Telephone
02-77093611
Line
@fdlaw
address
17th Floor, No. 180, Section 2, Dunhua South Road, Da'an District, Taipei City
Taipei Business Lawyer | Corporate Disputes, Business Contracts and Company Law
Foreign companies doing business in Taiwan often need prompt, practical legal support when a transaction begins to break down. FDLAW assists overseas companies in disputes involving Taiwanese suppliers, customers, manufacturers, distributors, and other business partners. We communicate directly in English, identify the commercial objective, and explain the available legal options under Taiwan law in clear terms.Taipei Commercial LawyerTypical matters include breach of contract, defective goods, unpaid invoices, late delivery, failure to meet specifications, termination disputes, and OEM/ODM disagreements over tooling, quality, intellectual property, payment, or production schedules. We also assist when a foreign company needs to preserve evidence, send a formal demand letter, respond to a Taiwanese counterparty, or prepare for commercial litigation in Taiwan.
When handling business cases, Fidelity Law Firm not only examines legal provisions, but also considers the purpose of the transaction, contractual arrangements, payment and performance conditions, evidence, and subsequent dispute risks, assisting companies in choosing a practical and enforceable solution.
How FDLAW Helps Foreign Companies Resolve Business Disputes in Taiwan
When businesses truly need a business lawyer, it's usually because a transaction is underway, payments are not being collected, partners have differing opinions, investors are preparing to enter the market, foreign clients are defaulting, or the company is already facing significant operational risks. When dealing with these issues, it's crucial to assess the business objective, contractual terms, financial data, evidence, and litigation risks together, rather than simply responding to a single legal provision.
When an individual foreign investor and a Taiwanese business partner fall into dispute, our foreign-client dispute guide helps distinguish personal, shareholder and company claims before choosing a procedure.
WhatsAppMessage FDLAWEmail Charles LeeDoes the company currently have issues related to contracts, shareholders, payments, or commercial disputes?
You can start by providing the main contracts, the amount in dispute, the current procedures, and the company's desired outcome. The lawyer can then use the contracts, evidence, and procedures to determine the next steps: negotiation, sending letters, preserving evidence, or initiating litigation.
Which companies need business lawyers?
Determine whether the company should consult a lawyer first based on the situation it is currently facing.
The contract is under negotiation, but the terms don't seem very reassuring.
If the terms of payment, liability for breach of contract, termination, acceptance, and jurisdiction are not clearly defined in advance in procurement, contracting, appointment, distribution, agency, franchising, confidentiality agreements, MOUs, English contracts, OEM/ODM, or international trade terms, they often turn into commercial litigation later.
Customers or manufacturers default on payments and are unable to collect them.
When a company faces issues such as overdue payments, delayed deliveries from suppliers, quality defects, or disputes between upstream and downstream contractors, the optimal order for handling these situations is to gather evidence, determine the appropriate legal action (lawyer's letter, payment order, injunctive relief), mediation, arbitration, or litigation. If the company is already in litigation, further information can be found in the following documents.Evidence and Litigation Strategies When a Company Enters Commercial Litigation.
Business deadlock among shareholders, directors or partners
Equity ratios, capital contributions, nominee registration, the right to inspect accounts, shareholders' meetings and board meetings, the responsibilities of directors and supervisors, the struggle for operational control, and the design of company articles of association all require a business lawyer to handle both corporate law and actual business operations. RegardingShareholder disputes and corporate deadlock resolutionFirst, the shareholding structure, accounting records, and meeting procedures should be confirmed. When specific audits, shareholder meetings, or power struggles arise, a lawyer specializing in shareholder disputes, shareholding controversies, and corporate management should plan the procedures regarding the company's rights and control structure. For details on obtaining specific documents and the procedures for inspection, please refer to [link to relevant documentation].Shareholders' applications for audit, book review and inspectionFor specific exit and transaction arrangements, please refer to [link/document/reference].50-50 Shareholder Deadlock and Equity ExitWhen corporate governance involves loans or shareholder funds, a distinction should also be made.Tax and corporate law risks of fund transactions between the company and its shareholders.
New or small and medium-sized enterprises preparing to raise funds or introduce investors
Letters of intent, shareholder agreements, preferred shares, closed corporations, founders’ rights, exit mechanisms, and non-compete clauses can affect control and future fundraising. It is recommended to conduct a legal risk assessment before signing.
The company has cross-border transactions, foreign clients, or overseas cooperation.
International sales, distribution, shipping and supply contracts require attention to governing law, forum and arbitration clauses, payment terms, Incoterms and enforcement. If a Taiwanese counterparty has not paid, assess cross-border debt recovery and enforcement in Taiwan alongside the evidence. Our guide to unpaid invoices and debt recovery against Taiwanese companies provides further transaction-focused discussion.
The company is concerned about risks related to trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, or employee turnover.
