A supply chain company provided international cargo transportation and related services for an export enterprise. However, the counterparty defaulted on payments over an extended period and refused to settle outstanding fees. To safeguard its legitimate rights, the supply chain company engaged the legal team of Landing (Shenzhen) Law Offices, with Mr. Shichao Zhou and Ms. Yafang Zhao acting as counsel.

The case involved nearly one hundred containers of international freight services. Due to sharp fluctuations in the shipping market last year, compounded by geopolitical instability in the Middle East, freight rates were highly volatile. The export enterprise placed dense, large-volume orders within a short period. Although the supply chain company duly performed all contractual obligations, it was subsequently met with multiple pretexts for non-payment, leaving the company to bear significant upfront costs.

Given the large number of containers with differing circumstances, the matter could not be addressed through a one-size-fits-all approach. Faced with complex case dynamics and voluminous data, counsel systematically organized quotation records, cost details, and all communications, and submitted comprehensive evidence to the court. The core arguments advanced were:

1. The supply chain company had fully discharged its contractual obligations, with all advances and charges duly substantiated and traceable;

2. The counterparty’s claimed “losses” lacked factual basis and failed to establish any causal connection with the services provided by the supply chain company.

The court fully adopted our submissions and rendered the following judgment:

·The export enterprise shall pay the supply chain company all outstanding fees (approximately RMB 2 million) plus interest;

·The export enterprise’s counterclaim for cargo damage compensation is dismissed in its entirety;

·The shareholders of the export enterprise shall bear joint and several liability for the debts.

Due to the professional representation of Mr. Zhou and Ms. Zhao, the supply chain company’s lawful rights and interests were comprehensively safeguarded, with the client expressing strong satisfaction with the outcome.

Counsel Profiles

Shichao Zhou

Executive Director & Senior Partner, Landing (Shenzhen) Law Offices

Practice Areas: International Investment & Trade; Cross-Border Commercial Dispute Resolution; Industrial Parks & High-Tech Enterprises

Contact: shichao.zhou@landinglawyer.com

 | +86 133 4293 1852

Yafang Zhao

Attorney, Landing (Shenzhen) Law Offices

Practice Areas: International Trade; Cross-Border Civil & Commercial Disputes; Family Law & Inheritance

Contact: yafang.zhao@landinglawyer.com

 | +86 188 2610 0696