties must submit the specific provisions of the foreign laws and provide explanations regarding their accessibility, effectiveness, and relevance to the matter in dispute. For case law systems, the full text of precedents shall also be submitted.

Q15: How can parties ascertain foreign laws?

Parties may inquire about foreign laws through the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Legal Ascertainment Platform, or seek assistance from entrusted legal ascertainment service agencies, Chinese and foreign law experts, and other relevant sources.

9. Online Litigation Services

Q16:Can parties engage in online cross-border litigation?

Yes, parties can engage in online cross-border litigation through Guangdong Court Litigation Service Network or the WeChat mini program “Guangdong Justice”. Once parties register and verify their identities on these online platforms, they can perform a range of litigation activities, including online case filing, online court hearings, and submission of evidence.

10. Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods

Q17: Besides litigation, are there other methods available for resolving disputes?

Apart from litigation, mediation and arbitration are two commonly used alternative methods available for resolving civil and commercial disputes.

Parties may check the list of mediators on the mediation platform of the Guangdong Court Litigation Service Network and engage in mediation before litigation. Mediation during litigation may also be conducted under the auspices of judges.

If parties choose to resolve disputes by arbitration, a legal and valid arbitration agreement must be in place.