PRC Civil Procedure Law (2nd Revision)
中华人民共和国民事诉讼法 (第二次修正)
Criminal liability may be pursued for legal actions instituted with malicious intent to prejudice another's lawful rights and interests.
Division One: General provisions
Division Two: Trial procedure
Division Three: Enforcement procedures
Division Four: Special provisions for civil actions involving foreign parties
(Adopted at the 28th Session of the Standing Committee of the 11th National People's Congress on August 31 2012 and effective as of January 1 2013.)
第一编 总则
第二编 审判程序
第三编 执行程序
第四编 涉外民事诉讼程序的特别规定
(第十一届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第二十八次会议于二零一二年八月三十一日通过，自二零一三年一月一日起施行。)
中华人民共和国主席令 (十一届第59号)
第一编 总 则
第一章 任务、适用范围和基本原则
第一条 中华人民共和国民事诉讼法以宪法为根据，结合我国民事审判工作的经验和实际情况制定。
第二条 中华人民共和国民事诉讼法的任务，是保护当事人行使诉讼权利，保证人民法院查明事实，分清是非，正确适用法律，及时审理民事案件，确认民事权利义务关系，制裁民事违法行为，保护当事人的合法权益，教育公民自觉遵守法律，维护社会秩序、经济秩序，保障社会主义建设事业顺利进行。
第三条 人民法院受理公民之间、法人之间、其他组织之间以及他们相互之间因财产关系和人身关系提起的民事诉讼，适用本法的规定。
第四条 凡在中华人民共和国领域内进行民事诉讼，必须遵守本法。
第五条 外国人、无国籍人、外国企业和组织在人民法院起诉、应诉，同中华人民共和国公民、法人和其他组织有同等的诉讼权利义务。
外国法院对中华人民共和国公民、法人和其他组织的民事诉讼权利加以限制的，中华人民共和国人民法院对该国公民、企业和组织的民事诉讼权利，实行对等原则。
第六条 民事案件的审判权由人民法院行使。
人民法院依照法律规定对民事案件独立进行审判，不受行政机关、社会团体和个人的干涉。
第七条 人民法院审理民事案件，必须以事实为根据，以法律为准绳。
第八条 民事诉讼当事人有平等的诉讼权利。人民法院审理民事案件，应当保障和便利当事人行使诉讼权利，对当事人在适用法律上一律平等。
第九条 人民法院审理民事案件，应当根据自愿和合法的原则进行调解；调解不成的，应当及时判决。
第十条 人民法院审理民事案件，依照法律规定实行合议、回避、公开审判和两审终审制度。
第十一条 各民族公民都有用本民族语言、文字进行民事诉讼的权利。
在少数民族聚居或者多民族共同居住的地区，人民法院应当用当地民族通用的语言、文字进行审理和发布法律文书。
人民法院应当对不通晓当地民族通用的语言、文字的诉讼参与人提供翻译。
第十二条 人民法院审理民事案件时，当事人有权进行辩论。
第十三条 民事诉讼应当遵循诚实信用原则。
当事人有权在法律规定的范围内处分自己的民事权利和诉讼权利。
第十四条 人民检察院有权对民事诉讼实行法律监督。
第十五条机关、社会团体、企业事业单位对损害国家、集体或者个人民事权益的行为，可以支持受损害的单位或者个人向人民法院起诉。
第十六条民族自治地方的人民代表大会根据宪法和本法的原则，结合当地民族的具体情况，可以制定变通或者补充的规定。自治区的规定，报全国人民代表大会常务委员会批准。自治州、自治县的规定，报省或者自治区的人民代表大会常务委员会批准，并报全国人民代表大会常务委员会备案。
第二章 管辖
第一节 级别管辖
第十七条 基层人民法院管辖第一审民事案件，但本法另有规定的除外。
第十八条 中级人民法院管辖下列第一审民事案件：
（一）重大涉外案件；
（二）在本辖区有重大影响的案件；
（三）最高人民法院确定由中级人民法院管辖的案件。
第十九条 高级人民法院管辖在本辖区有重大影响的第一审民事案件。
第二十条 最高人民法院管辖下列第一审民事案件：
（一）在全国有重大影响的案件；
（二）认为应当由本院审理的案件。
第二节 地域管辖
第二十一条 对公民提起的民事诉讼，由被告住所地人民法院管辖；被告住所地与经常居住地不一致的，由经常居住地人民法院管辖。
对法人或者其他组织提起的民事诉讼，由被告住所地人民法院管辖。
同一诉讼的几个被告住所地、经常居住地在两个以上人民法院辖区的，各该人民法院都有管辖权。
第二十二条 下列民事诉讼，由原告住所地人民法院管辖；原告住所地与经常居住地不一致的，由原告经常居住地人民法院管辖：
（一）对不在中华人民共和国领域内居住的人提起的有关身份关系的诉讼；
（二）对下落不明或者宣告失踪的人提起的有关身份关系的诉讼；
（三）对被采取强制性教育措施的人提起的诉讼；
（四）对被监禁的人提起的诉讼。
第二十三条 因合同纠纷提起的诉讼，由被告住所地或者合同履行地人民法院管辖。
第二十四条 因保险合同纠纷提起的诉讼，由被告住所地或者保险标的物所在地人民法院管辖。
第二十五条 因票据纠纷提起的诉讼，由票据支付地或者被告住所地人民法院管辖。
第二十六条 因公司设立、确认股东资格、分配利润、解散等纠纷提起的诉讼，由公司住所地人民法院管辖。
第二十七条 因铁路、公路、水上、航空运输和联合运输合同纠纷提起的诉讼，由运输始发地、目的地或者被告住所地人民法院管辖。
第二十八条 因侵权行为提起的诉讼，由侵权行为地或者被告住所地人民法院管辖。
第二十九条 因铁路、公路、水上和航空事故请求损害赔偿提起的诉讼，由事故发生地或者车辆、船舶最先到达地、航空器最先降落地或者被告住所地人民法院管辖。
第三十条 因船舶碰撞或者其他海事损害事故请求损害赔偿提起的诉讼，由碰撞发生地、碰撞船舶最先到达地、加害船舶被扣留地或者被告住所地人民法院管辖。
第三十一条 因海难救助费用提起的诉讼，由救助地或者被救助船舶最先到达地人民法院管辖。
第三十二条 因共同海损提起的诉讼，由船舶最先到达地、共同海损理算地或者航程终止地的人民法院管辖。
第三十三条 下列案件，由本条规定的人民法院专属管辖：
（一）因不动产纠纷提起的诉讼，由不动产所在地人民法院管辖；
（二）因港口作业中发生纠纷提起的诉讼，由港口所在地人民法院管辖；
（三）因继承遗产纠纷提起的诉讼，由被继承人死亡时住所地或者主要遗产所在地人民法院管辖。
第三十四 条合同或者其他财产权益纠纷的当事人可以书面协议选择被告住所地、合同履行地、合同签订地、原告住所地、标的物所在地等与争议有实际联系的地点的人民法院管辖，但不得违反本法对级别管辖和专属管辖的规定。
第三十五 条两个以上人民法院都有管辖权的诉讼，原告可以向其中一个人民法院起诉；原告向两个以上有管辖权的人民法院起诉的，由最先立案的人民法院管辖。
第三节 移送管辖和指定管辖
第三十六条 人民法院发现受理的案件不属于本院管辖的，应当移送有管辖权的人民法院，受移送的人民法院应当受理。受移送的人民法院认为受移送的案件依照规定不属于本院管辖的，应当报请上级人民法院指定管辖，不得再自行移送。
第三十七条 有管辖权的人民法院由于特殊原因，不能行使管辖权的，由上级人民法院指定管辖。
人民法院之间因管辖权发生争议，由争议双方协商解决；协商解决不了的，报请它们的共同上级人民法院指定管辖。
第三十八条 上级人民法院有权审理下级人民法院管辖的第一审民事案件；确有必要将本院管辖的第一审民事案件交下级人民法院审理的，应当报请其上级人民法院批准。
下级人民法院对它所管辖的第一审民事案件，认为需要由上级人民法院审理的，可以报请上级人民法院审理。
第三章 审判组织
第三十九条人民法院审理第一审民事案件，由审判员、陪审员共同组成合议庭或者由审判员组成合议庭。合议庭的成员人数，必须是单数。
适用简易程序审理的民事案件，由审判员一人独任审理。
陪审员在执行陪审职务时，与审判员有同等的权利义务。
第四十条 人民法院审理第二审民事案件，由审判员组成合议庭。合议庭的成员人数，必须是单数。
发回重审的案件，原审人民法院应当按照第一审程序另行组成合议庭。
审理再审案件，原来是第一审的，按照第一审程序另行组成合议庭；原来是第二审的或者是上级人民法院提审的，按照第二审程序另行组成合议庭。
第四十一条 合议庭的审判长由院长或者庭长指定审判员一人担任；院长或者庭长参加审判的，由院长或者庭长担任。
第四十二条 合议庭评议案件，实行少数服从多数的原则。评议应当制作笔录，由合议庭成员签名。评议中的不同意见，必须如实记入笔录。
第四十三条 审判人员应当依法秉公办案。
审判人员不得接受当事人及其诉讼代理人请客送礼。
审判人员有贪污受贿，徇私舞弊，枉法裁判行为的，应当追究法律责任；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任。
第四章 回 避
第四十四条 审判人员有下列情形之一的，应当自行回避，当事人有权用口头或者书面方式申请他们回避：
（一）是本案当事人或者当事人、诉讼代理人近亲属的；
（二）与本案有利害关系的；
（三）与本案当事人、诉讼代理人有其他关系，可能影响对案件公正审理的。
审判人员接受当事人、诉讼代理人请客送礼，或者违反规定会见当事人、诉讼代理人的，当事人有权要求他们回避。
审判人员有前款规定的行为的，应当依法追究法律责任。
前三款规定，适用于书记员、翻译人员、鉴定人、勘验人。
第四十五条 当事人提出回避申请，应当说明理由，在案件开始审理时提出；回避事由在案件开始审理后知道的，也可以在法庭辩论终结前提出。
被申请回避的人员在人民法院作出是否回避的决定前，应当暂停参与本案的工作，但案件需要采取紧急措施的除外。
第四十六条 院长担任审判长时的回避，由审判委员会决定；审判人员的回避，由院长决定；其他人员的回避，由审判长决定。
第四十七条人民法院对当事人提出的回避申请，应当在申请提出的三日内，以口头或者书面形式作出决定。申请人对决定不服的，可以在接到决定时申请复议一次。复议期间，被申请回避的人员，不停止参与本案的工作。人民法院对复议申请，应当在三日内作出复议决定，并通知复议申请人。
第五章 诉讼参加人
第一节 当事人
第四十八条 公民、法人和其他组织可以作为民事诉讼的当事人。
法人由其法定代表人进行诉讼。其他组织由其主要负责人进行诉讼。
第四十九条 当事人有权委托代理人，提出回避申请，收集、提供证据，进行辩论，请求调解，提起上诉，申请执行。
当事人可以查阅本案有关材料，并可以复制本案有关材料和法律文书。查阅、复制本案有关材料的范围和办法由最高人民法院规定。
当事人必须依法行使诉讼权利，遵守诉讼秩序，履行发生法律效力的判决书、裁定书和调解书。
第五十条 双方当事人可以自行和解。
第五十一条 原告可以放弃或者变更诉讼请求。被告可以承认或者反驳诉讼请求，有权提起反诉。
第五十二条 当事人一方或者双方为二人以上，其诉讼标的是共同的，或者诉讼标的是同一种类、人民法院认为可以合并审理并经当事人同意的，为共同诉讼。
共同诉讼的一方当事人对诉讼标的有共同权利义务的，其中一人的诉讼行为经其他共同诉讼人承认，对其他共同诉讼人发生效力；对诉讼标的没有共同权利义务的，其中一人的诉讼行为对其他共同诉讼人不发生效力。
第五十三条 当事人一方人数众多的共同诉讼，可以由当事人推选代表人进行诉讼。代表人的诉讼行为对其所代表的当事人发生效力，但代表人变更、放弃诉讼请求或者承认对方当事人的诉讼请求，进行和解，必须经被代表的当事人同意。
第五十四条 诉讼标的是同一种类、当事人一方人数众多在起诉时人数尚未确定的，人民法院可以发出公告，说明案件情况和诉讼请求，通知权利人在一定期间向人民法院登记。
向人民法院登记的权利人可以推选代表人进行诉讼；推选不出代表人的，人民法院可以与参加登记的权利人商定代表人。
代表人的诉讼行为对其所代表的当事人发生效力，但代表人变更、放弃诉讼请求或者承认对方当事人的诉讼请求，进行和解，必须经被代表的当事人同意。
人民法院作出的判决、裁定，对参加登记的全体权利人发生效力。未参加登记的权利人在诉讼时效期间提起诉讼的，适用该判决、裁定。
第五十五条 对污染环境、侵害众多消费者合法权益等损害社会公共利益的行为，法律规定的机关和有关组织可以向人民法院提起诉讼。
第五十六条 对当事人双方的诉讼标的，第三人认为有独立请求权的，有权提起诉讼。
对当事人双方的诉讼标的，第三人虽然没有独立请求权，但案件处理结果同他有法律上的利害关系的，可以申请参加诉讼，或者由人民法院通知他参加诉讼。人民法院判决承担民事责任的第三人，有当事人的诉讼权利义务。
前两款规定的第三人，因不能归责于本人的事由未参加诉讼，但有证据证明发生法律效力的判决、裁定、调解书的部分或者全部内容错误，损害其民事权益的，可以自知道或者应当知道其民事权益受到损害之日起六个月内，向作出该判决、裁定、调解书的人民法院提起诉讼。人民法院经审理，诉讼请求成立的，应当改变或者撤销原判决、裁定、调解书；诉讼请求不成立的，驳回诉讼请求。
第二节 诉讼代理人
第五十七条 无诉讼行为能力人由他的监护人作为法定代理人代为诉讼。法定代理人之间互相推诿代理责任的，由人民法院指定其中一人代为诉讼。
第五十八条 当事人、法定代理人可以委托一至二人作为诉讼代理人。
下列人员可以被委托为诉讼代理人：
（一）律师、基层法律服务工作者；
（二）当事人的近亲属或者工作人员；
（三）当事人所在社区、单位以及有关社会团体推荐的公民。
第五十九条 委托他人代为诉讼，必须向人民法院提交由委托人签名或者盖章的授权委托书。
授权委托书必须记明委托事项和权限。诉讼代理人代为承认、放弃、变更诉讼请求，进行和解，提起反诉或者上诉，必须有委托人的特别授权。
侨居在国外的中华人民共和国公民从国外寄交或者托交的授权委托书，必须经中华人民共和国驻该国的使领馆证明；没有使领馆的，由与中华人民共和国有外交关系的第三国驻该国的使领馆证明，再转由中华人民共和国驻该第三国使领馆证明，或者由当地的爱国华侨团体证明。
