GRATA International Azerbaijan, China, Russia (St. Petersburg), Serbia and Uzbekistan Participated in the 2026 Chinese-Speaking Lawyers Convention in Shenzhen. Dr. Gulnur Nurkeyeva, Managing Partner and Head of GRATA International’s China Office, Participated as a Guest Speaker

GRATA International Azerbaijan, China, Russia (St. Petersburg), Serbia and Uzbekistan Participated in the 2026 Chinese-Speaking Lawyers Convention in Shenzhen. Dr. Gulnur Nurkeyeva, Managing Partner and Head of GRATA International’s China Office, Participated as a Guest Speaker

In September 2026, the 2026 Chinese-Speaking Lawyers Convention was held in Shenzhen under the theme “Supporting Chinese Enterprises in Expanding into International Markets and Integrating Legal Services in the Asia-Pacific Region.”

As part of the conference, during the panel session “Approaches to Cross-Border Dispute Resolution,” organised by the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA), Dr. Gulnur Nurkeyeva, Head of the China Office of GRATA International, delivered a presentation on the practical aspects of choosing an arbitration forum.

The key message of the presentation was: an arbitral award is worth only as much as can actually be recovered under it. A neutral seat of arbitration in a third country primarily protects against a risk that exists largely in the parties’ perception. At the same time, it creates a very real risk: a foreign arbitral award may have to be recognised by the state courts of the debtor’s country.

In jurisdictions where there is a risk of refusal to recognise a foreign arbitral award, including on public policy grounds, it may be preferable to choose the seat of arbitration in the jurisdiction where the respondent or its assets are located. In that case, a separate recognition stage is not required, and interim measures can be obtained from the outset of the dispute. Dr. Nurkeyeva also noted the amendments to the Arbitration Law of the People’s Republic of China, which have been in force since 1 March 2026. 

For example, under contracts for the supply of Chinese equipment that provide for advance payment, the respondent will most likely be a Chinese company. Accordingly, the arbitration should be seated in China, for example, under the auspices of SCIA.

If the project is located in Kazakhstan, the International Arbitration Centre (IAC) of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) should be considered. The risk of non-recognition is practically eliminated by the structure itself, as an Enforcement Order is issued by the AIFC Court, without the need for a separate recognition procedure.

Participation in the conference supports GRATA International’s objective of providing legal support for cross-border projects between China, Central Asia, the Caucasus and Europe, and strengthening ties with leading arbitration institutions.

The conference brought together more than 500 Chinese-speaking lawyers, representatives of overseas Chinese communities, members of the expert and academic communities, business representatives and industry associations from 58 countries and regions.

GRATA International was represented by Managing Partner of the China Office, Gulnur Nurkeyeva; Managing Partner of the Azerbaijan Office, Ummi Jalilova; Managing Partner of the Uzbekistan Office, Bakhodir Jabborov; Senior Partner of the Serbia Office (T-S Legal), Stevan Pajović; Senior Partner of the Serbia Office (T-S Legal), Srdjan Djordjevic; Counsel at the China Office, Galiya Mukhanbet; and Managing Partner of the Saint Petersburg Office, Vladimir Komarov.