I have 3 questions to ask, related to pvp and server rules

[Skorak]

Docking counts as pvp death. But transports/freightes may continue to trade. So well... that is how I would do it. But you are right a nice green statement would certainly be more believeable than a white one.

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[The Savage]

So, to reply OP question:

If you are fired upon with obviously continuous fire, you are already within combat and you have full right to defend yourself without any roleplay. If you dock, no matter if these shields were dropped or not, you are PVP dead (unless you are trader, then you can continue BUT you cannot fire first at hostiles, e.g. pirates).