第六十条 诉讼代理人的权限如果变更或者解除，当事人应当书面告知人民法院，并由人民法院通知对方当事人。
第六十一条 代理诉讼的律师和其他诉讼代理人有权调查收集证据，可以查阅本案有关材料。查阅本案有关材料的范围和办法由最高人民法院规定。
第六十二条 离婚案件有诉讼代理人的，本人除不能表达意思的以外，仍应出庭；确因特殊情况无法出庭的，必须向人民法院提交书面意见。
第六章 证据
第六十三条 证据包括：
（一）当事人的陈述；
（二）书证；
（三）物证；
（四）视听资料；
（五）电子数据；
（六）证人证言；
（七）鉴定意见；
（八）勘验笔录。
证据必须查证属实，才能作为认定事实的根据。
第六十四条 当事人对自己提出的主张，有责任提供证据。
当事人及其诉讼代理人因客观原因不能自行收集的证据，或者人民法院认为审理案件需要的证据，人民法院应当调查收集。
人民法院应当按照法定程序，全面地、客观地审查核实证据。
第六十五条 当事人对自己提出的主张应当及时提供证据。
人民法院根据当事人的主张和案件审理情况，确定当事人应当提供的证据及其期限。当事人在该期限内提供证据确有困难的，可以向人民法院申请延长期限，人民法院根据当事人的申请适当延长。当事人逾期提供证据的，人民法院应当责令其说明理由；拒不说明理由或者理由不成立的，人民法院根据不同情形可以不予采纳该证据，或者采纳该证据但予以训诫、罚款。
第六十六条 人民法院收到当事人提交的证据材料，应当出具收据，写明证据名称、页数、份数、原件或者复印件以及收到时间等，并由经办人员签名或者盖章。
第六十七条 人民法院有权向有关单位和个人调查取证，有关单位和个人不得拒绝。
人民法院对有关单位和个人提出的证明文书，应当辨别真伪，审查确定其效力。
第六十八条 证据应当在法庭上出示，并由当事人互相质证。对涉及国家秘密、商业秘密和个人隐私的证据应当保密，需要在法庭出示的，不得在公开开庭时出示。
第六十九条 经过法定程序公证证明的法律事实和文书，人民法院应当作为认定事实的根据，但有相反证据足以推翻公证证明的除外。
第七十条 书证应当提交原件。物证应当提交原物。提交原件或者原物确有困难的，可以提交复制品、照片、副本、节录本。
提交外文书证，必须附有中文译本。
第七十一条 人民法院对视听资料，应当辨别真伪，并结合本案的其他证据，审查确定能否作为认定事实的根据。
第七十二条 凡是知道案件情况的单位和个人，都有义务出庭作证。有关单位的负责人应当支持证人作证。
不能正确表达意思的人，不能作证。
第七十三条 经人民法院通知，证人应当出庭作证。有下列情形之一的，经人民法院许可，可以通过书面证言、视听传输技术或者视听资料等方式作证：
（一）因健康原因不能出庭的；
（二）因路途遥远，交通不便不能出庭的；
（三）因自然灾害等不可抗力不能出庭的；
（四）其他有正当理由不能出庭的。
第七十四条 证人因履行出庭作证义务而支出的交通、住宿、就餐等必要费用以及误工损失，由败诉一方当事人负担。当事人申请证人作证的，由该当事人先行垫付；当事人没有申请，人民法院通知证人作证的，由人民法院先行垫付。
第七十五条 人民法院对当事人的陈述，应当结合本案的其他证据，审查确定能否作为认定事实的根据。
当事人拒绝陈述的，不影响人民法院根据证据认定案件事实。
第七十六条 当事人可以就查明事实的专门性问题向人民法院申请鉴定。当事人申请鉴定的，由双方当事人协商确定具备资格的鉴定人；协商不成的，由人民法院指定。
当事人未申请鉴定，人民法院对专门性问题认为需要鉴定的，应当委托具备资格的鉴定人进行鉴定。
第七十七条 鉴定人有权了解进行鉴定所需要的案件材料，必要时可以询问当事人、证人。
鉴定人应当提出书面鉴定意见，在鉴定书上签名或者盖章。
第七十八条 当事人对鉴定意见有异议或者人民法院认为鉴定人有必要出庭的，鉴定人应当出庭作证。经人民法院通知，鉴定人拒不出庭作证的，鉴定意见不得作为认定事实的根据；支付鉴定费用的当事人可以要求返还鉴定费用。
第七十九条 当事人可以申请人民法院通知有专门知识的人出庭，就鉴定人作出的鉴定意见或者专业问题提出意见。
第八十条 勘验物证或者现场，勘验人必须出示人民法院的证件，并邀请当地基层组织或者当事人所在单位派人参加。当事人或者当事人的成年家属应当到场，拒不到场的，不影响勘验的进行。
有关单位和个人根据人民法院的通知，有义务保护现场，协助勘验工作。
勘验人应当将勘验情况和结果制作笔录，由勘验人、当事人和被邀参加人签名或者盖章。
第八十一条 在证据可能灭失或者以后难以取得的情况下，当事人可以在诉讼过程中向人民法院申请保全证据，人民法院也可以主动采取保全措施。
因情况紧急，在证据可能灭失或者以后难以取得的情况下，利害关系人可以在提起诉讼或者申请仲裁前向证据所在地、被申请人住所地或者对案件有管辖权的人民法院申请保全证据。
证据保全的其他程序，参照适用本法第九章保全的有关规定。
第七章 期间、送达
第一节 期间
第八十二条 期间包括法定期间和人民法院指定的期间。
期间以时、日、月、年计算。期间开始的时和日，不计算在期间内。
期间届满的最后一日是节假日的，以节假日后的第一日为期间届满的日期。
期间不包括在途时间，诉讼文书在期满前交邮的，不算过期。
第八十三条 当事人因不可抗拒的事由或者其他正当理由耽误期限的，在障碍消除后的十日内，可以申请顺延期限，是否准许，由人民法院决定。
第二节 送达
第八十四条 送达诉讼文书必须有送达回证，由受送达人在送达回证上记明收到日期，签名或者盖章。
受送达人在送达回证上的签收日期为送达日期。
第八十五条 送达诉讼文书，应当直接送交受送达人。受送达人是公民的，本人不在交他的同住成年家属签收；受送达人是法人或者其他组织的，应当由法人的法定代表人、其他组织的主要负责人或者该法人、组织负责收件的人签收；受送达人有诉讼代理人的，可以送交其代理人签收；受送达人已向人民法院指定代收人的，送交代收人签收。
受送达人的同住成年家属，法人或者其他组织的负责收件的人，诉讼代理人或者代收人在送达回证上签收的日期为送达日期。
第八十六条 受送达人或者他的同住成年家属拒绝接收诉讼文书的，送达人可以邀请有关基层组织或者所在单位的代表到场，说明情况，在送达回证上记明拒收事由和日期，由送达人、见证人签名或者盖章，把诉讼文书留在受送达人的住所；也可以把诉讼文书留在受送达人的住所，并采用拍照、录像等方式记录送达过程，即视为送达。
第八十七条 经受送达人同意，人民法院可以采用传真、电子邮件等能够确认其收悉的方式送达诉讼文书，但判决书、裁定书、调解书除外。
采用前款方式送达的，以传真、电子邮件等到达受送达人特定系统的日期为送达日期。
第八十八条 直接送达诉讼文书有困难的，可以委托其他人民法院代为送达，或者邮寄送达。邮寄送达的，以回执上注明的收件日期为送达日期。
第八十九条 受送达人是军人的，通过其所在部队团以上单位的政治机关转交。
第九十条 受送达人被监禁的，通过其所在监所转交。
受送达人被采取强制性教育措施的，通过其所在强制性教育机构转交。
第九十一条 代为转交的机关、单位收到诉讼文书后，必须立即交受送达人签收，以在送达回证上的签收日期，为送达日期。
第九十二条 受送达人下落不明，或者用本节规定的其他方式无法送达的，公告送达。自发出公告之日起，经过六十日，即视为送达。
公告送达，应当在案卷中记明原因和经过。
第八章 调解
第九十三条 人民法院审理民事案件，根据当事人自愿的原则，在事实清楚的基础上，分清是非，进行调解。
第九十四条 人民法院进行调解，可以由审判员一人主持，也可以由合议庭主持，并尽可能就地进行。
人民法院进行调解，可以用简便方式通知当事人、证人到庭。
第九十五条 人民法院进行调解，可以邀请有关单位和个人协助。被邀请的单位和个人，应当协助人民法院进行调解。
第九十六条 调解达成协议，必须双方自愿，不得强迫。调解协议的内容不得违反法律规定。
第九十七条 调解达成协议，人民法院应当制作调解书。调解书应当写明诉讼请求、案件的事实和调解结果。
调解书由审判人员、书记员署名，加盖人民法院印章，送达双方当事人。
调解书经双方当事人签收后，即具有法律效力。
第九十八条 下列案件调解达成协议，人民法院可以不制作调解书：
（一）调解和好的离婚案件；
（二）调解维持收养关系的案件；
（三）能够即时履行的案件；
（四）其他不需要制作调解书的案件。
对不需要制作调解书的协议，应当记入笔录，由双方当事人、审判人员、书记员签名或者盖章后，即具有法律效力。
第九十九条 调解未达成协议或者调解书送达前一方反悔的，人民法院应当及时判决。
第九章 保全和先予执行
第一百条 人民法院对于可能因当事人一方的行为或者其他原因，使判决难以执行或者造成当事人其他损害的案件，根据对方当事人的申请，可以裁定对其财产进行保全、责令其作出一定行为或者禁止其作出一定行为；当事人没有提出申请的，人民法院在必要时也可以裁定采取保全措施。
人民法院采取保全措施，可以责令申请人提供担保，申请人不提供担保的，裁定驳回申请。
人民法院接受申请后，对情况紧急的，必须在四十八小时内作出裁定；裁定采取保全措施的，应当立即开始执行。
第一百零一条 利害关系人因情况紧急，不立即申请保全将会使其合法权益受到难以弥补的损害的，可以在提起诉讼或者申请仲裁前向被保全财产所在地、被申请人住所地或者对案件有管辖权的人民法院申请采取保全措施。申请人应当提供担保，不提供担保的，裁定驳回申请。
人民法院接受申请后，必须在四十八小时内作出裁定；裁定采取保全措施的，应当立即开始执行。
申请人在人民法院采取保全措施后三十日内不依法提起诉讼或者申请仲裁的，人民法院应当解除保全。
第一百零二条 保全限于请求的范围，或者与本案有关的财物。
第一百零三条 财产保全采取查封、扣押、冻结或者法律规定的其他方法。人民法院保全财产后，应当立即通知被保全财产的人。
财产已被查封、冻结的，不得重复查封、冻结。
第一百零四条 财产纠纷案件，被申请人提供担保的，人民法院应当裁定解除保全。
第一百零五条 申请有错误的，申请人应当赔偿被申请人因保全所遭受的损失。
第一百零六条 人民法院对下列案件，根据当事人的申请，可以裁定先予执行：
（一）追索赡养费、扶养费、抚育费、抚恤金、医疗费用的；
（二）追索劳动报酬的；
（三）因情况紧急需要先予执行的。
第一百零七条 人民法院裁定先予执行的，应当符合下列条件：
（一）当事人之间权利义务关系明确，不先予执行将严重影响申请人的生活或者生产经营的；
（二）被申请人有履行能力。
人民法院可以责令申请人提供担保，申请人不提供担保的，驳回申请。申请人败诉的，应当赔偿被申请人因先予执行遭受的财产损失。
第一百零八条 当事人对保全或者先予执行的裁定不服的，可以申请复议一次。复议期间不停止裁定的执行。
第十章 对妨害民事诉讼的强制措施
第一百零九条 人民法院对必须到庭的被告，经两次传票传唤，无正当理由拒不到庭的，可以拘传。
第一百一十条 诉讼参与人和其他人应当遵守法庭规则。
人民法院对违反法庭规则的人，可以予以训诫，责令退出法庭或者予以罚款、拘留。
人民法院对哄闹、冲击法庭，侮辱、诽谤、威胁、殴打审判人员，严重扰乱法庭秩序的人，依法追究刑事责任；情节较轻的，予以罚款、拘留。
第一百一十一条 诉讼参与人或者其他人有下列行为之一的，人民法院可以根据情节轻重予以罚款、拘留；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任：
（一）伪造、毁灭重要证据，妨碍人民法院审理案件的；
（二）以暴力、威胁、贿买方法阻止证人作证或者指使、贿买、胁迫他人作伪证的；
（三）隐藏、转移、变卖、毁损已被查封、扣押的财产，或者已被清点并责令其保管的财产，转移已被冻结的财产的；
（四）对司法工作人员、诉讼参加人、证人、翻译人员、鉴定人、勘验人、协助执行的人，进行侮辱、诽谤、诬陷、殴打或者打击报复的；
（五）以暴力、威胁或者其他方法阻碍司法工作人员执行职务的；
（六）拒不履行人民法院已经发生法律效力的判决、裁定的。
人民法院对有前款规定的行为之一的单位，可以对其主要负责人或者直接责任人员予以罚款、拘留；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任。
第一百一十二条 当事人之间恶意串通，企图通过诉讼、调解等方式侵害他人合法权益的，人民法院应当驳回其请求，并根据情节轻重予以罚款、拘留；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任。
第一百一十三条 被执行人与他人恶意串通，通过诉讼、仲裁、调解等方式逃避履行法律文书确定的义务的，人民法院应当根据情节轻重予以罚款、拘留；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任。
第一百一十四条 有义务协助调查、执行的单位有下列行为之一的，人民法院除责令其履行协助义务外，并可以予以罚款：
（一）有关单位拒绝或者妨碍人民法院调查取证的；
（二）有关单位接到人民法院协助执行通知书后，拒不协助查询、扣押、冻结、划拨、变价财产的；
（三）有关单位接到人民法院协助执行通知书后，拒不协助扣留被执行人的收入、办理有关财产权证照转移手续、转交有关票证、证照或者其他财产的；
（四）其他拒绝协助执行的。
人民法院对有前款规定的行为之一的单位，可以对其主要负责人或者直接责任人员予以罚款；对仍不履行协助义务的，可以予以拘留；并可以向监察机关或者有关机关提出予以纪律处分的司法建议。
第一百一十五条 对个人的罚款金额，为人民币十万元以下。对单位的罚款金额，为人民币五万元以上一百万元以下。
拘留的期限，为十五日以下。
被拘留的人，由人民法院交公安机关看管。在拘留期间，被拘留人承认并改正错误的，人民法院可以决定提前解除拘留。
第一百一十六条 拘传、罚款、拘留必须经院长批准。
拘传应当发拘传票。
罚款、拘留应当用决定书。对决定不服的，可以向上一级人民法院申请复议一次。复议期间不停止执行。
第一百一十七条 采取对妨害民事诉讼的强制措施必须由人民法院决定。任何单位和个人采取非法拘禁他人或者非法私自扣押他人财产追索债务的，应当依法追究刑事责任，或者予以拘留、罚款。
第十一章 诉讼费用
第一百一十八条 当事人进行民事诉讼，应当按照规定交纳案件受理费。财产案件除交纳案件受理费外，并按照规定交纳其他诉讼费用。
