A Shanghai British expat walked out of court smiling Wednesday after judges rejected a lawsuit filed against him by his former employer for allegedly falsifying rent receipts to claim his housing allowance.

The shanghai No. 1 Intermediate People's Court reminded foreign employees working in the city to protect their interests when signing work contracts.

Antony old was sent to the city by Hong Kong-based Rinol China Holdings Ltd to be general manager of its subsidiary firm, Rinol Flooring Trading (Shanghai) Co Ltd, in March 2001.

He signed a one-year contract with the local company, but the deal didn't specify how much he would be paid.

From march to July 2001, Old provided invoices for his monthly rent of 25,000 yuan (US$3,012) issued by Shanghai Bitai Trade Co Ltd, to the local company for reimbursement.

When old left the company, Rinol Flooring filed a lawsuit with the Pudong New Area People's Court, requesting he return five months' rent, totaling 125,000 yuan, and interest. The plaintiff said Old had handed in fake invoices to defraud the firm.

"The company that issued the invoices had its business license revoked in 1999. Old never rented apartments from the company," said Luo Xinhua, Rinol's attorney.

Old provided testimony by the director of the Hong Kong firm. The director said Old's pay was divided into two parts. The Hong Kong firm paid him HK$46,000 (US$5,897) a month while the local company paid 25,000.

After hearing the director's testimony, the Pudong court rejected the lawsuit. Yesterday, the intermediate court maintained the verdict on appeal.

(Shanghai Daily November 18, 2004)