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Practical legal situations · Shenzhen

Civil and workplace problems

Starting points for pay, purchases and private debts in mainland Shenzhen. Covered employment disputes follow their own labour process; consumer and ordinary civil claims use different routes.

3 illustrative casesOfficial sources checked 21 Oct 2026

General information for mainland Shenzhen. These are illustrative examples, not reported judgments or personal legal advice. Hong Kong and Macao have separate systems.

01

Unpaid wages or a dismissal notice

A salary payment is missing, deductions are unexplained, or the employer asks you to leave or sign an exit agreement.

What to do first

  1. List each pay period, amount due and amount received; save any dismissal notice and delivery date.
  2. Ask the employer in writing for the pay calculation, termination reason and proposed settlement.
  3. Ask Shenzhen HRSS about wage arrears or the competent arbitration committee; take employer and work-permission records.
Where to take it

Use the official wage-arrears channels for missing pay and check labour-arbitration jurisdiction for disputed employment rights. Foreign workers need a qualifying-status check under the final 2025 SPC interpretation; preserve permanent-residence, work-permit and lawful stay/residence records.

A mistake to avoid

Do not sign a resignation or “paid in full” statement you do not understand.

Get help promptly when…

Get advice promptly after dismissal or receipt of an award. Arbitration generally has a one-year limit, with special rules for wage arrears during an ongoing relationship.

Records to keep3 useful records
  • Contract, employer’s legal name and work/residence documents
  • Payslips, bank entries, attendance and overtime instructions
  • Dismissal notice, delivery record and settlement drafts

Use records already safely and lawfully available. Do not delay urgent help or expose yourself or a child to danger to collect documents.

Official sources and legal basis

Links and relevant provisions checked 21 October 2026. English and Spanish are editorial translations; consult the official Chinese text.

02

A faulty purchase and a refused refund

An item bought for personal use is faulty, fails to match promised quality, or the seller rejects a repair, replacement or refund request.

What to do first

  1. Stop using an unsafe item; photograph the fault and keep the item, packaging and order details.
  2. Write to the seller with the problem, purchase date and specific remedy you want.
  3. If unresolved, use the official 12315 consumer-complaint channel with the seller’s identity and your records.
Where to take it

Start with the seller or platform, then Shenzhen AMR / 12315. A consumer complaint seeks dispute resolution; reporting a suspected violation is a separate process. Quality remedies and eligible distance-sale no-reason returns follow different rules.

A mistake to avoid

Do not assume every purchase has an unconditional seven-day refund right.

Get help promptly when…

Act promptly on a product safety risk or injury; preserve the item and medical records, and check the applicable return window.

Records to keep3 useful records
  • Order, receipt and payment record
  • Listing, promised specifications and warranty terms
  • Fault photos/video and complete seller conversations

Use records already safely and lawfully available. Do not delay urgent help or expose yourself or a child to danger to collect documents.

Official sources and legal basis

Links and relevant provisions checked 21 October 2026. English and Spanish are editorial translations; consult the official Chinese text.

03

A private loan has not been repaid

You lent money to another person and repayment is overdue, or the borrower disputes the amount or says the transfer was a gift.

What to do first

  1. Identify the borrower, money actually advanced, repayments and agreed due date.
  2. Send a dated repayment demand; if no due date was agreed, request repayment within a reasonable period.
  3. If talks fail, prepare a civil claim and check the competent court and any arbitration clause.
Where to take it

Try a documented voluntary settlement. If unresolved, check civil court filing or an applicable arbitration agreement; prepare evidence of both the loan arrangement and money delivered. Shenzhen court guidance and 12368 help identify filing requirements.

A mistake to avoid

Do not seize belongings or publish the borrower’s personal details as a collection tactic.

Get help promptly when…

Seek prompt advice if assets or records may disappear, or the debt is old. Ordinary civil limitation is generally three years; its start and interruption need checking.

Records to keep3 useful records
  • Loan agreement / IOU and borrower’s identity details
  • Transfer records and partial repayments
  • Full messages about the loan, due date and demands

Use records already safely and lawfully available. Do not delay urgent help or expose yourself or a child to danger to collect documents.

Official sources and legal basis

Links and relevant provisions checked 21 October 2026. English and Spanish are editorial translations; consult the official Chinese text.

Another situation?

Explore the other subsections

Rental problems →Police, fraud and crime →Family safety, separation and children →Immigration and work permission →Suppliers, invoices and contracts →

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Illustrative guidance edited by LifeShenzhen from the linked official sources. Requirements and outcomes depend on the facts, current procedure and individual legal assessment.