当事人交纳诉讼费用确有困难的，可以按照规定向人民法院申请缓交、减交或者免交。
收取诉讼费用的办法另行制定。
第二编 审判程序
第十二章 第一审普通程序
第一节 起诉和受理
第一百一十九条 起诉必须符合下列条件：
（一）原告是与本案有直接利害关系的公民、法人和其他组织；
（二）有明确的被告；
（三）有具体的诉讼请求和事实、理由；
（四）属于人民法院受理民事诉讼的范围和受诉人民法院管辖。
第一百二十条 起诉应当向人民法院递交起诉状，并按照被告人数提出副本。
书写起诉状确有困难的，可以口头起诉，由人民法院记入笔录，并告知对方当事人。
第一百二十一条 起诉状应当记明下列事项：
（一）原告的姓名、性别、年龄、民族、职业、工作单位、住所、联系方式，法人或者其他组织的名称、住所和法定代表人或者主要负责人的姓名、职务、联系方式；
（二）被告的姓名、性别、工作单位、住所等信息，法人或者其他组织的名称、住所等信息；
（三）诉讼请求和所根据的事实与理由；
（四）证据和证据来源，证人姓名和住所。
第一百二十二条 当事人起诉到人民法院的民事纠纷，适宜调解的，先行调解，但当事人拒绝调解的除外。
第一百二十三条 人民法院应当保障当事人依照法律规定享有的起诉权利。对符合本法第一百一十九条的起诉，必须受理。符合起诉条件的，应当在七日内立案，并通知当事人；不符合起诉条件的，应当在七日内作出裁定书，不予受理；原告对裁定不服的，可以提起上诉。
第一百二十四条 人民法院对下列起诉，分别情形，予以处理：
（一）依照行政诉讼法的规定，属于行政诉讼受案范围的，告知原告提起行政诉讼；
（二）依照法律规定，双方当事人达成书面仲裁协议申请仲裁、不得向人民法院起诉的，告知原告向仲裁机构申请仲裁；
（三）依照法律规定，应当由其他机关处理的争议，告知原告向有关机关申请解决；
（四）对不属于本院管辖的案件，告知原告向有管辖权的人民法院起诉；
（五）对判决、裁定、调解书已经发生法律效力的案件，当事人又起诉的，告知原告申请再审，但人民法院准许撤诉的裁定除外；
（六）依照法律规定，在一定期限内不得起诉的案件，在不得起诉的期限内起诉的，不予受理；
（七）判决不准离婚和调解和好的离婚案件，判决、调解维持收养关系的案件，没有新情况、新理由，原告在六个月内又起诉的，不予受理。
第二节 审理前的准备
第一百二十五条 人民法院应当在立案之日起五日内将起诉状副本发送被告，被告应当在收到之日起十五日内提出答辩状。答辩状应当记明被告的姓名、性别、年龄、民族、职业、工作单位、住所、联系方式；法人或者其他组织的名称、住所和法定代表人或者主要负责人的姓名、职务、联系方式。人民法院应当在收到答辩状之日起五日内将答辩状副本发送原告。
被告不提出答辩状的，不影响人民法院审理。
第一百二十六条 人民法院对决定受理的案件，应当在受理案件通知书和应诉通知书中向当事人告知有关的诉讼权利义务，或者口头告知。
第一百二十七条 人民法院受理案件后，当事人对管辖权有异议的，应当在提交答辩状期间提出。人民法院对当事人提出的异议，应当审查。异议成立的，裁定将案件移送有管辖权的人民法院；异议不成立的，裁定驳回。
当事人未提出管辖异议，并应诉答辩的，视为受诉人民法院有管辖权，但违反级别管辖和专属管辖规定的除外。
第一百二十八条 合议庭组成人员确定后，应当在三日内告知当事人。
第一百二十九条 审判人员必须认真审核诉讼材料，调查收集必要的证据。
第一百三十条 人民法院派出人员进行调查时，应当向被调查人出示证件。
调查笔录经被调查人校阅后，由被调查人、调查人签名或者盖章。
第一百三十一条 人民法院在必要时可以委托外地人民法院调查。
委托调查，必须提出明确的项目和要求。受委托人民法院可以主动补充调查。
受委托人民法院收到委托书后，应当在三十日内完成调查。因故不能完成的，应当在上述期限内函告委托人民法院。
第一百三十二条 必须共同进行诉讼的当事人没有参加诉讼的，人民法院应当通知其参加诉讼。
第一百三十三条 人民法院对受理的案件，分别情形，予以处理：
（一）当事人没有争议，符合督促程序规定条件的，可以转入督促程序；
（二）开庭前可以调解的，采取调解方式及时解决纠纷；
（三）根据案件情况，确定适用简易程序或者普通程序；
（四）需要开庭审理的，通过要求当事人交换证据等方式，明确争议焦点。
第三节 开庭审理
第一百三十四条 人民法院审理民事案件，除涉及国家秘密、个人隐私或者法律另有规定的以外，应当公开进行。
离婚案件，涉及商业秘密的案件，当事人申请不公开审理的，可以不公开审理。
第一百三十五条 人民法院审理民事案件，根据需要进行巡回审理，就地办案。
第一百三十六条 人民法院审理民事案件，应当在开庭三日前通知当事人和其他诉讼参与人。公开审理的，应当公告当事人姓名、案由和开庭的时间、地点。
第一百三十七条 开庭审理前，书记员应当查明当事人和其他诉讼参与人是否到庭，宣布法庭纪律。
开庭审理时，由审判长核对当事人，宣布案由，宣布审判人员、书记员名单，告知当事人有关的诉讼权利义务，询问当事人是否提出回避申请。
第一百三十八条 法庭调查按照下列顺序进行：
（一）当事人陈述；
（二）告知证人的权利义务，证人作证，宣读未到庭的证人证言；
（三）出示书证、物证、视听资料和电子数据；
（四）宣读鉴定意见；
（五）宣读勘验笔录。
第一百三十九条 当事人在法庭上可以提出新的证据。
当事人经法庭许可，可以向证人、鉴定人、勘验人发问。
当事人要求重新进行调查、鉴定或者勘验的，是否准许，由人民法院决定。
第一百四十条 原告增加诉讼请求，被告提出反诉，第三人提出与本案有关的诉讼请求，可以合并审理。
第一百四十一条 法庭辩论按照下列顺序进行：
（一）原告及其诉讼代理人发言；
（二）被告及其诉讼代理人答辩；
（三）第三人及其诉讼代理人发言或者答辩；
（四）互相辩论。
法庭辩论终结，由审判长按照原告、被告、第三人的先后顺序征询各方最后意见。
第一百四十二条 法庭辩论终结，应当依法作出判决。判决前能够调解的，还可以进行调解，调解不成的，应当及时判决。
第一百四十三条 原告经传票传唤，无正当理由拒不到庭的，或者未经法庭许可中途退庭的，可以按撤诉处理；被告反诉的，可以缺席判决。
第一百四十四条 被告经传票传唤，无正当理由拒不到庭的，或者未经法庭许可中途退庭的，可以缺席判决。
第一百四十五条 宣判前，原告申请撤诉的，是否准许，由人民法院裁定。
人民法院裁定不准许撤诉的，原告经传票传唤，无正当理由拒不到庭的，可以缺席判决。
第一百四十六条 有下列情形之一的，可以延期开庭审理：
（一）必须到庭的当事人和其他诉讼参与人有正当理由没有到庭的；
（二）当事人临时提出回避申请的；
（三）需要通知新的证人到庭，调取新的证据，重新鉴定、勘验，或者需要补充调查的；
（四）其他应当延期的情形。
第一百四十七条 书记员应当将法庭审理的全部活动记入笔录，由审判人员和书记员签名。
法庭笔录应当当庭宣读，也可以告知当事人和其他诉讼参与人当庭或者在五日内阅读。当事人和其他诉讼参与人认为对自己的陈述记录有遗漏或者差错的，有权申请补正。如果不予补正，应当将申请记录在案。
法庭笔录由当事人和其他诉讼参与人签名或者盖章。拒绝签名盖章的，记明情况附卷。
第一百四十八条 人民法院对公开审理或者不公开审理的案件，一律公开宣告判决。
当庭宣判的，应当在十日内发送判决书；定期宣判的，宣判后立即发给判决书。
宣告判决时，必须告知当事人上诉权利、上诉期限和上诉的法院。
宣告离婚判决，必须告知当事人在判决发生法律效力前不得另行结婚。
第一百四十九条 人民法院适用普通程序审理的案件，应当在立案之日起六个月内审结。有特殊情况需要延长的，由本院院长批准，可以延长六个月；还需要延长的，报请上级人民法院批准。
第四节 诉讼中止和终结
第一百五十条 有下列情形之一的，中止诉讼：
（一）一方当事人死亡，需要等待继承人表明是否参加诉讼的；
（二）一方当事人丧失诉讼行为能力，尚未确定法定代理人的；
（三）作为一方当事人的法人或者其他组织终止，尚未确定权利义务承受人的；
（四）一方当事人因不可抗拒的事由，不能参加诉讼的；
（五）本案必须以另一案的审理结果为依据，而另一案尚未审结的；
（六）其他应当中止诉讼的情形。
中止诉讼的原因消除后，恢复诉讼。
第一百五十一条 有下列情形之一的，终结诉讼：
（一）原告死亡，没有继承人，或者继承人放弃诉讼权利的；
（二）被告死亡，没有遗产，也没有应当承担义务的人的；
（三）离婚案件一方当事人死亡的；
（四）追索赡养费、扶养费、抚育费以及解除收养关系案件的一方当事人死亡的。
第五节 判决和裁定
第一百五十二条 判决书应当写明判决结果和作出该判决的理由。判决书内容包括：
（一）案由、诉讼请求、争议的事实和理由；
（二）判决认定的事实和理由、适用的法律和理由；
（三）判决结果和诉讼费用的负担；
（四）上诉期间和上诉的法院。
判决书由审判人员、书记员署名，加盖人民法院印章。
第一百五十三条 人民法院审理案件，其中一部分事实已经清楚，可以就该部分先行判决。
第一百五十四条 裁定适用于下列范围：
（一）不予受理；
（二）对管辖权有异议的；
（三）驳回起诉；
（四）保全和先予执行；
（五）准许或者不准许撤诉；
（六）中止或者终结诉讼；
（七）补正判决书中的笔误；
（八）中止或者终结执行；
（九）撤销或者不予执行仲裁裁决；
（十）不予执行公证机关赋予强制执行效力的债权文书；
（十一）其他需要裁定解决的事项。
对前款第一项至第三项裁定，可以上诉。
裁定书应当写明裁定结果和作出该裁定的理由。裁定书由审判人员、书记员署名，加盖人民法院印章。口头裁定的，记入笔录。
第一百五十五条 最高人民法院的判决、裁定，以及依法不准上诉或者超过上诉期没有上诉的判决、裁定，是发生法律效力的判决、裁定。
第一百五十六条 公众可以查阅发生法律效力的判决书、裁定书，但涉及国家秘密、商业秘密和个人隐私的内容除外。
第十三章 简易程序
第一百五十七条 基层人民法院和它派出的法庭审理事实清楚、权利义务关系明确、争议不大的简单的民事案件，适用本章规定。
基层人民法院和它派出的法庭审理前款规定以外的民事案件，当事人双方也可以约定适用简易程序。
第一百五十八条 对简单的民事案件，原告可以口头起诉。
当事人双方可以同时到基层人民法院或者它派出的法庭，请求解决纠纷。基层人民法院或者它派出的法庭可以当即审理，也可以另定日期审理。
第一百五十九条 基层人民法院和它派出的法庭审理简单的民事案件，可以用简便方式传唤当事人和证人、送达诉讼文书、审理案件，但应当保障当事人陈述意见的权利。
第一百六十条 简单的民事案件由审判员一人独任审理，并不受本法第一百三十六条、第一百三十八条、第一百四十一条规定的限制。
第一百六十一条 人民法院适用简易程序审理案件，应当在立案之日起三个月内审结。
第一百六十二条 基层人民法院和它派出的法庭审理符合本法第一百五十七条第一款规定的简单的民事案件，标的额为各省、自治区、直辖市上年度就业人员年平均工资百分之三十以下的，实行一审终审。
第一百六十三条 人民法院在审理过程中，发现案件不宜适用简易程序的，裁定转为普通程序。
第十四章 第二审程序
第一百六十四条 当事人不服地方人民法院第一审判决的，有权在判决书送达之日起十五日内向上一级人民法院提起上诉。
当事人不服地方人民法院第一审裁定的，有权在裁定书送达之日起十日内向上一级人民法院提起上诉。
第一百六十五条 上诉应当递交上诉状。上诉状的内容，应当包括当事人的姓名，法人的名称及其法定代表人的姓名或者其他组织的名称及其主要负责人的姓名；原审人民法院名称、案件的编号和案由；上诉的请求和理由。
第一百六十六条 上诉状应当通过原审人民法院提出，并按照对方当事人或者代表人的人数提出副本。
当事人直接向第二审人民法院上诉的，第二审人民法院应当在五日内将上诉状移交原审人民法院。
第一百六十七条 原审人民法院收到上诉状，应当在五日内将上诉状副本送达对方当事人，对方当事人在收到之日起十五日内提出答辩状。人民法院应当在收到答辩状之日起五日内将副本送达上诉人。对方当事人不提出答辩状的，不影响人民法院审理。
原审人民法院收到上诉状、答辩状，应当在五日内连同全部案卷和证据，报送第二审人民法院。
第一百六十八条 第二审人民法院应当对上诉请求的有关事实和适用法律进行审查。
第一百六十九条 第二审人民法院对上诉案件，应当组成合议庭，开庭审理。经过阅卷、调查和询问当事人，对没有提出新的事实、证据或者理由，合议庭认为不需要开庭审理的，可以不开庭审理。
第二审人民法院审理上诉案件，可以在本院进行，也可以到案件发生地或者原审人民法院所在地进行。
第一百七十条 第二审人民法院对上诉案件，经过审理，按照下列情形，分别处理：
（一）原判决、裁定认定事实清楚，适用法律正确的，以判决、裁定方式驳回上诉，维持原判决、裁定；
（二）原判决、裁定认定事实错误或者适用法律错误的，以判决、裁定方式依法改判、撤销或者变更；
（三）原判决认定基本事实不清的，裁定撤销原判决，发回原审人民法院重审，或者查清事实后改判；
（四）原判决遗漏当事人或者违法缺席判决等严重违反法定程序的，裁定撤销原判决，发回原审人民法院重审。
原审人民法院对发回重审的案件作出判决后，当事人提起上诉的，第二审人民法院不得再次发回重审。
第一百七十一条 第二审人民法院对不服第一审人民法院裁定的上诉案件的处理，一律使用裁定。
第一百七十二条 第二审人民法院审理上诉案件，可以进行调解。调解达成协议，应当制作调解书，由审判人员、书记员署名，加盖人民法院印章。调解书送达后，原审人民法院的判决即视为撤销。
第一百七十三条 第二审人民法院判决宣告前，上诉人申请撤回上诉的，是否准许，由第二审人民法院裁定。
第一百七十四条 第二审人民法院审理上诉案件，除依照本章规定外，适用第一审普通程序。
第一百七十五条 第二审人民法院的判决、裁定，是终审的判决、裁定。
第一百七十六条 人民法院审理对判决的上诉案件，应当在第二审立案之日起三个月内审结。有特殊情况需要延长的，由本院院长批准。
人民法院审理对裁定的上诉案件，应当在第二审立案之日起三十日内作出终审裁定。
第十五章 特别程序
第一节 一般规定
第一百七十七条 人民法院审理选民资格案件、宣告失踪或者宣告死亡案件、认定公民无民事行为能力或者限制民事行为能力案件、认定财产无主案件、确认调解协议案件和实现担保物权案件，适用本章规定。本章没有规定的，适用本法和其他法律的有关规定。
