One-stop legal services center launched

A Zhejiang merchant foreign-related legal services center was officially launched recently. It will provide going-global businesses with instant access to expert legal support through a unified hotline and a network spanning 94 countries.

Established as a public-interest institution, the one-stop legal services center provides crucial legal support for businesses in the province that are expanding overseas.

Businesses worldwide can access its comprehensive "one-stop" portfolio through a global hotline (+86-0571-88170999) or an online platform. The services range from legal consultations and overseas law investigation to corporate compliance guides designed to help companies respect local regulations.

The center tackles the growing challenges these companies face, such as complex legal landscapes and difficulty finding reliable resources. By offering a centralized, one-stop platform, the center represents a major step in Zhejiang's strategy to bolster its high-standard opening-up.

The establishment of the center responds to a clear and urgent need. More than 90 percent of Zhejiang's import-export enterprises have encountered foreign trade disputes.

"Zhejiang's demand for foreign-related legal services is growing, yet there was a lack of a dedicated service agency at the provincial level, making it difficult to meet the increasing needs of our businesses going global," said Chen Sanlian, the center's director.

He noted that several enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized ones, often face immediate legal risks while expanding overseas; they are unsure where to find reliable local legal resources or how to navigate international rules.

The center helps link branches of leading Chinese law firms and foreign legal institutions to create a network of nearly 400 service points.

This web spans 94 countries and 125 major cities, with a strategic distribution of 152 points in Asia and 115 in Europe. Domestically, it integrates powerful resources, collaborating with over 160 legal services institutions, including prominent names like King & Wood Mallesons and Zhejiang T&C Law Firm, and a talent pool of more than 1,500 legal professionals.

For dispute resolution, the center provides efficient commercial mediation handled by a pool of over 300 expert mediators. It also facilitates arbitration, a process valued for its confidentiality and legally binding finality, with support from modern facilities that meet international standards.

The center promises swift action: "When a Zhejiang entrepreneur calls with a need, we match the client with a specialized lawyer who provides an initial response within one hour," a representative explained. For on-the-ground issues, the center seamlessly connects users to its vast network of nearly 400 local partner institutions abroad.

The center has received strong governmental and international support, reflecting its strategic importance.

This initiative is a key component of Zhejiang's broader, long-term strategy to enhance its foreign-related legal capabilities, as outlined in plans like the Zhejiang Foreign-Related Legal Service Development Special Action Plan (2021-25).

The initiative has been met with widespread approval from key stakeholders.

Wang Licheng, president of the Zhejiang Chamber of International Commerce, said that with this "professional legal escort", businesses can now focus more on international market expansion.

Lawyer Dong Feng described the center as a "systematic guide" and a "transparent, professional legal safety net" for enterprises.

Overseas representatives like Ding Tianyun of the Jiangsu-Zhejiang Business Association in the United States anticipate it will "become a platform connecting China and the world".

This collective optimism underscores the center's role in transforming Zhejiang's legal support from a scattered offering into a cohesive ecosystem, ensuring businesses can sustainably integrate into global markets.

chenye@chinadaily.com.cn