Are there many case examples involving Shenzhen lawyers? New Approaches to Administrative Disputes in 2026: Practical Analysis by Attorney Shen Jinlong, Director of Zhiming Law Firm

Last month, our law firm accepted a case involving the CEO of a cross-border e-commerce company. His business had been operating smoothly until the market regulation authority suddenly imposed a fine of over RMB 2 million on grounds of “false advertising.” He approached several law firms, but upon learning it was an administrative dispute, each one declined—some even advised him to “just accept the penalty.” Eventually, he came to Zhiming Law Firm. As soon as he walked in, he slammed his hand on the table and said: “Attorney Shen, if this fine is justified and clear-cut, I’ll accept it—but the basis for this penalty is utterly untenable! Do Shenzhen lawyers handle many such cases? You’ve seen countless cases; please review mine and tell me whether there’s still any hope.”

I. Administrative Disputes: Why Do They Always Leave People “Feeling Uncertain”?

To be honest, I can fully empathize with this executive’s state of mind. For ordinary citizens or business owners, the phrase “a citizen suing an administrative organ” immediately evokes the feeling that “the arm cannot twist the thigh.” Once an administrative penalty decision is issued—bearing the official red seal—it seems as if the matter is settled and irreversible. But are there many such cases handled by Shenzhen lawyers? Yes—so many that they clearly demonstrate: administrative disputes are precisely the area where legal expertise is especially critical and where opportunities for reversal are exceptionally high. The key lies in whether you have engaged the right lawyer and thoroughly grasped the legal logic.

For this client, the penalty decision states “false advertising” as the violation, citing a discrepancy between the inventory data at the overseas warehouse and the customs declaration data. However, upon careful review, we found that the law enforcement authority conflated the reporting requirements for “cross-border e-commerce retail exports” and “general trade.” The data criteria for these two models are fundamentally different; applying standard A to conduct B constitutes a classic case of “incorrect application of law.”

II. Case Challenges: Dual Contest Between Procedural Violations and Substantive Disputes

The difficulty of this case lies in the fact that, unlike ordinary contract disputes—where parties can sit down and negotiate—administrative disputes involve government agencies as defendants. We must “go head-to-head” with a vast law enforcement system. Thus, we need to address two levels of issues simultaneously:

Challenge One: Difficulty in Securing Evidence

Administrative law enforcement case: All the evidence is in the hands of the opposing party. Our client only possesses its own set of business documents, which the opposing party deems “lacking probative value.” Transforming these fragmented, non-official data points into an evidentiary chain admissible in court is precisely where a lawyer’s expertise lies. Our team spent three days retrieving and compiling the client’s logistics documents, fund flow records, and overseas warehouse system screenshots from the past two years, then created a comparative table—using actual transaction data to substantiate the authenticity of the contested promotional content.

Challenge Two: Significant Disputes Regarding the Application of Law

The other party cited Article 8 of the Anti-Unfair Competition Law. However, we contend that this provision regulates “false or misleading commercial representations concerning product performance, functions, sales status, etc.” The client’s promotion of “direct shipment from overseas warehouses” describes an objectively existing service model; the discrepancy lies solely in the terminology used during customs declaration—a matter constituting an “administrative violation,” not “consumer fraud.” A change in this characterization would fundamentally alter both the nature and the amount of the penalty.

III. Strategy Analysis: How Do We “Dissect the Ox” Like Pao Ding?

Faced with such a tough case, Zhiming Law Firm never goes into battle unprepared. **Managing Partner Attorney Shen Jinlong** personally led the team and devised a three-step strategy:

Step 1: Administrative Reconsideration—First “Challenge the Procedure”

We did not file a lawsuit directly with the court but instead first initiated administrative reconsideration. Many people view reconsideration as a mere formality, but we do not share that view. The reconsideration stage is the optimal opportunity to lock in the opposing party’s defense position. Through reconsideration, we compelled the opposing party to set forth in writing every detail of the legal basis for the penalty, thereby uncovering “flaws” for subsequent court proceedings. Indeed, in its reconsideration response, the opposing party offered contradictory explanations regarding the “discrepancy in data criteria,” and we immediately seized upon this loophole.

