Special report - Shanghai / Guangzhou: Chinese omnipotence

Shanghai / Guangzhou - Bruno Lefébure, Partner, Bignon-Lebray law firm

"China is both a country where everything is possible and a country where everything is difficult...".
By The Editor -

How did you become a specialist in Franco-Chinese law in Shanghai?

Bruno Lefébure - Originally a lawyer at the Paris Bar, I came to China in 2000, then returned to Paris to set up a department to welcome Chinese investment in France. I returned to Shanghai in 2009 to help French companies set up in China, but also to continue to attract Chinese companies to France. For example, we've just helped the first Chinese company to acquire a vineyard in France.
 

Is your speciality set to grow?

B. L. - Yes and no. In all, there are only around ten French law firms licensed by the Chinese Ministry of Justice. China is a country where everything is possible and everything is difficult. The legal situation is even worse. Yet many young people are attracted to China, just as they were once attracted to the United States. But understanding and mastering the Chinese language and culture is more than just speaking English. And the need for new lawyers is clear: we handle around three new applications a week, which is a huge number.

What do you need to know about China before setting up there?

B. L. - One in three of the investments we handle still goes through Hong Kong for tax reasons. But if we want to conquer the Chinese market, we need a real presence in China.

Special report - Shanghai / Guangzhou: Chinese omnipotence

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