第一百七十八条 依照本章程序审理的案件，实行一审终审。选民资格案件或者重大、疑难的案件，由审判员组成合议庭审理；其他案件由审判员一人独任审理。
第一百七十九条 人民法院在依照本章程序审理案件的过程中，发现本案属于民事权益争议的，应当裁定终结特别程序，并告知利害关系人可以另行起诉。
第一百八十条 人民法院适用特别程序审理的案件，应当在立案之日起三十日内或者公告期满后三十日内审结。有特殊情况需要延长的，由本院院长批准。但审理选民资格的案件除外。
第二节 选民资格案件
第一百八十一条 公民不服选举委员会对选民资格的申诉所作的处理决定，可以在选举日的五日以前向选区所在地基层人民法院起诉。
第一百八十二条 人民法院受理选民资格案件后，必须在选举日前审结。
审理时，起诉人、选举委员会的代表和有关公民必须参加。
人民法院的判决书，应当在选举日前送达选举委员会和起诉人，并通知有关公民。
第三节 宣告失踪、宣告死亡案件
第一百八十三条 公民下落不明满二年，利害关系人申请宣告其失踪的，向下落不明人住所地基层人民法院提出。
申请书应当写明失踪的事实、时间和请求，并附有公安机关或者其他有关机关关于该公民下落不明的书面证明。
第一百八十四条 公民下落不明满四年，或者因意外事故下落不明满二年，或者因意外事故下落不明，经有关机关证明该公民不可能生存，利害关系人申请宣告其死亡的，向下落不明人住所地基层人民法院提出。
申请书应当写明下落不明的事实、时间和请求，并附有公安机关或者其他有关机关关于该公民下落不明的书面证明。
第一百八十五条 人民法院受理宣告失踪、宣告死亡案件后，应当发出寻找下落不明人的公告。宣告失踪的公告期间为三个月，宣告死亡的公告期间为一年。因意外事故下落不明，经有关机关证明该公民不可能生存的，宣告死亡的公告期间为三个月。
公告期间届满，人民法院应当根据被宣告失踪、宣告死亡的事实是否得到确认，作出宣告失踪、宣告死亡的判决或者驳回申请的判决。
第一百八十六条 被宣告失踪、宣告死亡的公民重新出现，经本人或者利害关系人申请，人民法院应当作出新判决，撤销原判决。
第四节 认定公民无民事行为能力、限制民事行为能力案件
第一百八十七条 申请认定公民无民事行为能力或者限制民事行为能力，由其近亲属或者其他利害关系人向该公民住所地基层人民法院提出。
申请书应当写明该公民无民事行为能力或者限制民事行为能力的事实和根据。
第一百八十八条 人民法院受理申请后，必要时应当对被请求认定为无民事行为能力或者限制民事行为能力的公民进行鉴定。申请人已提供鉴定意见的，应当对鉴定意见进行审查。
第一百八十九条 人民法院审理认定公民无民事行为能力或者限制民事行为能力的案件，应当由该公民的近亲属为代理人，但申请人除外。近亲属互相推诿的，由人民法院指定其中一人为代理人。该公民健康情况许可的，还应当询问本人的意见。
人民法院经审理认定申请有事实根据的，判决该公民为无民事行为能力或者限制民事行为能力人；认定申请没有事实根据的，应当判决予以驳回。
第一百九十条 人民法院根据被认定为无民事行为能力人、限制民事行为能力人或者他的监护人的申请，证实该公民无民事行为能力或者限制民事行为能力的原因已经消除的，应当作出新判决，撤销原判决。
第五节 认定财产无主案件
第一百九十一条 申请认定财产无主，由公民、法人或者其他组织向财产所在地基层人民法院提出。
申请书应当写明财产的种类、数量以及要求认定财产无主的根据。
第一百九十二条 人民法院受理申请后，经审查核实，应当发出财产认领公告。公告满一年无人认领的，判决认定财产无主，收归国家或者集体所有。
第一百九十三条 判决认定财产无主后，原财产所有人或者继承人出现，在民法通则规定的诉讼时效期间可以对财产提出请求，人民法院审查属实后，应当作出新判决，撤销原判决。
第六节 确认调解协议案件
第一百九十四条 申请司法确认调解协议，由双方当事人依照人民调解法等法律，自调解协议生效之日起三十日内，共同向调解组织所在地基层人民法院提出。
第一百九十五条 人民法院受理申请后，经审查，符合法律规定的，裁定调解协议有效，一方当事人拒绝履行或者未全部履行的，对方当事人可以向人民法院申请执行；不符合法律规定的，裁定驳回申请，当事人可以通过调解方式变更原调解协议或者达成新的调解协议，也可以向人民法院提起诉讼。
第七节 实现担保物权案件
第一百九十六条 申请实现担保物权，由担保物权人以及其他有权请求实现担保物权的人依照物权法等法律，向担保财产所在地或者担保物权登记地基层人民法院提出。
第一百九十七条 人民法院受理申请后，经审查，符合法律规定的，裁定拍卖、变卖担保财产，当事人依据该裁定可以向人民法院申请执行；不符合法律规定的，裁定驳回申请，当事人可以向人民法院提起诉讼。
第十六章 审判监督程序
第一百九十八条 各级人民法院院长对本院已经发生法律效力的判决、裁定、调解书，发现确有错误，认为需要再审的，应当提交审判委员会讨论决定。
最高人民法院对地方各级人民法院已经发生法律效力的判决、裁定、调解书，上级人民法院对下级人民法院已经发生法律效力的判决、裁定、调解书，发现确有错误的，有权提审或者指令下级人民法院再审。
第一百九十九条 当事人对已经发生法律效力的判决、裁定，认为有错误的，可以向上一级人民法院申请再审；当事人一方人数众多或者当事人双方为公民的案件，也可以向原审人民法院申请再审。当事人申请再审的，不停止判决、裁定的执行。
第二百条 当事人的申请符合下列情形之一的，人民法院应当再审：
（一）有新的证据，足以推翻原判决、裁定的；
（二）原判决、裁定认定的基本事实缺乏证据证明的；
（三）原判决、裁定认定事实的主要证据是伪造的；
（四）原判决、裁定认定事实的主要证据未经质证的；
（五）对审理案件需要的主要证据，当事人因客观原因不能自行收集，书面申请人民法院调查收集，人民法院未调查收集的；
（六）原判决、裁定适用法律确有错误的；
（七）审判组织的组成不合法或者依法应当回避的审判人员没有回避的；
（八）无诉讼行为能力人未经法定代理人代为诉讼或者应当参加诉讼的当事人，因不能归责于本人或者其诉讼代理人的事由，未参加诉讼的；
（九）违反法律规定，剥夺当事人辩论权利的；
（十）未经传票传唤，缺席判决的；
（十一）原判决、裁定遗漏或者超出诉讼请求的；
（十二）据以作出原判决、裁定的法律文书被撤销或者变更的；
（十三）审判人员审理该案件时有贪污受贿，徇私舞弊，枉法裁判行为的。
第二百零一条 当事人对已经发生法律效力的调解书，提出证据证明调解违反自愿原则或者调解协议的内容违反法律的，可以申请再审。经人民法院审查属实的，应当再审。
第二百零二条 当事人对已经发生法律效力的解除婚姻关系的判决、调解书，不得申请再审。
第二百零三条 当事人申请再审的，应当提交再审申请书等材料。人民法院应当自收到再审申请书之日起五日内将再审申请书副本发送对方当事人。对方当事人应当自收到再审申请书副本之日起十五日内提交书面意见；不提交书面意见的，不影响人民法院审查。人民法院可以要求申请人和对方当事人补充有关材料，询问有关事项。
第二百零四条 人民法院应当自收到再审申请书之日起三个月内审查，符合本法规定的，裁定再审；不符合本法规定的，裁定驳回申请。有特殊情况需要延长的，由本院院长批准。
因当事人申请裁定再审的案件由中级人民法院以上的人民法院审理，但当事人依照本法第一百九十九条的规定选择向基层人民法院申请再审的除外。最高人民法院、高级人民法院裁定再审的案件，由本院再审或者交其他人民法院再审，也可以交原审人民法院再审。
第二百零五条 当事人申请再审，应当在判决、裁定发生法律效力后六个月内提出；有本法第二百条第一项、第三项、第十二项、第十三项规定情形的，自知道或者应当知道之日起六个月内提出。
第二百零六条 按照审判监督程序决定再审的案件，裁定中止原判决、裁定、调解书的执行，但追索赡养费、扶养费、抚育费、抚恤金、医疗费用、劳动报酬等案件，可以不中止执行。
第二百零七条 人民法院按照审判监督程序再审的案件，发生法律效力的判决、裁定是由第一审法院作出的，按照第一审程序审理，所作的判决、裁定，当事人可以上诉；发生法律效力的判决、裁定是由第二审法院作出的，按照第二审程序审理，所作的判决、裁定，是发生法律效力的判决、裁定；上级人民法院按照审判监督程序提审的，按照第二审程序审理，所作的判决、裁定是发生法律效力的判决、裁定。
人民法院审理再审案件，应当另行组成合议庭。
第二百零八条 最高人民检察院对各级人民法院已经发生法律效力的判决、裁定，上级人民检察院对下级人民法院已经发生法律效力的判决、裁定，发现有本法第二百条规定情形之一的，或者发现调解书损害国家利益、社会公共利益的，应当提出抗诉。
地方各级人民检察院对同级人民法院已经发生法律效力的判决、裁定，发现有本法第二百条规定情形之一的，或者发现调解书损害国家利益、社会公共利益的，可以向同级人民法院提出检察建议，并报上级人民检察院备案；也可以提请上级人民检察院向同级人民法院提出抗诉。
各级人民检察院对审判监督程序以外的其他审判程序中审判人员的违法行为，有权向同级人民法院提出检察建议。
第二百零九条 有下列情形之一的，当事人可以向人民检察院申请检察建议或者抗诉：
（一）人民法院驳回再审申请的；
（二）人民法院逾期未对再审申请作出裁定的；
（三）再审判决、裁定有明显错误的。
人民检察院对当事人的申请应当在三个月内进行审查，作出提出或者不予提出检察建议或者抗诉的决定。当事人不得再次向人民检察院申请检察建议或者抗诉。
第二百一十条 人民检察院因履行法律监督职责提出检察建议或者抗诉的需要，可以向当事人或者案外人调查核实有关情况。
第二百一十一条 人民检察院提出抗诉的案件，接受抗诉的人民法院应当自收到抗诉书之日起三十日内作出再审的裁定；有本法第二百条第一项至第五项规定情形之一的，可以交下一级人民法院再审，但经该下一级人民法院再审的除外。
第二百一十二条 人民检察院决定对人民法院的判决、裁定、调解书提出抗诉的，应当制作抗诉书。
第二百一十三条 人民检察院提出抗诉的案件，人民法院再审时，应当通知人民检察院派员出席法庭。
第十七章 督促程序
第二百一十四条 债权人请求债务人给付金钱、有价证券，符合下列条件的，可以向有管辖权的基层人民法院申请支付令：
（一）债权人与债务人没有其他债务纠纷的；
（二）支付令能够送达债务人的。
申请书应当写明请求给付金钱或者有价证券的数量和所根据的事实、证据。
第二百一十五条 债权人提出申请后，人民法院应当在五日内通知债权人是否受理。
第二百一十六条 人民法院受理申请后，经审查债权人提供的事实、证据，对债权债务关系明确、合法的，应当在受理之日起十五日内向债务人发出支付令；申请不成立的，裁定予以驳回。
债务人应当自收到支付令之日起十五日内清偿债务，或者向人民法院提出书面异议。
债务人在前款规定的期间不提出异议又不履行支付令的，债权人可以向人民法院申请执行。
第二百一十七条 人民法院收到债务人提出的书面异议后，经审查，异议成立的，应当裁定终结督促程序，支付令自行失效。
支付令失效的，转入诉讼程序，但申请支付令的一方当事人不同意提起诉讼的除外。
第十八章 公示催告程序
第二百一十八条 按照规定可以背书转让的票据持有人，因票据被盗、遗失或者灭失，可以向票据支付地的基层人民法院申请公示催告。依照法律规定可以申请公示催告的其他事项，适用本章规定。
申请人应当向人民法院递交申请书，写明票面金额、发票人、持票人、背书人等票据主要内容和申请的理由、事实。
第二百一十九条 人民法院决定受理申请，应当同时通知支付人停止支付，并在三日内发出公告，催促利害关系人申报权利。公示催告的期间，由人民法院根据情况决定，但不得少于六十日。
第二百二十条 支付人收到人民法院停止支付的通知，应当停止支付，至公示催告程序终结。
公示催告期间，转让票据权利的行为无效。
第二百二十一条 利害关系人应当在公示催告期间向人民法院申报。
人民法院收到利害关系人的申报后，应当裁定终结公示催告程序，并通知申请人和支付人。
申请人或者申报人可以向人民法院起诉。
第二百二十二条 没有人申报的，人民法院应当根据申请人的申请，作出判决，宣告票据无效。判决应当公告，并通知支付人。自判决公告之日起，申请人有权向支付人请求支付。
第二百二十三条 利害关系人因正当理由不能在判决前向人民法院申报的，自知道或者应当知道判决公告之日起一年内，可以向作出判决的人民法院起诉。
第三编 执行程序
第十九章 一般规定
第二百二十四条 发生法律效力的民事判决、裁定，以及刑事判决、裁定中的财产部分，由第一审人民法院或者与第一审人民法院同级的被执行的财产所在地人民法院执行。
法律规定由人民法院执行的其他法律文书，由被执行人住所地或者被执行的财产所在地人民法院执行。
第二百二十五条 当事人、利害关系人认为执行行为违反法律规定的，可以向负责执行的人民法院提出书面异议。当事人、利害关系人提出书面异议的，人民法院应当自收到书面异议之日起十五日内审查，理由成立的，裁定撤销或者改正；理由不成立的，裁定驳回。当事人、利害关系人对裁定不服的，可以自裁定送达之日起十日内向上一级人民法院申请复议。
第二百二十六条 人民法院自收到申请执行书之日起超过六个月未执行的，申请执行人可以向上一级人民法院申请执行。上一级人民法院经审查，可以责令原人民法院在一定期限内执行，也可以决定由本院执行或者指令其他人民法院执行。
第二百二十七条 执行过程中，案外人对执行标的提出书面异议的，人民法院应当自收到书面异议之日起十五日内审查，理由成立的，裁定中止对该标的的执行；理由不成立的，裁定驳回。案外人、当事人对裁定不服，认为原判决、裁定错误的，依照审判监督程序办理；与原判决、裁定无关的，可以自裁定送达之日起十五日内向人民法院提起诉讼。
第二百二十八条 执行工作由执行员进行。
采取强制执行措施时，执行员应当出示证件。执行完毕后，应当将执行情况制作笔录，由在场的有关人员签名或者盖章。
人民法院根据需要可以设立执行机构。
第二百二十九条 被执行人或者被执行的财产在外地的，可以委托当地人民法院代为执行。受委托人民法院收到委托函件后，必须在十五日内开始执行，不得拒绝。执行完毕后，应当将执行结果及时函复委托人民法院；在三十日内如果还未执行完毕，也应当将执行情况函告委托人民法院。
受委托人民法院自收到委托函件之日起十五日内不执行的，委托人民法院可以请求受委托人民法院的上级人民法院指令受委托人民法院执行。
第二百三十条 在执行中，双方当事人自行和解达成协议的，执行员应当将协议内容记入笔录，由双方当事人签名或者盖章。