NDA, non-compete agreements, confidentiality classifications, customer lists, technical data, trademark infringement, copyright licensing and intellectual property disputes should be planned in conjunction with labor, IP and commercial litigation strategies.
FDLAW’s Business Legal Advantages
Twenty years of experience in commercial law, with extensive experience working with accountants, corporations, and cross-border transaction practitioners.
To truly understand business processes, you need to do more than just modify the text.
Fidelity Law Firm's lead attorneyCharles LeeWith twenty years of experience in commercial law practice, including a former assistant manager at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, I have long collaborated with accountants and corporate teams. This means that when reviewing contracts, we consider not only the clauses but also the transaction process, tax and accounting context, internal decision-making, payment schedules, risk allocation, and feasibility of execution. When involved in tax investigations, it's advisable to first understand...Accounting and evidence preparation when transactions are audited by the IRSIf the competent authority has already made an approval or penalty for the transaction, then a separate confirmation is required.Remedies after a transaction is subject to back taxes or penalties by the IRSOur firm has also compiled some of its publicly disclosed case results and professional experience into [the relevant document/platform].Representative Cases and Professional AchievementsThis page provides further information for businesses.
Capable of handling everything from general corporate legal matters to highly complex commercial disputes.
From corporate law compliance, shareholders' meetings and board meetings, securities transaction laws, investment and mergers and acquisitions, business contracts, and international trade, to commercial litigation, arbitration, debt collection, trade secrets, economic crimes, and major civil and criminal cases, our firm can arrange suitable lawyers to handle the cases according to their nature.
The focus of a business lawyer is not to exaggerate the risks to the point that the transaction cannot proceed.Instead, it's about finding solutions that can be negotiated, controlled, documented, and implemented, within the context of the company's desired business objectives.
Main business legal services
From company formation, operation, transactions to dispute resolution, companies need sustainable support from business lawyers.
Corporate Law and Corporate Governance
- Shareholders' Meeting, Board of Directors and Articles of Association
- Shareholder agreement, capital contribution and equity structure
- Disputes over the responsibilities of directors and supervisors and management rights
- Closed-loop companies and new equity design
Business contract review and negotiation
- Contracts, Procurement, Contracting, Appointment (in both Chinese and English)
- Distribution, agency, franchising, supply chain management
- NDA, MOU, technology cooperation and licensing
- Clauses on Liability for Breach of Contract, Termination, Acceptance and Jurisdiction
Commercial disputes and commercial litigation
- Payment collection and compensation for breach of contract
- Delayed delivery or quality defects by partner manufacturers
- Business negotiation, mediation, arbitration and litigation
- Presumptive seizure, presumptive injunction and evidence preservation
Investment, joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions
- Letter of Intent and Equity Transfer Agreement
- Legal due diligence and risk disclosure
- Joint venture negotiation and exit mechanism
- Framework for Overseas Investment and Transnational Cooperation
International trade and cross-border transactions
- Foreign customer default and cross-border claims
- International trade, freight and insurance recovery
- Applicable law, court of jurisdiction and arbitration clause
- OEM/ODM, Export and Import Agency
Legal Compliance, Labor Relations and Trade Secrets
- Employment contracts, work rules, and turnover risks
- Confidentiality policy, non-compete agreement and client list
- Fair trade, consumer protection and franchise law compliance
- Personal assets, intellectual property rights, and corporate internal control systems
Business Risk Assessment
Common Business Risks and Solutions for Enterprises
Current status of the enterprise
Legal assistance is usually required.
Recommended key points to focus on
The company needs to sign major contracts, contracts in English, or cross-border cooperation.
Contract review, terms negotiation, payment and liability for breach of contract, applicable law and jurisdiction
First, confirm the payment schedule, acceptance criteria, termination, damages limits, confidentiality obligations, ownership of intellectual property rights, and where to handle any disputes in the future.
Customers fail to pay, manufacturers fail to deliver goods, or cooperation breaks down.
Lawyer's letter, evidence collection, payment order, preliminary attachment, mediation, litigation or arbitration
First, save orders, quotations, statements of account, invoices, shipping and acceptance records, and Line or email correspondence, then determine whether to negotiate, urge action, preserve assets, or file a lawsuit directly.
Disagreements among shareholders or partners can stall company operations.
Shareholder agreement, articles of association, shareholders' meeting and board of directors, auditing rights, management strategies
Examine capital contribution certificates, articles of association, shareholder agreements, meeting minutes and company registration information; assess negotiations, audits, preliminary injunctions, confirm the validity of resolutions or hold directors and supervisors accountable.
New startup fundraising, attracting investors, or designing equity.
Term Sheet, Shareholding Structure, Preferred Stock, Closed-Lock Company, Exit Mechanism
Before signing investment documents, clarify the founder's control, investor protection clauses, anti-dilution, liquidation preference, information rights, non-compete agreements, and future exit arrangements.
