Arbitration, Enforcement & Asset Recovery
Ontario international trade and arbitration lawyer services require strategic litigation and enforcement expertise in cross-border commercial disputes involving foreign parties, international contracts, and assets located in Ontario. Cross-border commercial disputes present unique challenges. Contracts may be governed by foreign law, proceedings conducted in another jurisdiction or language, and enforcement required in Ontario against assets located in Canada. In these cases, success often turns on procedural precision, strategic enforcement, and clear communication across languages and legal systems.
Starkman & Zhang Lawyers has over 30 years of commercial litigation experience, including a strong focus on cross-border and international trade disputes, international commercial arbitration, and the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards and judgments in Ontario.
We regularly act for international companies, foreign investors, and Canadian or International companies in disputes arising from global supply chains, international trade contracts, and overseas investments.
International Commercial Arbitration & Enforcement
International arbitration is often only the first step. An arbitral award has real value only if it can be recognized, enforced, and collected.
We assist clients with:
- Recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in Ontario
- Applications under Ontario’s International Commercial Arbitration Act
- Enforcement of awards governed by the UNCITRAL Model Law
- Responding to attempts to resist enforcement on public policy or procedural grounds
- Coordinating arbitration enforcement with asset-preservation remedies
Ontario courts have repeatedly confirmed their pro-enforcement approach to international arbitration. In China Yantai Friction Co. Ltd. v. Novalex Inc., 2024 ONSC 608, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice enforced a foreign arbitral award arising from an international trade contract, reaffirming the narrow grounds available to resist recognition and enforcement and the deference owed to arbitral tribunals
This decision reflects the legal environment in which we operate: Ontario is an arbitration-friendly jurisdiction, and strategic enforcement can be decisive.
International Trade & Cross-Border Contract Disputes
We act in disputes arising from:
- International supply and distribution agreements
- Cross-border sale of goods and manufacturing contracts
- Payment disputes involving overseas counterparties
- Termination of international commercial relationships
- Multi-jurisdictional contractual enforcement
These matters often involve overlapping issues of contract interpretation, foreign law, and evidentiary coordination across jurisdictions.
Multilingual & Cross-Cultural Advantage
Cross-border disputes are rarely just legal—they are linguistic and cultural.
Our firm works fluently in:
- English
- Mandarin
- Cantonese
This allows us to:
- Review and explain foreign-language contracts and arbitral awards
- Communicate directly with international clients without intermediaries
- Coordinate evidence and instructions efficiently
- Reduce translation risk and cost
For international clients, this often makes the difference between clarity and confusion.
Our Approach
Ontario international trade arbitration disputes often involve parallel proceedings, foreign governing law, and time-sensitive enforcement decisions that require careful coordination with Ontario courts. Clients seeking an Ontario international trade and arbitration lawyer are often focused on enforceability, jurisdictional strategy, and the recovery of assets through Ontario courts.
With decades of litigation experience, we approach cross-border disputes with a focus on:
- Enforceability, not just theoretical success
- Early assessment of jurisdictional and asset-location issues
- Strategic use of Ontario courts to support international outcomes
- Clear, direct communication with international clients
We understand that international disputes are often high-stakes, reputationally sensitive, and time-critical.
When to Contact Us
You should seek legal advice if:
- You need to enforce a foreign arbitral award or judgment in Ontario
- You are involved in commercial dispute involving international trade
- Assets are located in Ontario but the dispute arose abroad
- You are involved in an international trade or supply-chain dispute
Starkman & Zhang Lawyers provides experienced, litigation-focused representation in cross-border commercial disputes and arbitration enforcement.