Last updated: September 2026 | English version is the governing text. In case of any discrepancy with translated versions, the English version prevails.
These Terms govern your use of this website and all services purchased through it. "Services" means: (a) written Q&A answers to questions about doing business with or in China; (b) referral of licensed mainland China lawyers; (c) referral and engagement of Chinese intellectual property agencies (patent, trademark, copyright); and (d) China market verification research reports. By placing an order you accept these Terms. If any term of a specific service page, payment page or written confirmation conflicts with these Terms, that specific document prevails for that order.
We act as a referral and research service provider with responsibility for the quality of our matches and deliverables. We select mainland China lawyers and agencies through internal due diligence; the list of engaged providers is not published, and selection remains at our professional discretion. For referral services, the engagement of the referred lawyer or agency by you is a matter between you and them, and their professional fees are separate from our referral fee unless expressly stated. We do not intervene in your day-to-day business operations and are not your distributor, agent or partner. Our written answers state their basis and limitations and are general professional information, not a substitute for advice on your specific transaction where we have expressly stated so.
An order placed on our website or by email is an offer by you. A contract is formed only when we confirm the order by email, which may include a written confirmation specifying the task scope, deliverable, timeline and fee. We may decline any order, including where the task falls outside our service scope, conflicts with an existing engagement, or cannot be lawfully performed.
Prices are stated on each service page in US dollars. Our fees are fixed as published. Where a service involves third-party costs (for example official filing fees, lawyer time beyond the referral, or research expenses), these are quoted separately and billed at cost with evidence before you commit. Payment is due as stated at checkout or in the order confirmation. Late payment may suspend performance and accrue interest at 2% per month on overdue amounts.
You agree to: provide true, accurate and complete information and documents; have the authority to instruct us and to transfer the case materials to us and our engaged providers; respond to our reasonable enquiries within the timeframes stated in your order confirmation (failure to do so may extend timelines); and use the Services for lawful business purposes only.
Services are performed by human professionals on a non-real-time basis. Timelines stated on service pages or order confirmations are targets we make commercially reasonable efforts to meet. For litigation and similar matters handled by referred lawyers, we are responsible for the diligence of the referral process and not for the outcome of any proceeding; referred lawyers will advise you on the merits and risks of your matter directly. Statements of probability in our reports are professional assessments, not promises or guarantees of result.
Deliverables (written answers, referral briefs, reports) are provided by email. Upon full payment, you own the deliverable prepared for you. Our methodology, templates and know-how remain our intellectual property. You may not remove our markings from deliverables or resell our reports as your own service.
We keep your information and case materials confidential and use them only for your service, except where disclosure is required by law or necessary to perform the service (including disclosure to engaged providers bound by confidentiality). We may reference your matter in anonymised form in our case library only with your written consent.
We handle personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which forms part of these Terms.
We are liable for damage caused by our failure to perform with reasonable skill and care. To the maximum extent permitted by law: (a) we are not liable for indirect or consequential losses, including loss of profit, business opportunity or goodwill; (b) our total aggregate liability arising from an order is limited to the fees actually paid by you for that order, except where the liability arises from fraud, wilful misconduct or personal injury, or where a higher cap is required by law. Nothing in these Terms limits liability that cannot lawfully be limited.
You may cancel an order at any time before completion; fees are handled under our Refund Policy. We may suspend or terminate an engagement if you breach these Terms, fail to pay, or if performance becomes unlawful; in such cases completed work is charged and unearned fees are refunded. Termination does not affect accrued rights or obligations of confidentiality.
We are not liable for delay or failure caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, epidemics, war, civil unrest, government action, strikes, or major failures of public infrastructure. Where such an event occurs, we will notify you promptly and agree a reasonable course, including adjusted timelines or cancellation with a refund of unearned fees.
Payments may be processed by third-party payment providers (such as Stripe and AlipayHK). Their processing of your payment data is governed by their terms; we only receive confirmation of payment. Referred lawyers and agencies perform their professional services under their own engagement terms with you and hold their own professional responsibilities.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Disputes will be resolved by the courts of Hong Kong. If any provision is held invalid, the remainder stays in force. We may update these Terms; the version in force at the time of your order applies to that order. Notices to us go to vip@sinogateway.com; notices to you go to your registered email.
SINOGATEWAY, Unit D3, 11/F, Luk Hop Industrial Building, No. 8 Luk Hop Street, San Po Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Email: vip@sinogateway.com. Phone: +852 9021 8715.