NCJ Number
176707
Journal
Crime and Justice International Volume: 14 Issue: 20 Dated: September 1998 Pages: 19-25
Date Published
September 1998
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article describes the organization, functions, and powers of the people's courts of the People's Republic of China.
Abstract
China's Constitution states: "The people's courts of the People's Republic of China are the judicial organs of the state. The people's courts exercise judicial power independently and are not subject to interference by an administrative organ, public organization or individual." The people's courts try criminal, civil, administrative, and maritime cases; cases that involve economic disputes; and other cases to punish criminals, settle disputes, and adjust economic relations. Thus, they uphold the people's democratic dictatorship and the socialist system; safeguard the socialist democracy and legal system; protect socialist public property and lawful private property; and ensure the lawful rights and interests of citizens, legal persons, and other entities. The system of people's courts consists of the Supreme People's Court, the local people's courts, and the special people's courts. The local people's courts consist of the High People's Courts, the Intermediate People's Courts, and the Primary People's Courts. This article describes the jurisdiction, powers, and functions of each of these courts. Other issues discussed are the qualifications, appointment, and removal of judges, as well as the cardinal principles and systems of the organization and functions of the people's courts as specified in China's Constitution. A separate section describes trial procedures for various types of cases.