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Oral contract of international sale of goods, how to ascertain forum court?(continued)

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 TRIAL in China.

There is just an oral contract between the parties. How does the local court have the jurisdiction over such an oral contract without choice of forum? In this situation,  we must adpot the rules of choice of law.

In accordance with basic principlies of choice of law with respect of contract dispute, the closest relationship is the standard to decide the forum. In contract dispute, the place of performance has  the closest relationship with choice of forum. The parties have not expressly agreed upon the place of  performance, therefore, under Chinese Contract Law Article 61, paragraph (c), the place of performance shall be at  where the obligator is located. The parties agreed to deliver the goods with the term of CIF,  according to “International Incoterms 2000″, the Seller shall complete delivery obligations in the port of shipment, DAlIAN.  THUS, Dalian is the actual place of performance.

Without express agreement of place of performance, where CIF is adpoted, the Seller can lodge a suit in Dalian. BUT where both parties choose D-terms, it is hard for local Chinese court to accept the case. 

 Because international enforcement is very difficult and time comsuming, for such a small order, the Seller wouldnot choose to enforce it overseas. Then WHY DO WE LODGE A SUIT? The answer is , under Law of the People’s Republic of China on Control of the Entry and Exit of Aliens, we could apply the Chinese court to issue an injunction restricting the default party to leave China since it involves in unsolved civil cases. I guess that is most of the  foreign businessmen are reluctant to accept.

Measures for Registration of Capital Contributions Using Equity

3

股权出资登记管理办法

Measures for Registration of Capital Contributions Using Equity 

No 39 (2008) State administration for Industry and Commerce


   
  第一条 为规范股权出资登记根据《公司法》《公司登记管理条例》等法律法规的规定制定本办法。
   
第二条 投资人以其持有的在中国境内设立的有限责任公司或者股份有限公司(以下统称股权公司)的股权作为出资投资于境内其他有限责任公司或者股份有限公司(以下统称被投资公司)的登记管理,适用本办法。
   
第三条 用作出资的股权应当权属清楚、权能完整、依法可以转让。
   
具有下列情形的股权不得用作出资:
   
(一)股权公司的注册资本尚未缴足
   
(二)已被设立质权;
   
(三)已被依法冻结;
   
(四)股权公司章程约定不得转让;
   
(五)法律、行政法规或者国务院决定规定,股权公司股东转让股权应当报经批准而未经批准;
   
(六)法律、行政法规或者国务院决定规定不得转让的其他情形。
   
第四条 全体股东以股权作价出资金额和其他非货币财产作价出资金额之和不得高于被投资公司注册资本的百分之七十。
   
第五条 用作出资的股权应当经依法设立的评估机构评估。
   
第六条 公司设立时,投资人以股权出资的,自被投资公司成立之日起一年内投资人应当实际缴纳效投资公司应当办理实收资本变更登记。
   
公司增加注册资本时,投资人以股权出资的 应当在被投资公司申请办理增加注册资本变更登记前实际缴纳。
   
第七条 投资人以持有的有限责任公司股权实际缴纳出资的股权公司应当向公司登记机关申请办理将该股权的持有人变更为被投资公司的变更登记。
   
投资人以持有的股份有限公司股权实际缴纳出资,出资股权在证券登记结算机构登记的,应当按照规定经证券交易所和证券登记结算机构办理股份转让和过户登记手续;其他股权依照法定方式转让给被投资公司。
   
法律、行政法规或者国务院决定规定股权公司股东转让职权必须报经批准的,还应当依法经过批准。
   
第八条 股权出资实际缴纳后,应当经依法设立的验资机构验资并出具验资证明。
   
验资证明应当包括下列内容:
   
(一)以有限责任公司股权出资的,相关股权依照本办法第七条规定办理股东变更登记良况;
   
(二)以股份有限公司股权出资的相关股权依照本办法第七条规定转让给被投资公司情况;
   
(三)股权的评估情况,包括评估机构的名称、评估报告的文号、评估基准日、评估值等;
   
