Source: OT-Team(G), 中山市中级人民法院
A foreign national, facing a frozen bank account due to a local payment dispute, rushed to court seeking urgent help.
Inside the case filing hall of the Zhongshan Second People's Court, a foreign man moved quickly toward the service counter, his face tight with worry. Repeating just a few urgent phrases in English — "Account frozen" and "Help me" — he struggled to make himself understood, anxiety evident in his furrowed brow.
The man, identified as Sanmman, had run into a language barrier at the worst possible moment. A duty judge on site noticed his distress, stepped forward to calm him, and used translation software to communicate. The situation soon became clear: Sanmman had been sued by a local company over a payment dispute involving goods, and the court had lawfully imposed property preservation measures, freezing his bank account as part of the proceedings.
"In cross-border disputes, communication is often the first major hurdle," said Liao Huilong, head of the court's case filing division. "Parties are already under intense pressure. Language difficulties can easily amplify their anxiety."
Judge Huang Junhui, who took charge of the mediation, first focused on stabilizing Sanmman's emotions. She then carefully explained the court's pre-litigation mediation mechanism — a dispute resolution approach that avoids lengthy court proceedings and helps reduce legal costs while promoting faster settlements. Learning that there was a more efficient path forward, Sanmman visibly relaxed and agreed on the spot to enter court-facilitated mediation.
Judge Huang immediately contacted the plaintiff's lawyer. Coincidentally, the lawyer was already in the courthouse for another hearing. Both sides agreed to head to the mediation room as soon as that hearing concluded, accelerating the effort to resolve the dispute.
Talks, however, were not smooth from the outset. Sharp differences emerged over the handling of the 800,000 yuan (approximately USD-equivalent undisclosed) in disputed funds. Sanmman insisted that his account be unfrozen first, with repayment to follow in installments. The plaintiff, concerned about financial security, firmly rejected that proposal. Mediation briefly reached an impasse.
Throughout the deadlock, Judge Huang maintained a patient, balanced approach. She explained to Sanmman that the amount involved was significant and that the plaintiff's concerns over payment risk were reasonable. At the same time, she outlined Sanmman's practical difficulties as a foreign national to the plaintiff's lawyer, urging understanding and flexibility. After several rounds of communication, both sides made concessions: Sanmman agreed to make an upfront payment of 150,000 yuan, after which the plaintiff would apply to the court to lift the account freeze.
A new disagreement then surfaced — when exactly the bank account would be unfrozen. Unfamiliar with China's legal procedures governing seizure and freezing measures, Sanmman demanded immediate action and, in a moment of frustration, said he would sue the plaintiff for damages if the account was not released at once.
Faced with the misunderstanding and rising emotions, the judge remained composed. Producing the relevant legal provisions and citing typical cases, she explained in detail the statutory time limits and operational procedures for lifting preservation measures. "Legal processes are designed to be rigorous," she said. "The three-working-day processing period ensures procedures are orderly and that the lawful rights of both parties are protected fairly."
With a clearer understanding of the legal framework, Sanmman accepted the explanation. He agreed that the court could complete the unfreezing process within three working days after receiving the formal application and committed to paying the remaining amount as scheduled. The plaintiff, in turn, agreed to the arrangement, bringing the cross-border dispute a step closer to resolution through mediation rather than prolonged litigation.
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