申请执行人因受欺诈、胁迫与被执行人达成和解协议，或者当事人不履行和解协议的，人民法院可以根据当事人的申请，恢复对原生效法律文书的执行。
第二百三十一条 在执行中，被执行人向人民法院提供担保，并经申请执行人同意的，人民法院可以决定暂缓执行及暂缓执行的期限。被执行人逾期仍不履行的，人民法院有权执行被执行人的担保财产或者担保人的财产。
第二百三十二条 作为被执行人的公民死亡的，以其遗产偿还债务。作为被执行人的法人或者其他组织终止的，由其权利义务承受人履行义务。
第二百三十三条 执行完毕后，据以执行的判决、裁定和其他法律文书确有错误，被人民法院撤销的，对已被执行的财产，人民法院应当作出裁定，责令取得财产的人返还；拒不返还的，强制执行。
第二百三十四条 人民法院制作的调解书的执行，适用本编的规定。
第二百三十五条 人民检察院有权对民事执行活动实行法律监督。
第二十章 执行的申请和移送
第二百三十六条 发生法律效力的民事判决、裁定，当事人必须履行。一方拒绝履行的，对方当事人可以向人民法院申请执行，也可以由审判员移送执行员执行。
调解书和其他应当由人民法院执行的法律文书，当事人必须履行。一方拒绝履行的，对方当事人可以向人民法院申请执行。
第二百三十七条 对依法设立的仲裁机构的裁决，一方当事人不履行的，对方当事人可以向有管辖权的人民法院申请执行。受申请的人民法院应当执行。
被申请人提出证据证明仲裁裁决有下列情形之一的，经人民法院组成合议庭审查核实，裁定不予执行：
（一）当事人在合同中没有订有仲裁条款或者事后没有达成书面仲裁协议的；
（二）裁决的事项不属于仲裁协议的范围或者仲裁机构无权仲裁的；
（三）仲裁庭的组成或者仲裁的程序违反法定程序的；
（四）裁决所根据的证据是伪造的；
（五）对方当事人向仲裁机构隐瞒了足以影响公正裁决的证据的；
（六）仲裁员在仲裁该案时有贪污受贿，徇私舞弊，枉法裁决行为的。
人民法院认定执行该裁决违背社会公共利益的，裁定不予执行。
裁定书应当送达双方当事人和仲裁机构。
仲裁裁决被人民法院裁定不予执行的，当事人可以根据双方达成的书面仲裁协议重新申请仲裁，也可以向人民法院起诉。
第二百三十八条 对公证机关依法赋予强制执行效力的债权文书，一方当事人不履行的，对方当事人可以向有管辖权的人民法院申请执行，受申请的人民法院应当执行。
公证债权文书确有错误的，人民法院裁定不予执行，并将裁定书送达双方当事人和公证机关。
第二百三十九条 申请执行的期间为二年。申请执行时效的中止、中断，适用法律有关诉讼时效中止、中断的规定。
前款规定的期间，从法律文书规定履行期间的最后一日起计算；法律文书规定分期履行的，从规定的每次履行期间的最后一日起计算；法律文书未规定履行期间的，从法律文书生效之日起计算。
第二百四十条 执行员接到申请执行书或者移交执行书，应当向被执行人发出执行通知，并可以立即采取强制执行措施。
第二十一章 执行措施
第二百四十一条 被执行人未按执行通知履行法律文书确定的义务，应当报告当前以及收到执行通知之日前一年的财产情况。被执行人拒绝报告或者虚假报告的，人民法院可以根据情节轻重对被执行人或者其法定代理人、有关单位的主要负责人或者直接责任人员予以罚款、拘留。
第二百四十二条 被执行人未按执行通知履行法律文书确定的义务，人民法院有权向有关单位查询被执行人的存款、债券、股票、基金份额等财产情况。人民法院有权根据不同情形扣押、冻结、划拨、变价被执行人的财产。人民法院查询、扣押、冻结、划拨、变价的财产不得超出被执行人应当履行义务的范围。
人民法院决定扣押、冻结、划拨、变价财产，应当作出裁定，并发出协助执行通知书，有关单位必须办理。
第二百四十三条 被执行人未按执行通知履行法律文书确定的义务，人民法院有权扣留、提取被执行人应当履行义务部分的收入。但应当保留被执行人及其所扶养家属的生活必需费用。
人民法院扣留、提取收入时，应当作出裁定，并发出协助执行通知书，被执行人所在单位、银行、信用合作社和其他有储蓄业务的单位必须办理。
第二百四十四条 被执行人未按执行通知履行法律文书确定的义务，人民法院有权查封、扣押、冻结、拍卖、变卖被执行人应当履行义务部分的财产。但应当保留被执行人及其所扶养家属的生活必需品。
采取前款措施，人民法院应当作出裁定。
第二百四十五条 人民法院查封、扣押财产时，被执行人是公民的，应当通知被执行人或者他的成年家属到场；被执行人是法人或者其他组织的，应当通知其法定代表人或者主要负责人到场。拒不到场的，不影响执行。被执行人是公民的，其工作单位或者财产所在地的基层组织应当派人参加。
对被查封、扣押的财产，执行员必须造具清单，由在场人签名或者盖章后，交被执行人一份。被执行人是公民的，也可以交他的成年家属一份。
第二百四十六条 被查封的财产，执行员可以指定被执行人负责保管。因被执行人的过错造成的损失，由被执行人承担。
第二百四十七条 财产被查封、扣押后，执行员应当责令被执行人在指定期间履行法律文书确定的义务。被执行人逾期不履行的，人民法院应当拍卖被查封、扣押的财产；不适于拍卖或者当事人双方同意不进行拍卖的，人民法院可以委托有关单位变卖或者自行变卖。国家禁止自由买卖的物品，交有关单位按照国家规定的价格收购。
第二百四十八条 被执行人不履行法律文书确定的义务，并隐匿财产的，人民法院有权发出搜查令，对被执行人及其住所或者财产隐匿地进行搜查。
采取前款措施，由院长签发搜查令。
第二百四十九条 法律文书指定交付的财物或者票证，由执行员传唤双方当事人当面交付，或者由执行员转交，并由被交付人签收。
有关单位持有该项财物或者票证的，应当根据人民法院的协助执行通知书转交，并由被交付人签收。
有关公民持有该项财物或者票证的，人民法院通知其交出。拒不交出的，强制执行。
第二百五十条 强制迁出房屋或者强制退出土地，由院长签发公告，责令被执行人在指定期间履行。被执行人逾期不履行的，由执行员强制执行。
强制执行时，被执行人是公民的，应当通知被执行人或者他的成年家属到场；被执行人是法人或者其他组织的，应当通知其法定代表人或者主要负责人到场。拒不到场的，不影响执行。被执行人是公民的，其工作单位或者房屋、土地所在地的基层组织应当派人参加。执行员应当将强制执行情况记入笔录，由在场人签名或者盖章。
强制迁出房屋被搬出的财物，由人民法院派人运至指定处所，交给被执行人。被执行人是公民的，也可以交给他的成年家属。因拒绝接收而造成的损失，由被执行人承担。
第二百五十一条 在执行中，需要办理有关财产权证照转移手续的，人民法院可以向有关单位发出协助执行通知书，有关单位必须办理。
第二百五十二条 对判决、裁定和其他法律文书指定的行为，被执行人未按执行通知履行的，人民法院可以强制执行或者委托有关单位或者其他人完成，费用由被执行人承担。
第二百五十三条被执行人未按判决、裁定和其他法律文书指定的期间履行给付金钱义务的，应当加倍支付迟延履行期间的债务利息。被执行人未按判决、裁定和其他法律文书指定的期间履行其他义务的，应当支付迟延履行金。
第二百五十四条 人民法院采取本法第二百四十二条、第二百四十三条、第二百四十四条规定的执行措施后，被执行人仍不能偿还债务的，应当继续履行义务。债权人发现被执行人有其他财产的，可以随时请求人民法院执行。
第二百五十五条 被执行人不履行法律文书确定的义务的，人民法院可以对其采取或者通知有关单位协助采取限制出境，在征信系统记录、通过媒体公布不履行义务信息以及法律规定的其他措施。
第二十二章 执行中止和终结
第二百五十六条 有下列情形之一的，人民法院应当裁定中止执行：
（一）申请人表示可以延期执行的；
（二）案外人对执行标的提出确有理由的异议的；
（三）作为一方当事人的公民死亡，需要等待继承人继承权利或者承担义务的；
（四）作为一方当事人的法人或者其他组织终止，尚未确定权利义务承受人的；
（五）人民法院认为应当中止执行的其他情形。
中止的情形消失后，恢复执行。
第二百五十七条 有下列情形之一的，人民法院裁定终结执行：
（一）申请人撤销申请的；
（二）据以执行的法律文书被撤销的；
（三）作为被执行人的公民死亡，无遗产可供执行，又无义务承担人的；
（四）追索赡养费、扶养费、抚育费案件的权利人死亡的；
（五）作为被执行人的公民因生活困难无力偿还借款，无收入来源，又丧失劳动能力的；
（六）人民法院认为应当终结执行的其他情形。
第二百五十八条 中止和终结执行的裁定，送达当事人后立即生效。
第四编 涉外民事诉讼程序的特别规定
第二十三章 一般原则
第二百五十九条 在中华人民共和国领域内进行涉外民事诉讼，适用本编规定。本编没有规定的，适用本法其他有关规定。
第二百六十条 中华人民共和国缔结或者参加的国际条约同本法有不同规定的，适用该国际条约的规定，但中华人民共和国声明保留的条款除外。
第二百六十一条 对享有外交特权与豁免的外国人、外国组织或者国际组织提起的民事诉讼，应当依照中华人民共和国有关法律和中华人民共和国缔结或者参加的国际条约的规定办理。
第二百六十二条 人民法院审理涉外民事案件，应当使用中华人民共和国通用的语言、文字。当事人要求提供翻译的，可以提供，费用由当事人承担。
第二百六十三条 外国人、无国籍人、外国企业和组织在人民法院起诉、应诉，需要委托律师代理诉讼的，必须委托中华人民共和国的律师。
第二百六十四条 在中华人民共和国领域内没有住所的外国人、无国籍人、外国企业和组织委托中华人民共和国律师或者其他人代理诉讼，从中华人民共和国领域外寄交或者托交的授权委托书，应当经所在国公证机关证明，并经中华人民共和国驻该国使领馆认证，或者履行中华人民共和国与该所在国订立的有关条约中规定的证明手续后，才具有效力。
第二十四章 管辖
第二百六十五条 因合同纠纷或者其他财产权益纠纷，对在中华人民共和国领域内没有住所的被告提起的诉讼，如果合同在中华人民共和国领域内签订或者履行，或者诉讼标的物在中华人民共和国领域内，或者被告在中华人民共和国领域内有可供扣押的财产，或者被告在中华人民共和国领域内设有代表机构，可以由合同签订地、合同履行地、诉讼标的物所在地、可供扣押财产所在地、侵权行为地或者代表机构住所地人民法院管辖。
第二百六十六条 因在中华人民共和国履行中外合资经营企业合同、中外合作经营企业合同、中外合作勘探开发自然资源合同发生纠纷提起的诉讼，由中华人民共和国人民法院管辖。
第二十五章 送达、期间
第二百六十七条 人民法院对在中华人民共和国领域内没有住所的当事人送达诉讼文书，可以采用下列方式：
（一）依照受送达人所在国与中华人民共和国缔结或者共同参加的国际条约中规定的方式送达；
（二）通过外交途径送达；
（三）对具有中华人民共和国国籍的受送达人，可以委托中华人民共和国驻受送达人所在国的使领馆代为送达；
（四）向受送达人委托的有权代其接受送达的诉讼代理人送达；
（五）向受送达人在中华人民共和国领域内设立的代表机构或者有权接受送达的分支机构、业务代办人送达；
（六）受送达人所在国的法律允许邮寄送达的，可以邮寄送达，自邮寄之日起满三个月，送达回证没有退回，但根据各种情况足以认定已经送达的，期间届满之日视为送达；
（七）采用传真、电子邮件等能够确认受送达人收悉的方式送达；
（八）不能用上述方式送达的，公告送达，自公告之日起满三个月，即视为送达。
第二百六十八条 被告在中华人民共和国领域内没有住所的，人民法院应当将起诉状副本送达被告，并通知被告在收到起诉状副本后三十日内提出答辩状。被告申请延期的，是否准许，由人民法院决定。
第二百六十九条 在中华人民共和国领域内没有住所的当事人，不服第一审人民法院判决、裁定的，有权在判决书、裁定书送达之日起三十日内提起上诉。被上诉人在收到上诉状副本后，应当在三十日内提出答辩状。当事人不能在法定期间提起上诉或者提出答辩状，申请延期的，是否准许，由人民法院决定。
第二百七十条 人民法院审理涉外民事案件的期间，不受本法第一百四十九条、第一百七十六条规定的限制。
第二十六章 仲裁
第二百七十一条 涉外经济贸易、运输和海事中发生的纠纷，当事人在合同中订有仲裁条款或者事后达成书面仲裁协议，提交中华人民共和国涉外仲裁机构或者其他仲裁机构仲裁的，当事人不得向人民法院起诉。
当事人在合同中没有订有仲裁条款或者事后没有达成书面仲裁协议的，可以向人民法院起诉。
第二百七十二条 当事人申请采取保全的，中华人民共和国的涉外仲裁机构应当将当事人的申请，提交被申请人住所地或者财产所在地的中级人民法院裁定。
第二百七十三条 经中华人民共和国涉外仲裁机构裁决的，当事人不得向人民法院起诉。一方当事人不履行仲裁裁决的，对方当事人可以向被申请人住所地或者财产所在地的中级人民法院申请执行。
第二百七十四条 对中华人民共和国涉外仲裁机构作出的裁决，被申请人提出证据证明仲裁裁决有下列情形之一的，经人民法院组成合议庭审查核实，裁定不予执行：
（一）当事人在合同中没有订有仲裁条款或者事后没有达成书面仲裁协议的；
（二）被申请人没有得到指定仲裁员或者进行仲裁程序的通知，或者由于其他不属于被申请人负责的原因未能陈述意见的；
（三）仲裁庭的组成或者仲裁的程序与仲裁规则不符的；
（四）裁决的事项不属于仲裁协议的范围或者仲裁机构无权仲裁的。
人民法院认定执行该裁决违背社会公共利益的，裁定不予执行。
第二百七十五条 仲裁裁决被人民法院裁定不予执行的，当事人可以根据双方达成的书面仲裁协议重新申请仲裁，也可以向人民法院起诉。
第二十七章 司法协助
第二百七十六条 根据中华人民共和国缔结或者参加的国际条约，或者按照互惠原则，人民法院和外国法院可以相互请求，代为送达文书、调查取证以及进行其他诉讼行为。
外国法院请求协助的事项有损于中华人民共和国的主权、安全或者社会公共利益的，人民法院不予执行。
第二百七十七条 请求和提供司法协助，应当依照中华人民共和国缔结或者参加的国际条约所规定的途径进行；没有条约关系的，通过外交途径进行。
外国驻中华人民共和国的使领馆可以向该国公民送达文书和调查取证，但不得违反中华人民共和国的法律，并不得采取强制措施。
除前款规定的情况外，未经中华人民共和国主管机关准许，任何外国机关或者个人不得在中华人民共和国领域内送达文书、调查取证。
第二百七十八条 外国法院请求人民法院提供司法协助的请求书及其所附文件，应当附有中文译本或者国际条约规定的其他文字文本。
人民法院请求外国法院提供司法协助的请求书及其所附文件，应当附有该国文字译本或者国际条约规定的其他文字文本。