(四)股权出资依法项经批准的其批准情况。
   
第九条 投资人在公司设立时依法以股权出资的被投资公司应当在申请办理设立登记时办理股权认缴出资的出资人姓名或者名称,以及出资额、出资方式和出资的间登记。投资人实际缴纳股权出资后,被投资公司应当申请办理实收资本变更登记,被投资公司属于有限责任公司或者以发起设立方式设立的股份有限公司的还应当申请办理有关投资人实际缴纳出资额,出资时间等的变更登记。
   
投资人在公司增加注册资本时,以股权实际缴纳出资的,被投资公司应当申请办理注册资本和实收资本变更登记。被投资公司属于有限责任公司的还应当申请办理有关投资人姓名或者名称,以及认缴和实际缴纳的出资额、出资时间等的变更登记。
   
第十条 股权公司依照本办法第七条规定申请办理有关登记提交的材料,按照《公司登记管理条例》和国家工商行政管理总局有关企业登记提交材料的规定执行。
   
第十一条 被投资公司依照本办法第九条规定申请办理有关登记手续,除按照《公司登记管理条例》和国家工商行政管理总局有关企业登记提交材料的规定执行外还应当提交以下材料:
   
(一)以股权出资的投资人签署的股权认缴出资承诺书。有关投资人应当对所认缴出资的股权符合本办法第三条第一款规定,且不具有核条第二款规定情形等作出承诺;
   
(二)股权公司营业执照复印件(需加盖股权公司印章)
   
第十二条 投资人、被投资公司的股权出资行为违反《公司法》、《公司登记管理条例》以及本办法规定的,验资机构、资产评估机构出具虚假证明文件或者因过失提供有重大遗漏的报告的公司登记机关依照《公司法》、《公司登记管理条例》等有关规定予以查处。
   
第十三条 本办法规定事项法律、行政法规或者国务院决定另有规定的,从其规定。
   
第十四条  本办法自200931起实施。 

 

Main Points:

These measures apply to capital contributions in onshore companies limited by shares and onshore limited liability companies (“Investee Company”) made by means of equity of another company limited by shares or a limited liability company incorporated in China (“Investor Company”).

 

According to the Measures, equity that is to be contributed must have clear title and be legally transferable. An Investor Company may not use its equity as a capital contribution in an Investee Company if its own registered capital has not been fully paid up, if its equity has been pledged or frozen, if its equity is non-transferable by law or according to its articles of association, or if the contributor fails to obtain any statutorily required approval for the transfer of such equity.

 

Equity to be used as a capital contribution must be appraised by a qualified asset evaluation agency. The aggregate equity and other non-monetary capital contributions made by the shareholders may not exceed 70% of the registered capital of the Investee Company.

 

 

Liquidation Procedures for Foreign Invested Enterprises (Dalian)(2)

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    外商投资企业进行清算的,应根据不同情况进行。如果企业出现了资不抵债的情况,应当按《破产法》的规定进行破产清算。本期向大家介绍一下破产清算程序。

       The liquidation of foreign invested enterprises varies due to different situations.  In case of asset value of the enterprise is  less than its issued debt, the Law of Enterprise Bankruptcy would govern. We will introduce the procedures for bankruptcy liquidation.

破产清算是指由人民法院指定成立的清算组织,依据破产程序对破产企业的债权、债务及财产进行清理和处理,并将破产财产公平地分配给破产企业债权人的过程。

        Bankruptcy liquidation refers to the process that the liquidation organization appointed by the people’s court resolves the debts and credits and distributes the property to the creditors by fair share allocation.

破产清算程序通常为:

The procedures usually follow:

     宣告破产

Announcement of bankruptcy

所谓破产宣告,是指受理破产案件的法院对债权人或债务人所在地提出的破产申请,经审查认定后,宣告债务人破产的法律行为,破产宣告是破产程序进入实质阶段的标志。

Where the people’s court announces a debtor bankrupt for the application filed by creditors or debtors after examination, the bankrupt liquidation enters into a substantial process.

企业因经营不善造成严重亏损、无力清偿到期债务,其债权人可以向债务人所在地人民法院申请宣告债务人破产还债。同时,该企业作为债务人也可以自行向法院申请宣告破产。

Where an enterprise has a great deficit caused by poor management and fails to clear off its debt as due, its creditor may file an application with the people’s court for bankruptcy liquidation. Meanwhile, the enterprise, as the debtor, may also file an application with the people’s court for bankruptcy liquidation.