Disputes arising from distribution, agency, franchising, or supply chain management
Channel contracts, security deposits, territorial restrictions, termination clauses, non-competition and trade secrets
Confirm whether regional and performance targets, deposit refunds, trademark authorizations, customer complaint responsibilities, inventory handling, early termination, penalties for breach of contract, and non-compete agreements can be effectively implemented.
The company needs regular external legal support.
Permanent legal counsel, contract templates, internal regulations review, immediate consultation and litigation support
Establish common contract templates, approval processes, collection processes, and labor and trade secret systems so that the company has documents and processes to follow before disputes arise.
When a company faces a major legal dispute, how should it choose the right course of action?
The company discovered internal fraud or irregularities in funds:Employee embezzlementPurchase rebatesFor cases involving false payment requests or transactions with unusual related parties, legally preserve accounting records, cash flow statements, and digital evidence, and conduct a simultaneous assessment.Internal investigation and labor relations handlingCriminal complaints and civil claims.
Directors, executives, or senior managers are under criminal investigation.In cases involving allegations of company searches, interviews, or breach of trust, the identities of those involved should be verified first, and company decision-making, contract, and transaction records should be compiled before any action is taken.Corporate Criminal Investigation and Defense.
Employees or competitors are suspected of taking away confidential information:In the event of a leak of customer lists, source code, or technology, it is necessary to verify confidential information, reasonable security measures, and legal electronic evidence before further evaluation.Trade secret protection and remedies for infringementA crime cannot be determined simply because information was leaked.
Disputes between shareholders and directors regarding management rights and company assets:Refusing to be audited, unclear fund flows, or suspected embezzlement will first be handled byLawyers specializing in shareholder disputes, equity controversies, and corporate management rights.Clarify the company's damages, individual shareholders' rights, and the procedures for obtaining information, and then assess civil and potential criminal liabilities separately.
Processing flow
In commercial cases, first clarify the business objective, then determine the legal tools.
Preliminary inventory
Confirm the company's objectives, urgency, transaction partners, amount, evidence, and whether there are time limits or preservation requirements.
Risk Classification
Determine which risks must be addressed immediately and which can be controlled through terms, negotiations, documents, or internal processes.
Propose strategies
Choose the appropriate route among business negotiations, lawyer's letters, mediation, arbitration, litigation, or legal counsel.
Continued support
Assist with subsequent contract amendments, meetings, negotiations, evidence preparation, litigation representation, or the establishment of internal company systems.
FAQ
Common Questions for Business Lawyers
When should a company hire a business lawyer?
Before signing major contracts, introducing investors, designing equity structures, dealing with disputes over payments or defaults, disputes over distribution, agency, or franchising, cross-border transactions, leakage of trade secrets, liability of directors and supervisors, or commercial litigation, it is advisable to consult a business lawyer for evaluation.
What are the differences between a business lawyer and a general civil lawyer?
In addition to understanding civil law and litigation, business lawyers also need to be familiar with corporate operations, accounting and taxation, transaction processes, contract negotiations, equity arrangements, and business risks. Fidelity Law Firm has a long history of working with accountants and businesses, enabling it to plan for both legal and business objectives.
Should business contracts be signed before or after a dispute arises when a lawyer is consulted?
It is best to review contracts before signing, especially those in both Chinese and English, including distribution agreements, franchise agreements, procurement agreements, contracting agreements, OEM/ODM agreements, NDAs, MOUs, and investment or shareholder agreements. If a breach of contract or non-payment has occurred, evidence and negotiation strategies should be prepared as soon as possible.
Can shareholder disputes and management rights disputes be handled by business lawyers?
Yes. Shareholder disputes often involve shareholder meetings, board meetings, company articles of association, shareholder agreements, capital contributions or nominee registration, the responsibilities of directors and supervisors, the right to inspect accounts, company deadlock, and power struggles.
How to handle disputes related to payment for goods, breach of contract, distribution, agency, or international trade?
Typically, the first step is to review contracts, orders, quotations, shipping and acceptance records, reconciliation data, correspondence, and payment evidence before determining whether to send a lawyer's letter, conduct negotiations, request a payment order or preliminary attachment, or initiate civil litigation or arbitration.
Do small and medium-sized enterprises need a permanent in-house legal counsel?
If a company frequently engages in contract signing, payment collection, staffing, channel expansion, customer complaint handling, and dealings with suppliers or foreign clients, it will have a fixed...Legal ConsultantIt is usually more effective than remedial measures after the fact.
Contact FDLAW for English-Speaking Business Legal Support
Charles Lee, Managing Partner. PhD in Law, Newcastle University, United Kingdom. Charles communicates directly in English with foreign clients regarding commercial disputes and cross-border matters. Office: +886 2 7709 3611. WhatsApp: +886 935 333 715. LINE: @fdlaw. Email: charleslee@fdlaw.com.tw.
02-7709-361117th Floor, No. 180, Section 2, Dunhua South Road, Da'an District, Taipei Cityinfo@fdlaw.com.twLine: @fdlaw
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