第二百七十九条 人民法院提供司法协助，依照中华人民共和国法律规定的程序进行。外国法院请求采用特殊方式的，也可以按照其请求的特殊方式进行，但请求采用的特殊方式不得违反中华人民共和国法律。
第二百八十条 人民法院作出的发生法律效力的判决、裁定，如果被执行人或者其财产不在中华人民共和国领域内，当事人请求执行的，可以由当事人直接向有管辖权的外国法院申请承认和执行，也可以由人民法院依照中华人民共和国缔结或者参加的国际条约的规定，或者按照互惠原则，请求外国法院承认和执行。
中华人民共和国涉外仲裁机构作出的发生法律效力的仲裁裁决，当事人请求执行的，如果被执行人或者其财产不在中华人民共和国领域内，应当由当事人直接向有管辖权的外国法院申请承认和执行。
第二百八十一条 外国法院作出的发生法律效力的判决、裁定，需要中华人民共和国人民法院承认和执行的，可以由当事人直接向中华人民共和国有管辖权的中级人民法院申请承认和执行，也可以由外国法院依照该国与中华人民共和国缔结或者参加的国际条约的规定，或者按照互惠原则，请求人民法院承认和执行。
第二百八十二条 人民法院对申请或者请求承认和执行的外国法院作出的发生法律效力的判决、裁定，依照中华人民共和国缔结或者参加的国际条约，或者按照互惠原则进行审查后，认为不违反中华人民共和国法律的基本原则或者国家主权、安全、社会公共利益的，裁定承认其效力，需要执行的，发出执行令，依照本法的有关规定执行。违反中华人民共和国法律的基本原则或者国家主权、安全、社会公共利益的，不予承认和执行。
第二百八十三条 国外仲裁机构的裁决，需要中华人民共和国人民法院承认和执行的，应当由当事人直接向被执行人住所地或者其财产所在地的中级人民法院申请，人民法院应当依照中华人民共和国缔结或者参加的国际条约，或者按照互惠原则办理。
第二百八十四条 本法自公布之日起施行，《中华人民共和国民事诉讼法（试行）》同时废止。
PRC President's Order (No.59 of the 11th NPC)
Part One: Purpose, scope of application and basic principles
Article 1: The PRC Civil Procedure Law is formulated on the basis of the Constitution, while taking into account the experiences and actual circumstances of China in adjudicating civil cases.
Article 2: The purpose of the PRC Civil Procedure Law is to protect the exercise by the parties of their procedural rights, to ensure that the people's courts establish the facts, to distinguish right from wrong, to apply the law correctly, to try civil cases in a timely manner, to affirm civil rights and obligations, to impose sanctions for civil offences, to protect the lawful rights and interests of the parties, to educate citizens to observe the law conscientiously, to maintain the social and economic order and to safeguard the smooth progress of socialist construction.
Article 3: The Law shall apply to civil actions heard by people's courts involving relationships concerning property and personal relationships between citizens, between legal persons or between other organisations, and among citizens, legal persons and other organisations.
Article 4: All those who are engaged in civil actions within the territory of the People's Republic of China must abide by this Law.
Article 5: Foreign nationals, stateless persons and foreign enterprises and organisations that institute or respond to proceedings in a people's court shall have the same procedural rights and obligations as citizens, legal persons and other organisations of the People's Republic of China.
If the courts of a foreign country impose restrictions on the civil procedural rights of citizens, legal persons and other organisations of the People's Republic of China, the people's courts of the People's Republic of China shall implement the principle of reciprocity regarding the civil procedural rights of citizens, enterprises and organisations of such foreign country.
Article 6: Jurisdiction over civil cases shall be exercised by the people's courts.
A people's court shall try civil cases independently in accordance with the law, and shall not be subject to interference by any administrative authority, association or individual.
Article 7 : In trying civil cases, a people's court must take the facts as the basis and the law as the standard.
Article 8: The parties to a civil action shall have equal procedural rights. In trying civil cases, a people's court shall safeguard and facilitate the exercise by the parties of their procedural rights, and shall treat the parties equally in the application of law.
Article 9: In trying civil cases, a people's court shall carry out mediation in accordance with the principles of voluntary participation and lawfulness; if mediation fails, a judgment shall be made forthwith.
Article 10: In trying civil cases, a people's court shall, in accordance with the law, implement a system whereby trial is conducted publicly by collegiate bench, adjudication personnel may be challenged, and the judgment at second instance is final.
Article 11: Citizens of all ethnic groups shall have the right to use the spoken and written languages of their own ethnic groups during civil proceedings.
In areas inhabited by relatively large numbers of a minority ethnic group or by several minority ethnic groups, the people's courts shall conduct hearings and issue legal documents in the spoken and written languages commonly used by the local ethnic groups.
The people's courts shall provide interpretation and translation for those participants in an action who are not familiar with the spoken or written languages commonly used by the local ethnic groups.
Article 12: In the trial of civil cases by people's courts, the parties shall have the right to present an argument.
Article 13: Civil actions shall comply with the principle of good faith.
The parties shall have the right, within the scope stipulated by the law, to decide matters concerning their own civil and procedural rights.
Article 14: The people's procuratorates shall have the right to exercise legal supervision over civil actions.
Article 15: If the rights and interests of the state, a collective or an individual are violated, government authorities, associations, enterprises and institutions may support the injured entity or individual to institute proceedings in the people's court.
Article 16: The people's congresses of the autonomous regions of the ethnic groups may formulate flexible or supplementary provisions in accordance with the principles of the Constitution and this Law, and in the light of the specific circumstances of local ethnic groups. Such provisions made by an autonomous region shall be submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for approval. Provisions made by autonomous prefectures and autonomous counties shall be submitted to the standing committee of the people's congresses of the respective provinces or autonomous regions for approval, and shall be recorded with the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.
Part Two: Jurisdiction
Section One: Levels of jurisdiction
Article 17: Except where otherwise stipulated in this Law, basic-level people's courts shall have jurisdiction as courts of first instance over all civil cases.