债务人确属严重亏损,不能清偿还到期债务的,而且债务人与其债权人间不能和解或和解无效,由人民法院裁定,宣告企业破产。

In case that the debtor fails to clear off its debt as due and fails to adopt a compromise or the compromise is held invalid, the people’s court will decide to announce the bankruptcy of the enterprise.

破产公告与申报债权

Announcement of acceptance and declaration of the creditor’s right

   法院应在裁定宣告进入破产还债程序后,进行破产公告。破产公告一般应当刊登在专门公告刊物上,同时应加盖人民法院的印章。

The people’s court shall notify the relevant creditors and announce its decision as well when it decides to accept an application for bankruptcy. The announcement shall be published in special publication with stamp of the people’s court.

    公告中应当载明确宣告企业破产的日期、破产企业的名称、破产企业的资产情况、基本负债情况、宣告债务人破产的理由和法律根据、告知(新)债权人申请债权的期限、地点和逾期未报债权的法律后果、破产清算组成员的姓名、住所及地点等。

The matters shall be indicated in the aforesaid announcement include the date when the people’s court accepts the application for bankruptcy, the name of the enterprise, the capital and proverty status of the enterprise, the reasons and legal basis of the bankruptcy, the term, address and points of attention in the declaration of the creditor’s right and nams of the members of bankruptcy organization as well as the address where it undertakes its business.

    债权申报是债权人参加破产程序行使权利的基础。债权人应在规定时间内申报债权。逾期未申报债权的,视为放弃债权。

Declaration of the creditor’s rights is the foundation for the creditor to exercise the right in bankruptcy liquidation. The creditor shall conduct it within the time limit. Where the creditor fails to declare on time, it deems that the creditor gives up its credit.

成立清算组织

Establishment of the liquidation organization

破产清算组织是指破产宣告后依法成立的,全面接管破产企业的专门机构,并在法院的指挥和监督之下总管破产清算事务。

Bankruptcy liquidation organization is established after the bankrupt announcement in accordance with laws and regulations, which shall totally take over the enterprise and manage the liquidation under the direction and supervision of the court.

确定破产财产

Determination of bankruptcy property

破产财产通常由下列财产构成:

Bankruptcy property comprises the following property:

宣告破产时属于破产企业经营管理的全部财产。包括破产宣告时破产企业享有所有权的财产,诸如有形财产、无形财产、货币和有价证券、投资权益等。但是,已作为担保物的财产不属于破产财产;担保物的价款超过其他所担保的债务数额的,超过部分属于破产财产。

 All property that the bankrupt enterprise operated and managed at the time bankruptcy was announced, including the property that the enterprise has already taken ownership at the time of the announcement, such as tangible property, intangible property, currency and securities bonds or interests from investment. However, property that already constitutes security collateral is not bankruptcy property; the portion of the value of the security collateral exceeding the amount of the debt that it secures is bankruptcy property.

5.召开债权人会议

Creditors’ meeting

债权人可以组成债权人会议,通过破产财产的处理和分配方案。债权人会议是债权人全体参加破产程序的意思表示机关。

The creditors can hold creditors’ meeting to adopt a plan for the disposition and distribution of bankruptcy property; and the creditors’ meeting is an organ of expression of intent for all the creditors who attend the bankrupt procedures.

处理与分配破产财产

Disposition and distribution of bankruptcy property

破产财产和破产债权确定后,就可对破产财产进行处理和分配。清算人应提出破产处理与分配方案,经债权人会议讨论通过,报请人民法院裁定后执行。

When the bankruptcy property and bankruptcy credit have been determined, the bankruptcy property can be distributed. The distribution plan for the bankruptcy property shall be proposed by the liquidation organization, adopted by the creditors meeting and submitted to the people’s court for judgment before implementation.

破产终结

Conclusion of the procedures for bankruptcy

破产程序进行中,如发生了破产程序终结的法定原因时,由法院裁定终结破产程序。

During the process of bankruptcy procedure, the court shall terminate the procedures for bankruptcy in case of the statutory reasons occurs.

