China

Are you looking to establish or expand your business in one of the world’s fastest growing markets, but faced with legal challenges? With more than 30 experts based in Beijing and Shanghai, we are well placed to support international companies on doing business in China and Chinese enterprises seeking to grow overseas.

CMS has been advising clients on doing business in China for more than 30 years. As one of the top international law firms in China, we are able to support international companies and Chinese enterprises on all their legal needs through our full service offering. Our team of legal and sector experts are from China, Germany and the UK, and have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the Chinese legal and regulatory systems, enabling us to provide you with solution driven and commercial advice. Whether you need corporate/M&A support on strategic projects or foreign direct investment, including the set-up of Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprises (WFOEs) or Joint Ventures (JVs), compliance and other aspects, our team of more than 20 corporate/M&A experts can help. For financial matters, particularly regulation and tax, we can guide you through high level regulatory complexities. To properly manage your employees and their benefits, we can enable you to navigate through the maze of China’s employment regulations, contractual agreements and other legal requirements. We can also help you in protecting and enforcing your valuable IP. If you are looking for navigation on highly sensitive and complex dispute matters, we have dedicated teams who will help you manage these issues and minimise risks. In addition, we also advise on commercial and competition law.

We are also sector specialists and understand the unique needs, regulation and challenges of your industry sector, enabling us to provide you with a tailored service that addresses your specific concerns and requirements, particularly in the sectors of automotive, machinery, engineering, life sciences, energy & infrastructure, technology, media and communications (TMC), private equity, real estate and hotel & leisure.

If you are a Chinese company or individual interested in overseas investment, we are right at your stand with comprehensive knowledge of the European market and legal environment to walk you through the process and a unique coverage of the entire European market with offices in all major commercial centres of Europe.

For support from experienced international legal and sector experts, who can help you grow your business both within and outside of China, please contact us via the online form, email or telephone.

Our Awards

• Employer of Choice (2024) by Thomson Reuters Asian Legal Business
• Top 50 International Law Firms in Asia (2023) by Thomson Reuters Asian Legal Business 
• Top 30 International Law Firms in China (2023) by Thomson Reuters Asian Legal Business 
• International Law Firm of the Year (nominated) (2023) by Asian Legal Business (ALB)
• FT Most Innovative Law Firms (2019) by Financial Times
• Most Innovative Firm of the Year (nominated) (2019) by China Law & Practice
• China Business Law Awards in M&A (Inbound & domestic) (2021) by China Business Law Journal (CBLJ)
• M&A Deal of the Year 2020 (2021) by China Business Law Journal (CBLJ)
• Recommended Law Firm for Corporate and M&A in China: Foreign Firms (2024) by Legal 500
• Notable Firm for M&A in China (International) (2024) by Thomson Reuters Asian Legal Business
• Notable Firm in M&A (Foreign) (2024) by IFLR 1000
• Band 4 for Corporate/M&A: China-based (International Firms) (2014) by Chambers and Partners
• Competition Firm of the Year (shortlisted) (2021) by China Law & Practice Awards
• Tier 3 Law Firm for Antitrust and Competition: Foreign Firms (2021) by Legal 500
• Recommended Law Firm for Dispute Resolution in China: Foreign Firms (2024) by Legal 500
• Band 4 for Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms) (2021) by Chambers and Partners
• Tier 2 in Employment: PRC Law (International Firms) by Chambers and Partners, 2024
• Labor & Employment Firm of the Year (shortlisted) (2021) by China Law & Practice
• Tier 3 Firm for Labour and employment: foreign firms (2024) by Legal 500
• Tier 1 for Trademarks/Copyright (China International Firms) (2023) by Asian Legal Business (ALB)
• Tier 1 for Patents (China International Firms) (2023) by Asian Legal Business (ALB)
• IP Law Firm of the Year - International (nominated) (2023) by Asian Legal Business (ALB)
• Law Firm for Data protection & privacy, IP (Copyright) (2021) by China Business Law Awards
• Recommended Law Firm for IP in China: Foreign Firms (2024) by Legal 500
• Recommended Firm for Real estate and construction in China: Foreign Firms (2022) by Legal 500
• Real Estate Law Firm of the Year (International) (nominated) (2021) by Asian Legal Business
• Real Estate Firm of the Year (International) (nominated) (2021) by China Law & Practice
• Law Firm for Construction & infrastructure (2021) by China Business Law Awards
• Taxation: International Firms (2023) by China Business Law Awards
• Leading Firm for Tax in China: Foreign Firms (2024) by Legal 500
• Tax Law Firm of the Year (International) (nominated) (2019) by Thomson Reuters Asian Legal Business
• Leading Law Firm for TMT in China: Foreign Firms (2024) by Legal 500
• Tier 3 Law Firm for Life Sciences (International Firms) (2024) by Chambers and Partners
• Leading Law Firm for Healthcare and Life Sciences in China: Foreign Firms (2024) by Legal 500
• Healthcare & Life Sciences Firm of the Year (International) (nominated) (2019) by China Law & Practice
• China Outbound Deal of the Year (nominated) (2019) by China Law & Practice