Legal Risk Management
China Company Litigation Search Guide: How to Check Court Records
A supplier might have a valid business license and a professional website, but their court history tells the real story. Learn how to uncover lawsuits, unpaid judgments, and "dishonest person" listings.
Published March 6, 2026 · 9 min read
Why Litigation Checks are Essential in 2026
When importing from China, most buyers focus on the product and the price. However, the most successful importers focus on the legal health of the entity they are paying. In the Chinese legal system, litigation records are public, but they are often difficult for foreign buyers to access and interpret.
A company involved in numerous contract disputes is likely failing to meet its obligations to other partners. Even worse, a company listed on the "Dishonest Persons" registry (失信被执行人) has essentially been blacklisted by the court for refusing to comply with a judgment. Paying such a company is one of the highest risks you can take in international trade.
Checking litigation records allows you to answer three critical questions:
- Does this company have a history of breaking contracts?
- Is the company currently facing financial distress or asset freezes?
- Is the management of the company trustworthy and compliant with the law?
4 Key Legal Indicators to Monitor
Civil Litigation (民事案件)
Contract disputes, intellectual property theft, and labor disagreements. High volumes of breach-of-contract cases are a major red flag for reliability.
Enforcement Records (执行案件)
When a court orders a company to pay but they haven't yet. This indicates immediate cash flow or compliance issues.
Dishonest Persons List (失信被执行人)
Commonly known as "Laolai" (老赖). These are entities that have the means to pay a court judgment but refuse to. Dealing with them is extremely high risk.
Restricted Consumption (限制高消费)
Court-imposed limits on the company's legal representative, preventing them from flying, using high-speed rail, or staying in luxury hotels due to unpaid debts.
How to Search Litigation Records
There are several ways to search for a Chinese company's litigation history, ranging from official government portals to automated tools like QinCheck.
1. China Judgments Online (中国裁判文书网)
The Supreme People's Court maintains a massive database of court judgments. While comprehensive, it is notoriously slow, entirely in Chinese, and often requires a Chinese mobile number for registration. If you have the Chinese name of your supplier, you can search here for historical cases.
2. China Court Data (中国执行信息公开网)
This is the official portal for enforcement information. It is where you find the "Dishonest Persons" (Laolai) list. A search here requires the company name and, ideally, the Unified Social Credit Code (USCC).
3. QinCheck Automated Litigation Search
For most buyers, the official portals are inaccessible. QinCheck bridges this gap by querying these official sources in real-time and providing a consolidated, English-language summary of the company's legal status.
Analyzing the Results: What counts as a Red Flag?
Not every lawsuit is a sign of fraud. Large, established companies (like Xiaomi or Huawei) will naturally have hundreds of IP or labor cases. The key is context and volume.
Critical Risk: Any entry on the Dishonest Persons list or active Enforcement cases for significant amounts.
High Risk: Multiple recent "Sales Contract Dispute" cases where the supplier is the defendant.
Medium Risk: A pattern of labor disputes or small claims that suggest operational disorganization.
If your supplier has a "Dishonest Person" flag, our advice is simple: Do not send money. Recovery of funds from a company that has already ignored a court order is practically impossible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Laolai" mean in Chinese business?
"Laolai" (老赖) is a derogatory term for "dishonest debt shirkers." It refers to individuals or companies that have been legally ordered to pay a debt but have refused to do so despite having the assets. They are subject to social credit penalties and travel restrictions.
Can a company with a lawsuit still be a good supplier?
Yes, especially if the company is large. You should look for the outcome of the case and the reason for it. A few labor disputes or IP cases are common. Frequent "Contract Dispute" cases are much more concerning for a buyer.
How far back does the litigation history go?
Official records typically go back 5-10 years, though major cases remain visible indefinitely. QinCheck reports prioritize the last 3 years of activity to give you the most relevant risk assessment.