Article 18: Intermediate people's courts shall have jurisdiction as courts of first instance over the following types of civil cases:
(1) major cases involving foreign parties;
(2) cases with significant impact in the areas over which the courts exercise jurisdiction; and
(3) cases determined by the Supreme People's Court to come under the jurisdiction of the intermediate people's courts.
Article 19: Higher people's courts shall have jurisdiction as courts of first instance over civil cases with significant impact in the areas over which they exercise jurisdiction.
Article 20: The Supreme People's Court shall have jurisdiction as the court of first instance over the following types of civil cases:
(1) cases with significant impact on the whole country; and
(2) cases that the Supreme People's Court deems it should try itself.
Section Two: Territorial jurisdiction
Article 21: A civil action instituted against a citizen shall come under the jurisdiction of the people's court in the place where the defendant is domiciled; if the defendant's place of domicile is different from the place of his/her habitual residence, the people's court in the place of his/her habitual residence shall have jurisdiction.
A civil action instituted against a legal person or any other organisation shall come under the jurisdiction of the people's court in the place where the defendant is domiciled.
If the places of domicile or habitual residence of several defendants in the same lawsuit come under the jurisdiction of two or more people's courts, all of those people's courts shall have jurisdiction.
Article 22: The following civil actions shall come under the jurisdiction of the people's court of the place where the plaintiff is domiciled; if the plaintiff's place of domicile is different from the place of his/her habitual residence, the people's court in the place of his/her habitual residence shall have jurisdiction:
(1) actions concerning personal relationships instituted against persons not residing within the territory of the People's Republic of China;
(2) actions concerning the personal relationships instituted against whose persons whereabouts are unknown or who have been declared missing;
(3) actions instituted against persons who are subjected to compulsory educational measures; and
(4) actions instituted against persons who are imprisoned.
Article 23: An action involving a contractual dispute shall come under the jurisdiction of the people's court of the place where the defendant is domiciled or where the contract is performed.
Article 24: An action involving a dispute over an insurance contract shall come under the jurisdiction of the people's court of the place where the defendant is domiciled or where the insured subject matter is located.
Article 25: An action involving a negotiable instrument shall come under the jurisdiction of the people's court of the place where payment on the instrument is made or where the defendant is domiciled.
Article 26: The people's court of the place where a company is domiciled shall have jurisdiction in legal actions instituted in respect of disputes over the establishment of the company, confirmation of the qualifications of its shareholders, distribution of profits, dissolution, etc.
Article 27: An action involving a dispute over a contract for railway, highway, water, or air transportation or combined transportation shall come under the jurisdiction of the people's court of the place of departure or place of destination or of the place where the defendant is domiciled.
Article 28: An action involving a tort shall come under the jurisdiction of the people's court of the place where the tort was committed or where the defendant is domiciled.
Article 29: An action involving a claim for damages arising from a railway, highway, water or aviation accident shall come under the jurisdiction of the people's court of the place where the accident took place, or where the vehicle or vessel first arrived, or where the aircraft first landed, or of the place where the defendant is domiciled.
Article 30: An action involving a claim for damages arising from a collision of vessels or other maritime accident shall come under the jurisdiction of the people's court of the place where the collision took place, or where the vessel collided with first docked, or where the vessel at fault was detained, or where the defendant is domiciled.
Article 31: An action involving maritime salvage expenses shall come under the jurisdiction of the people's court of the place of salvage or of the place where the salvaged ship first docked.
Article 32: An action involving general average shall come under the jurisdiction of the people's court of the place where the ship first docked, or where the general average was adjusted, or where the voyage ended.
Article 33: The following cases shall come under the exclusive jurisdiction of the people's courts specified in this Article:
(1) an action involving a dispute over immovable property shall come under the jurisdiction of the people's court of the place where the immovable property is located;
(2) an action involving a dispute arising from port operations shall come under the jurisdiction of the people's court of the place where the port is located; and
(3) an action involving a dispute over an inheritance shall come under the jurisdiction of the people's court of the place of domicile of the person whose property is inherited or where the major portion of the estate is located.
Article 34: The parties in a contractual dispute or other dispute over rights and interests in property may agree in writing to choose the people's court of a place that has an actual connection with the dispute, such as the place where the defendant is domiciled, where the contract is performed, where the contract is executed, where the plaintiff is domiciled or where the subject matter of the dispute is located, to be the competent court, provided that the provisions of this Law on levels of jurisdiction and exclusive jurisdiction are not violated.
