Recently, the criminal case of affray involving foreign students, represented by Lawyers Xu Wen, Yang Dan, Naren, and trainee lawyer Chen Chen from Shanghai Nuo Di Law Firm, was successfully selected into the first National Top 100 Excellent Foreign-Related Legal Cases hosted by East China University of Political Science and Law in 2025. The proper handling of this case not only demonstrated the impartiality and authority of China's judiciary, but also showcased the professional defense capabilities and humanistic care of lawyers in foreign-related cases.

In December 2024, foreign students Ya and Teng, seeking excitement, smashed four civilian vehicles in Hangzhou, China, causing a total loss of over 10,000 yuan. After the incident, the two were arrested by the police. Entrusted with the case, Shanghai Nuo Di Law Firm quickly set up a defense team to intervene.

To safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the parties and promote the impartial handling of the case, the defense team traveled between Shanghai and Hangzhou more than ten times, building a multi-party communication bridge among judicial organs, parties, their families and victims. In the early stage of the case, the lawyers immediately contacted the handling authorities, met with the parties, comprehensively sorted out the details of the case, provided accurate legal consulting services to the parties and their families, and clarified the provisions of Chinese law and litigation procedures. During the compulsory measure stage, they successively submitted applications for awaiting trial on bail, legal opinions on non-approval of arrest and legal opinions on the necessity of detention, continuously striving for a favorable litigation status for the parties.

In the course of defense, the team balanced the rigidity of the law with humanistic care: when discovering that Teng was unwell during detention, they immediately coordinated with the detention center to arrange medical examinations and medication; for Ya's improper conduct, they promptly provided cross-cultural etiquette guidance and instructed him to cooperate with the judicial process with a respectful attitude. Meanwhile, the lawyers actively promoted compensation negotiations, conducted repeated communications and coordination, and finally facilitated all four victims to accept the compensation plan and sign criminal reconciliation statements, effectively repairing social relations. Considering that the parties were foreigners, the lawyers also coordinated the procuratorate, translators and the foreign family members who came from afar to communicate face-to-face, explained the case progress and Chinese legal provisions in detail, and resolved cross-cultural cognitive barriers.

In July 2025, the People's Court of Shangcheng District, Hangzhou held an open trial of the case and adopted the defense team's opinion on lighter sentencing. Taking full account of the circumstances such as the two defendants' guilty pleas and remorse, active compensation, and Ya being a minor, the court pronounced a sentence of six months in prison for Ya and seven months in prison for Teng on the spot.

The selection of this case is a high recognition of the professional defense work of the team. Based on "facts as the basis and law as the criterion", the team adopted a defense model of cross-regional performance of duties, cross-cultural communication and full-process follow-up. It not only safeguarded the legitimate rights and interests of foreign-related parties, but also achieved the unity of legal effect and social effect, providing a useful practical sample for the handling of foreign-related legal cases.