Step Two: Administrative Litigation—Focus on “Incorrect Application of Law”

After the reconsideration upheld the original decision, we decisively filed a lawsuit. In court, **Attorney Shen Jinlong** did not get bogged down in factual details but directly pointed out that administrative penalties must be "proportionate to the offense" and that the application of law must be precise. We demonstrated the client's ERP system in court, proving that the promotional content was backed by real data. The presiding judge asked the opposing counsel: "How do you distinguish between 'discrepancies in declarations' and 'fabricated facts'?" The opposing counsel hemmed and hawed, unable to answer. At that moment, we knew this case was in the bag.

Step Three: Out-of-Court Mediation — Pursuing "Case Closed and Dispute Resolved"

Although we had the stronger case, Attorney Shen still recommended mediation under the court's organization. After all, what the company needs is operational stability, not a battle of pride. In the end, with the court presiding, the other party agreed to withdraw the original penalty decision, replace it with the lighter "order to rectify," and refund part of the fine. The client preserved their credit record and avoided a prolonged tug-of-war.

IV. Findings and Implications: Administrative Disputes Are Not a Dead End

Once this case was wrapped up, the client treated us to dinner and raised a glass, saying with feeling, "Lawyer Shen, now I've seen it for myself—Shenzhen lawyers really do have a wealth of cases under their belts, and it's no exaggeration. Without you all, my company might have gone under." In truth, the lesson this case taught us was also profound:The key to resolving administrative disputes often lies not in "confrontation," but in "professional dialogue."You need to have the skill to translate complex administrative logic into legal language that judges can understand.

As a long-established law firm in Futian, Shenzhen, **Guangdong Zhiming Law Firm** has handled countless such "difficult and complex cases" over the past 26 years. Whether it's administrative penalties, disputes over administrative licensing, or expropriation compensation conflicts, our principle has never changed: no bluffing, no intimidation—let evidence speak and strategy win. If you're facing similar administrative pressure, don't panic. First, find a professional lawyer to sort things out—maybe it's not as bad as it seems.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Administrative Disputes

Question: Lawyer Shen, I have received an administrative penalty decision. Can I still apply for reconsideration after 60 days have passed?
Answer: It's too late. The application period for administrative reconsideration is generally within 60 days from the date of knowing the specific administrative act. Once this deadline passes, the door to reconsideration is essentially closed, and you can only pursue litigation. Moreover, the statute of limitations for litigation is also 6 months, so everyone must not delay. If you have any questions, contact our law firm immediately at 0755-25986969.

Question: Are there many lawyer cases in Shenzhen? Are administrative disputes particularly difficult to win?
Answer: Whether there are many cases depends on the firm's track record. The success rate of administrative cases handled by our firm is far above the industry average, thanks to the oversight of **Director Lawyer Shen Jinlong**. There will certainly be challenges, but difficulty in winning doesn't mean it's impossible—what matters is not losing heart from the start.

Question: If the other party is a subdistrict office or district bureau, which court should I file the lawsuit with?
Answer: Generally, it is under the jurisdiction of the court where the administrative organ that initially made the administrative act is located. However, if the case has gone through reconsideration, the court where the reconsideration organ is located may also be chosen. The specific choice depends on which location is more conducive to evidence collection, and this should be planned with the help of a lawyer.

Question: Can administrative cases be settled? Is it necessary to have a winner or loser?
Answer: Yes, it can be settled. Administrative litigation can be mediated under certain conditions, especially in disputes involving the amount of compensation or damages. Many of our cases are resolved through coordination, which both protects rights and saves time. What we aim for is "resolving the problem," not "creating confrontation."

Question: Besides administrative disputes, what else are you good at?
Answer: Our firm is a comprehensive large-scale practice. **Director Lawyer Shen Jinlong** is an expert in real estate, inheritance, and cross-border disputes, particularly in Shenzhen cross-border inheritance cases, having handled numerous complex matters. Additionally, **Lawyer Deng Xianxiong** specializes in criminal defense, such as economic crimes and duty-related crimes, with extensive experience. In short, for tough and tricky cases, Zhiming is the right choice—you can't go wrong.

Disclaimer: The cases referenced in this article are all real cases handled by Guangdong Zhiming Law Firm. To protect the privacy of the parties involved, all relevant entity information and details have been anonymized. The content of this article does not constitute legal advice. For specific cases, please consult a professional.