Profile

Haiyang Zhang is a senior partner at Beijing Long'an Law Firm and the director of its Commercial Arbitration Department. He graduated from Renmin University Law School and was admitted to the Beijing Bar Association in 2003. With over twenty years of legal experience, he focuses his practice on commercial arbitration, dispute resolution, and related advisory work.

Before entering private practice, Mr. Zhang served in the Beijing municipal government and judicial administrative organs, where he gained substantial experience with the workings of government and the judicial system. This background gives him a practical understanding of how regulatory and administrative processes interact with commercial dispute resolution.

Since transitioning to private practice, Mr. Zhang has focused on commercial arbitration, building a practice that serves both domestic and international clients. He is familiar with the procedural rules and practices of major arbitration institutions in China and internationally, and he brings this knowledge to bear in each matter he handles.

Practice Areas

Commercial Arbitration

Mr. Zhang's core practice is commercial arbitration, covering disputes that arise from cross-border transactions, joint venture agreements, construction contracts, supply chain arrangements, and other commercial relationships. He advises clients at every stage of the arbitration process, from the initial drafting of arbitration agreements through the conduct of proceedings to the enforcement of awards.

His services include drafting arbitration and mediation clauses for commercial contracts, advising on the selection of applicable law and arbitration venue, developing case strategy, preparing pleadings and evidentiary submissions, attending hearings, and managing document production and witness examination. He also advises clients on the enforcement of arbitration awards, including the conversion of awards into court judgments and the execution of awards against assets in relevant jurisdictions. He has particular experience with enforcement proceedings in Hong Kong, where arbitration awards from Mainland China and other New York Convention signatory states can be enforced through the Hong Kong courts.

International and Domestic Arbitration

Mr. Zhang's arbitration practice covers both international and domestic matters. In international arbitration, he handles disputes involving parties from different jurisdictions, multi-jurisdictional asset tracing, and the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in China. He is familiar with the procedural rules of major international arbitration institutions and the strategic considerations involved in choosing between institutional and ad hoc arbitration. In domestic arbitration, he represents clients in proceedings before Chinese arbitration commissions, drawing on his knowledge of local procedural practices and substantive law.

Arbitration Institution Appointments

Mr. Zhang has been appointed as an arbitrator by multiple leading institutions, including the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, the Dubai International Arbitration Centre, the Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre, the Asian International Arbitration Centre, the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration, the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, the Shanghai International Arbitration Centre, the Beijing International Arbitration Centre, the Hainan International Arbitration Court, the China Maritime Arbitration Commission, the London Maritime Arbitrators Association, and the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration, among others. He is also listed on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Arbitrator Panel. These appointments reflect recognition of his expertise in both international and domestic arbitration practice.

Cross-Border Dispute Resolution

Mr. Zhang handles disputes that involve parties, assets, or applicable laws in multiple jurisdictions, with a particular focus on matters connected to mainland China and Hong Kong. He advises clients on the strategic considerations involved in choosing between arbitration, mediation, and litigation, taking into account factors such as enforceability, cost, timeline, and confidentiality. He also assists with the enforcement of awards issued by arbitration commissions in Mainland China and other New York Convention jurisdictions.

Approach to Practice

Mr. Zhang approaches each dispute with an emphasis on thorough preparation and strategic clarity. He takes the time to understand the commercial context of each matter, the client's objectives, and the risks and opportunities presented by the available procedural options. He communicates regularly with clients throughout the dispute resolution process and provides clear advice on the costs, timelines, and likely outcomes associated with each strategic choice. He is known for his ability to assess complex factual and legal issues quickly and to develop practical strategies that serve his clients' commercial interests rather than pursuing procedural victories that do not advance the client's position.

He also works to resolve disputes efficiently where possible, recognizing that litigation and arbitration are not always the most cost-effective path. Where appropriate, he advises clients on mediation and other alternative dispute resolution mechanisms as a means of achieving a satisfactory outcome without the expense and delay of a full arbitration hearing.

Professional Affiliations

Mr. Zhang is a member of the Beijing Bar Association. He maintains his professional knowledge through continuing legal education focused on developments in arbitration law and practice, both in China and internationally.

Languages

Mr. Zhang is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and English. He conducts legal research, drafts documents, and communicates with clients in both languages.