按照我国破产法的规定,破产程序终结的情形有:

Under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Act in China, the circumstances that may cause the conclusion of the procedures for bankruptcy include:

1)债务人能够执行和解协议的

When the creditors is able to implement the settlement

在破产程序进行中,债务人或者破产人申请和解,经与债权人会议达成和解协议,并经法院认可后,破产程序应当终结。

After the people’s court accepts an application for bankruptcy, if the relevant debtor and all the creditors conclude an agreement on settlement of credits and debts by themselves, they may request the court to confirm it and terminate the procedures for bankruptcy.

2)破产财产不足以支付破产费用的

When the assets fails to clear off the bankrupt expenses

清算组在清算过程上,发现债务人的财产或者破产财产不足清偿破产费用和共益债务,应报告人民法院,申请宣告破产程序终结。  

Where the debtor’s assets are not enough to clear off the bankrupt expenses, the relevant bankruptcy administrator shall apply with the people’s court for concluding the procedures for bankruptcy.

  (3)破产财产分配完毕的,由人民法院裁定终结破产程序

Upon conclusion of a conclusive distribution, The people’s court shall make a decision on whether to conclude the procedures.

人民法院作出破产程序的裁定一经作出,破产程序即告终结,未得到期清偿的债权不再清偿。但在破产终结后一定期限内,发现原破产企业尚有可分配的财产时,应给予债权人追加分配。

 After the termination of bankruptcy proceedings, claims that have not been repaid shall no longer be repaid. But within a certain period of time after the procedures for bankruptcy are concluded, where the bankrupt has any other asset that shall have been distributed. a creditor may request the people’s court to make an additional distribution.

破产程序终结后,应当由清算组织向破产企业原登记机关办理注销登记,并发布公告。至此,破产企业的法人资格彻底消灭,没有得到期清偿的债权即行消灭,不再受偿。破产企业进行注销登记后,人民法院应当宣布清算组织撤销。 

 

After the conclusion of the bankruptcy proceedings, the liquidation organization shall handle the procedures for the cancellation of registration at the original registration authorities of the bankrupt enterprise. Up to this step, the qualification as a legal person for the enterprise vanishes. After the termination of bankruptcy proceedings, claims that have not been repaid shall no longer be repaid. After the cancellation of registration, the court shall declare the rescission of the liquidation organization. 

 

 

 

 

 

Liquidation Procedures for Foreign Invested Enterprises (Dalian)(1)

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近年来,外国投资者在中国设立的外商投资企业越来越多,其中有许多办得很成功,但也有一些企业因为各方面原因而面临着解散清算的问题。在此就有关外商投资企业清算的法律程序作以下简要的介绍。

Recently, the amount of foreign owned enterprises is increasingly goes up. Some of them are very successful, while the others are facing some winding-up problems due to all kinds of reasons.We here give a brief introduction of the procedures of liquidation for foreign invested enterprises.

外商投资企业进行清算的,应根据不同情况进行。如果企业出现了资不抵债的情况,应当按《破产法》的规定进行破产清算;如仍然有债务偿还能力的,应按《外商投资企业清算办法》进行非破产清算。这里先介绍非破产清算的普通清算程序。

The liquidation of foreign invested enterprises varies due to different situations.  In case of asset value of the enterprise is less than its issued debt; the Law of Enterprise Bankruptcy would govern. Provided that the enterprises are still able to repay the debts, Measures for Liquidation of Enterprise with Foreign Investment shall govern. Here we introduce to common liquidation procedures for non-bankruptcy liquidation.

 

一、        非破产清算的原因

Reasons for non-bankruptcy liquidation

  企业通常在下列情况下须进入非破产清算程序:

  1. 经营期限届满;

  2. 因发生严重亏损,无力继续经营而解散;

  3. 合营一方不履行相关义务,致使企业无法继续经营而解散;

  4. 因未达到其经营目的,同时又无发展前途而解散;

  5. 因自然灾害、战争等不可抗力遭受严重损失而解散;

  6. 违反中国法律、法规、被依法责令关闭而解散。

上述第2345项所列情形,均须经企业审批机关批准。

A joint venture may be dissolved in the following situations

  (1 termination of duration of the venture

  (2 inability to continue operations due to heavy losses

  (3 inability to continue operations due to the failure of one of the contracting parties to fulfill its obligations prescribed in the agreement contract and articles of association

  (4 inability to continue operations due to heavy losses caused by force majeure such as natural calamities and wars

  (5 failure to obtain the desired objectives of the operation and no prospects for future development

6the business license of the company is revoked by law, or the company is ordered to terminate or cancelled;

In cases described in 2), 3), 4and 5of this Article the board of directors shall make an application for dissolution to the examining and approving authorities for approval.

