These events offered a platform for Chinese speaking delegates from a range of sectors to explore significant developments in the cross-border business landscape and presented vital networking opportunities. Laurel’s presence at these forums reinforces Sherrards’ dedication to supporting clients through expert cross-border legal counsel, especially in an era where the UK and China are increasingly linked by trade and investment.

Road Trip Across China for the Association of Chinese Lawyers in Europe

Laurel collaborated again with the Association of Chinese Lawyers in Europe (ACLE). Following the success of Sherrards’ recent London conference on AI and law. Laurel travelled across China with the ACLE to deliver a series of seminars, titled “China-Europe Investment and Financing and Industrial Matchmaking.”

The seminars were delivered in several major Chinese cities, including Xiamen, Shanghai, Dalian, and Shenzhen. This event focused on strengthening ties between Chinese and European legal professionals, fostering direct collaboration opportunities for businesses. Heavily involved in these seminars, Laurel played a key role in presenting insights on legal frameworks governing cross-border investments, further cementing Sherrards’ position as a leader in facilitating UK-China business ventures.

Chinese Speaking Lawyers’ Convention in Qianhai, Shenzhen

In October this convention took place in the heart of Shenzhen’s financial district, gathering over 500 Chinese-speaking lawyers from across China, the Greater China region, and 40 other countries. It was supported from the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Justice. If the scale of the conference wasn’t enough, Shenzhen the host city boasts a population of over 17 million people.

The primary focus of the attendees was on Shenzhen’s rule of law and responding to the growing demands of foreign-related legal services from individuals and businesses alike. Delegates discussed the intricacies of international legal cooperation. As global supply chains shift and fluctuate a conference of this nature presented Laurel with invaluable experience and contacts willing to embrace the China-Uk relationship.  Laurel engaged with prominent Shenzhen enterprises, drawing from her vast experience to place Sherrards firmly at the centre of such a notable event.

China International Import Exposition, Shanghai

From November 6-8, Laurel attended this event in Shanghai, hosted in conjunction with the China International Import Expo, once again considering the “Bridge of Overseas Chinese”. Organised by the China Overseas Chinese Federation and the Shanghai Government, the forum attracted a wide array of international professionals and industry leaders.

The sessions were geared towards connecting the international Chinese community with investment and innovation resources within China, reinforcing high-level international collaboration. Laurel’s involvement underscores Sherrards’ mission to guide UK companies toward successful engagement in China by aligning with the latest regulatory and commercial developments.

Relevance to UK-China Business Relations

These conferences are highly relevant to Sherrards’ UK-based clients as they provide the firm with up-to-date insights into China’s evolving regulatory landscape and its implications for foreign investors. Laurel’s active participation enables Sherrards to offer practical and informed guidance to British businesses exploring new opportunities in China’s dynamic economy. With firsthand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities discussed at these events, Sherrards is well-positioned to advise clients on compliance, market entry, and partnership strategies that align with China’s economic and legal priorities.

For Chinese professionals and enterprises, Sherrards’ involvement signifies the firm’s commitment to building reliable legal partnerships that support cross-border transactions with the UK. Laurel continues to develop her connections with Chinese legal and industry professionals, cultivating trust and opening avenues for collaboration. Laurel’s engagement serves as a bridge between Chinese and British businesses, promoting safe, transparent, and efficient legal pathways for trade, investment, and innovation between the two.

For more information, contact Laurel Zhang. 

The event was organised by Laurel Zhang, Head of China & Southeast Asia Group, and her connections with the Chinese Tax Specialists. Laurel is part of the Corporate & Commercial team, based in London and she speaks fluent Mandarin and English. She commented, “We provide a lot of support to companies looking to do business in the UK coming in from China, Hong Kong and across Asia and one of the key benefits we can provide is cultural and language support as well as plenty of experience operating in the region and discuss our experience with the delegation.”

The event began with an introduction from Paul Marmor, Head of International and Dispute Resolution, who introduced Sherrards, its history and each spokesperson from Sherrards for the morning. Paul then discussed the amazing history and importance of ‘The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple’ and how legal practitioners are split into Solicitors & Barristers within the UK. He informed the audience of how Sherrards is a member of the American Bar Association (ABA), the International Bar Association (IBA) and the Alliott Global Alliance (AGA) with Sherrards having individual desks for Germany, China, France, USA, and eastern-Europe. A truly global law Firm.

Jean-Paul da Costa, head of Corporate and Commercial, was the first to present to the group. He discussed the ways the Government use incentives like tax to influence the UK’s economy and how the government have several tax incentive schemes to influence investors such as the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS), the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Venture Capital Trusts Scheme (VCT). Jean-Paul also covered Tax breaks a tool to influence UK business activity. This included the Entrepreneurs Relief (Business Asset Disposal Relief) scheme, small businesses not being charged for VAT for the first £85,000, and the Corporate Venturing Scheme (CVS). He then discussed the methods the Government use to boost the economic activity of employees such as the Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI), Share Incentive Plans (SIPs) and the Employee Ownership Trusts (EOT) programs. The final area Jean-Paul spoke about was presenting a global perspective to show in what ways that UK economy is unique worldwide. He commented, “Much of Sherrards’ work is related to FDI (Foreign direct investment) to the UK with specialist teams focussing on IP (Intellectual Property), corporate & property (real estate) structures as well as litigation and we were only too happy to share our knowledge with the delegation”.

Aleksandra Rychlewska, Legal Assistant in the Litigation department, then gave a thorough explanation of the UK’s Legal System, informing the delegation of the four factors that make the UK legal system an attractive choice for international parties to resolve their commercial disputes. These included the expertise, specialisation, and independent judiciary that the UK possess, the tradition of the Common Law, the Enforceability of Judgements across jurisdictions and alternative dispute resolution options.

Guy Morgan, Partner in our Commercial Property department then gave a detailed description of the Commercial Property market in England with a summary of concepts in English Property law and the challenges that the UK economy face post-pandemic and with the economic and political climate, including issues like climate change & technological change. Guy then gave an overview of key property taxes such as the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) to inform the audience on the UK’s tax system. Guy concluded his presentation with a ‘glimpse into the future’, which addressed the possible changes that 2024’s General election will bring to the UK.

The final spokesperson from Sherrards was Greg Pooler who gave a presentation on Disclosure and cross-border data transfers. He explained what disclosure is and its importance in law, along-side the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) and how it influences legal practice in the UK. This was followed by examples of Sherrards past experiences with disclosure across jurisdictions including how Sherrards were advised on the Chinese regime and it’s three pillars – Data Security Law, The Personal Information Protection Law, and State Secrets Law. Greg then listed key UK laws and their influence; Data Security Law (Article 36), Personal Information Protection Law (Article 41) and the Securities Law (Article 25).

The event finished with a visit to the “Great Hall” and networking.