Reviewed legal insight

What documents should you prepare to discuss a cross-border contract or dispute?

A complete document set helps explain the transaction and identify missing facts. Start with the agreement, chronology and records of what each party actually did.

The checklist below is editorial preparation guidance for a first legal discussion. It is not a universal court filing list, a request to upload sensitive documents or a finding that your claim is valid.

Review state
Human reviewed
Last reviewed
Sep 5, 2026
Applies to
MAINLAND_CHINA_HONG_KONG

Keep the agreement and performance records together

Collect the signed agreement, schedules, amendments, orders, invoices, payment records and relevant delivery or acceptance documents. Keep important correspondence in context, including attachments. Mark what is missing rather than trying to reconstruct an agreed term from memory.

Separate background evidence from procedural documents

The Hong Kong Judiciary's High Court guide describes document disclosure (sharing relevant documents), case management (the court's organisation of a case) and trial preparation as stages of civil proceedings. It illustrates why documents matter, but it is not a procedure for every cross-border dispute. A lawyer should identify the relevant rules and any required form, translation or certification for the particular court or arbitration panel.

What to put at the front of the file

For an initial discussion, prepare:

  • A brief chronology with dates and links or references to the underlying records.
  • The parties' exact legal names, contact details and roles in the transaction.
  • A calculation of the amount in question, showing invoices, payments and disputed items.
  • Any demand, court paper, arbitration notice or order, with the date and method of receipt.
  • A list of upcoming dates, known gaps and the specific decision you need help making.

Information boundary

This article provides general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create a solicitor-client relationship. A lawyer must assess the relevant facts, documents and current law before advising on a particular matter.

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