 二、清算的期限The term of liquidation

企业清算期限应当从清算开始之日起,至向企业审批机关提交清算报告之日止,期间不得超过180天。因特殊情况需要延长的,应向企业原审批机关提出申请,但延长期限不得超过90天。

The term of liquidation of an enterprise shall be 180 days, counting from the starting date of the liquidation to date on which the liquidation report is submitted to the examination and approval authorities of the enterprise. When there is a need to extend the term of liquidation due to some special reasons, the liquidation committee shall submit an application for the extension to the examination and approval authorities of the enterprise. 90 days shall be the limit for extension.

 

三、清算委员会

Liquidation committee

自清算开始之日起15天内,企业董事会应组成至少3人参加的清算委员会,成员一般由董事及在中国注册的律师、会计师担任。清算委员会的主要职权是:

The board of directors of the enterprise shall organize and establish a liquidation committee for the liquidation of the enterprise, and its members generally include directors and lawyers and accountants holding licenses in China. The liquidation committee shall be established within 15 days from the starting date of the liquidation. The liquidation committee shall exercise the following powers and functions:

  1.编制资产负债表和财产清单,制定清算方案;

  2. 公告未知债权人并书面通知已知债权人;

  3. 处理与清算有关的企业未了结的义务;

  4. 清缴所欠税款;

  5. 清理债权、债务;

6. 代表企业应诉和起诉。

 (1) working out a balance sheet and a detailed inventory of assets of the enterprise, and formulating a scheme of liquidation;
 (2) informing unknown creditors by announcement and notifying the known creditors in writing;
 (3) disposing of any liquidation relevant unfinished business of the enterprise ;
 (4) paying off taxes owed by the enterprise
 (5) clearing up claims and debts;

 (6) Participating in civil lawsuits on behalf of the enterprise.


四、清算通知与公告

Notice and Announcement

企业应当在清算开始之日起7天内向相关部门发出清算通知,并应在清算委员会成立之日起10天内,在报纸上公告通知债权人申报债权。

The enterprise shall, within seven days from the starting date of the liquidation, notify the relevant administrative departments.

The liquidation committee shall, within 10 days of its establishment, make announcement in a newspaper to notify the creditors to creditors to lodge claims.

 

五、清算财产分配

Assets allocation

  根据有关法律规定,清算财产在优先支付清算费用,之后应按下列顺序清偿:

  1.职工的工资、劳动保险费;

  2.国家税款。

3.其他债务。

After the prior deduction of liquidation expenses from the assets subject to liquidation, payment shall be made in the following order:
 (1) wages and labor insurance premiums of the staff and workers;
 (2) taxes; and
 (3) other debts.

之后的剩余财产,按照投资者的实际出比例分配。如发现企业财产不足清偿债务的,清算委员会应当向法院申请宣告企业破产,之后按照有关破产清算程序处理。

The remaining assets of the enterprise shall be distributed in proportion to the actual investments by the investors. If the assets of the enterprise are insufficient to pay off its debts, the liquidation committee shall apply to the people’s court for a declaration of bankruptcy of the enterprise; the enterprise having been declared bankruptcy in accordance with the law shall be treated in accordance with laws and regulations concerning bankruptcy liquidation.

 

  六、清算终结 Termination of liquidation

清算委员会完成上述财产清偿工作后将制作清算报告,并经董事会确认后报企业审批机关备案。之后清算委员会须向税务机关、海关办理注销登记,并向工商局办理企业注销登记。同时,须在报纸上公告企业终止。

The liquidation committee shall, after finishing the work defined by the scheme of liquidation, work out a liquidation report. The liquidation report shall, after confirmed by the Board of Directors, be submitted to the examination and approval authorities of the enterprise for filing.

The liquidation committee shall then go through the cancellation formalities with the tax authorities and the customs. And hand in the business license to the Industrial and Administrative Bureau for cancellation. At the same time, an announcement of the termination of the enterprise shall be on a newspaper.