Article 35: When two or more people's courts have jurisdiction over an action, the plaintiff may institute his/her/its action in one of those people's courts; if the plaintiff institutes the action in two or more competent people's courts, the people's court that first puts the case on its trial docket shall have jurisdiction.
Section Three: Referral and designation of jurisdiction
Article 36: If a people's court discovers that a case it has accepted is not within its jurisdiction, it shall refer the case to the competent people's court, which shall accept the case. If a people's court to which a case is referred considers that the case does not come under its jurisdiction in accordance with provisions, it shall report to a people's court at a higher level for designation of jurisdiction and shall not further refer the case on its own authority.
Article 37: If a competent people's court is unable to exercise jurisdiction due to special reasons, a people's court at a higher level shall designate jurisdiction.
A dispute over jurisdiction between people's courts shall be resolved by the disputing courts through consultation. If the dispute cannot be resolved through consultation, it shall be submitted to the people's court that is a mutual superior people's court of the disputing courts for a decision concerning jurisdiction.
Article 38: People's courts at higher levels shall have the authority to try civil cases over which people's courts at lower levels have jurisdiction as courts of first instance; if there is a genuine need for a higher level court to delegate a civil case over which it has jurisdiction as the court of first instance for trial to a people's court at a lower level, it shall report the same to the people's court at a higher level for its approval.
If a people's court at a lower level deems it necessary for a civil case of first instance under its jurisdiction to be tried by a people's court at a higher level, it may request that such people's court try the case.
Part Three: Organisation of trial and adjudication
Article 39: When trying a civil case of first instance, a people's court shall form a collegiate bench consisting of both judges and a jury or of judges alone. A collegiate bench must have an odd number of members.
Civil cases to which summary procedure is applied shall be tried by a single judge.
When performing their duties as jurors, the jurors shall have the same powers and obligations as the judges.
Article 40: When trying a civil case at second instance, a people's court shall form a collegiate bench of judges. The collegiate bench must have an odd number of members.
When trying a case remanded for a retrial, the people's court that originally tried the case shall form a new collegiate bench in accordance with the procedure at first instance.
If a case to be retried was originally tried at first instance, a new collegiate bench shall be formed in accordance with the procedure at first instance; if the case was originally tried at second instance or was removed to a people's court at a higher level for trial, a new collegiate bench shall be formed in accordance with the procedure at second instance.
Article 41: The court president or the division head shall designate a judge to serve as the presiding judge of the collegiate bench; if the court president or the division head participates in the trial and adjudication, he/she shall serve as the presiding judge.
Article 42: When deliberating over a case, a collegiate bench shall observe the principle by which the minority shall defer to the majority. The deliberations shall be recorded in writing, and the transcript shall be signed by the members of the collegiate bench. Dissenting opinions in the deliberations must be faithfully recorded in the transcript.
Article 43: Adjudication personnel shall handle cases impartially and in accordance with the law.
Adjudication personnel may not accept invitations to meals or gifts from the parties or their agents ad litem .
If any adjudication personnel commits embezzlement, accepts bribes, practises graft or makes a judgment that perverts the law, their legal liability shall be investigated; if a criminal offence is constituted, such personnel shall be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Part Four: Challenge and withdrawal
Article 44: A member of the adjudication personnel shall recuse himself/herself, and the parties shall also have the right to challenge him/her orally or in writing, if:
(1) he/she is a party or a close family member of a party or a close family member of an agent ad litem ;
(2) he/she has a material interest in the case; or
(3) he/she has some other relationship with a party or agent ad litem that may influence the impartial handling of the case.
If a member of the adjudication personnel is entertained or given a gift by a party or an agent ad litem or meets a party or agent ad litem ex parte in violation of provisions, any other party shall have the right to challenge him/her.
If a member of the adjudication personnel has committed either of the acts specified in the preceding paragraph, his/her legal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law.
The provisions of the preceding three paragraphs shall also apply to clerks, interpreters, forensic analysts and inspectors.
Article 45: When challenging a member of the adjudication personnel, a party shall explain the reasons and shall raise the challenge at the beginning of the trial; if the reason for challenge becomes known after the trial has commenced, the challenge may also be raised prior to the conclusion of the court debate.
Pending a decision on withdrawal by the people's court, challenged personnel shall temporarily suspend their participation in the work for the case, except where the circumstances of the case require emergency measures.
Article 46: The challenge or withdrawal of a court president serving as presiding judge shall be decided on by the judicial committee. The challenge or withdrawal of adjudication personnel shall be decided on by the court president. The challenge or withdrawal of other personnel shall be decided on by the presiding judge.
Article 47: The decision by a people's court on a challenge raised by a party shall be made orally or in writing within three days after the challenge was raised. If the applicant disagrees with the decision, he/she/it may apply once for review upon receipt of the decision. During the period of review, the challenged personnel shall not suspend their participation in the work for the case. The decision by a people's court on an application for review shall be made within three days and the applicant shall be notified of the decision.
Part Five: Participants in an action
Section One: Parties
Article 48: Any citizen, legal person or other organisation may be a party to a civil action.
Legal persons shall be represented in litigation by their legal representatives. Other organisations shall be represented in litigation by the head of such an organisation.
Article 49: Parties shall have the right to appoint agents, to challenge adjudication personnel, to collect and present evidence, to engage in debates, to request mediation, to file appeals and to apply for enforcement.
Parties may have access to the materials relating to the case, and may copy the materials and legal documents relating to the case. The scope of materials relating to the case that may be accessed and copied, and the methods of granting access and copying, shall be determined by the Supreme People's Court.
Parties must exercise their procedural rights in accordance with the law, observe litigation procedures, and perform the terms of written judgments, rulings or mediation statements that have become legally effective.
Article 50: The two parties may reach a settlement on their own.
Article 51: A plaintiff may withdraw or modify his/her/its claims. A defendant may admit or rebut the claims and shall have the right to institute a counterclaim.
Article 52: If one party or both parties consist of two or more persons, the subject matter of the action is the same or of the same category and the people's court considers that the case can be tried as a joint action, the case shall be tried as a joint action, subject to the consent of the parties.
If the persons constituting a party to a joint action have common rights and obligations with respect to the subject matter of the action, and a procedural act by one member of the party is recognised by the other members of the party, such act shall be effective for all the other members of the party. If the persons constituting a party to a joint action do not have common rights and obligations with respect to the subject matter of the action, a procedural act by one of those persons shall not be effective for the other members of the party.
Article 53: A joint action in which one party consists of numerous persons may be brought by a representative elected by such persons. The procedural acts of such representative shall be effective for all members of the party he/she/it represents. However, the representative's modification or withdrawal of claims, or recognition of the other party's claims or involvement in mediation shall require the consent of the party he/she/it represents.
Article 54: If a party consists of numerous persons and the subject matter of the action is of the same category, and upon institution of the action the number of persons is not determined yet, the people's court may issue a public notice which states the particulars of the case and the claims and requests that the rights holders register with the people's court within a certain period of time.
Rights holders who have registered with the people's court may elect a representative to engage in litigation; if no such representative can be elected, the people's court may discuss with the registered rights holders in determining their representative.
The procedural acts of a representative shall be effective for the party he/she/it represents. However, the representative's modification or withdrawal of claims, or recognition of the other party's claims or involvement in mediation shall require the consent of the party he/she/it represents.
Judgments or rulings rendered by a people's court shall be effective for all the rights holders who have registered with the court. Such judgments or rulings shall apply to rights holders who have not registered with the court but who institute actions during the limitation period.
Article 55: With respect to acts that prejudice the public interest, such as pollution of the environment and infringement of the lawful rights and interests of numerous consumers, the authorities and relevant organisations specified under law may institute legal actions in people's courts.
Article 56: If a third party considers that he/she/it has an independent claim against the subject matter of the action of the two parties, he/she/it shall have the right to institute an action.
If a third party has no independent right of claim against the subject matter of the action of the two parties but the outcome of the case will affect his/her/its legal interests, he/she/it may apply to join in the action, or the people's court shall notify him/her/it requesting his/her/its joinder. If the people's court judges that a third party shall bear civil liability, such third party shall have the procedural rights and obligations of a party.
If a third party as specified in the preceding two paragraphs fails to participate in a legal action due to a reason not attributable to him/her/it but has evidence showing that part or all of a legally effective judgment, ruling or written mediation statement is incorrect, prejudicing his/her/its civil rights and interests, he/she/it may institute a legal action in the people's court that rendered such judgment, ruling or written mediation statement within six months from the date on which he/she/it learnt or ought to have learnt that his/her/its civil rights and interests were prejudiced. If his/her/its claim is upheld during the trial by the people's court, the court shall amend or vacate the original judgment, ruling or written mediation statement. If the claim is not tenable, it shall be dismissed.
Section Two: Agents ad litem
Article 57: A person with no capacity to engage in litigation shall be represented in an action by his/her guardians, who shall be his/her statutory agents. If the statutory agents shift onto one another the responsibility to act as agents, the people's court shall appoint one of them to represent the principal in the action.
Article 58: A party or statutory agent may appoint one or two persons to act as his/her/its agent ad litem .
The following persons may be appointed agents ad litem :
(1) lawyers and grassroots legal service workers;
(2) close family members or employees of the party concerned; and
(3) citizens recommended by the community or the entity to which the party concerned belongs or a relevant association.
Article 59: When a person appoints another person to represent him/her/it in an action, he/she/it must submit to the people's court a power of attorney bearing his/her/its signature or stamp.
A power of attorney must specify the subject matter and limits of authority granted. An agent ad litem must possess special authorisation from his/her principal to recognise, withdraw or modify claims, to become involved in mediation, to file a counterclaim or to lodge an appeal on behalf of his/her principal.
A power of attorney sent from abroad or delivered in the care of another by a citizen of the People's Republic of China residing in a foreign country must be certified by the embassy or a consulate of the People's Republic of China in that country. If there is no embassy or consulate of the People's Republic of China in that country, the power of attorney shall be certified by an embassy or a consulate in that country of a third country that has diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, and then transferred for authentication to the embassy or a consulate of the People's Republic of China in such third country, or by a local patriotic organisation of overseas Chinese.
Article 60: If a party modifies or revokes the authority granted to his/her/its agent ad litem , he/she/it shall inform the people's court in writing and the people's court shall inform the other party.
Article 61: Lawyers and other agents who serve as persons ad litem shall have the right to investigate and collect evidence, and may have access to the materials relating to the case. The scope of materials relating to the case that may be accessed, and the methods of granting access, shall be determined by the Supreme People's Court.
Article 62: Where a party to a divorce case is represented by an agent ad litem , the party shall still enter an appearance before the court, unless he/she is incapable of expressing his/her meaning. A party who is truly unable to appear in court due to special reasons must present his/her opinion in writing to the people's court.
Part Six: Evidence
Article 63: Evidence shall comprise the following categories:
(1) statements of the parties;
(2) documentary evidence;
(3) physical evidence;
(4) audio-visual materials;
(5) electronic data;
(6) testimony of witnesses;
(7) forensic opinion; and
(8) records of on-site inspection.
Evidence must be verified before it can be taken as a basis for establishing the facts.
Article 64: A party shall be responsible for providing evidence in support of his/her/its allegations.
Where a party and his/her/its agent ad litem are unable to collect the evidence on their own for reasons beyond their control, or where the people's court deems it necessary for the trial of the case, the people's court shall investigate and collect the evidence.
The people's court shall thoroughly and objectively investigate and verify evidence in accordance with legal procedure.
Article 65: A party shall provide evidence in support of his/her/its allegations in a timely manner.
The people's court shall determine the evidence that a party is required to provide and the deadline for doing so based on the party's allegations and the case trial circumstances. Where it is genuinely difficult for the party to provide the evidence by the deadline, he/she/it may apply to the people's court for an extension of the deadline and the people's court shall appropriately extend the same pursuant to the party's application. If a party fails to provide the evidence by the deadline, the people's court shall order him/her/it to give the reason therefor. If he/she/it refuses to give the reason or the reason given is untenable, the people's court may, depending on the circumstances, refuse to accept the evidence or accept the evidence but with a reprimand and/or a fine.
Article 66: When a people's court receives an exhibit submitted by a party, it shall issue a receipt indicating the title of the exhibit, the number of pages, the number of copies, whether it is an original or photocopy and the date of receipt, and such receipt shall be signed or stamped by the handling officer.
Article 67: The people's court shall have the right to investigate and take evidence from the relevant entities or individuals, and such entities or individuals may not refuse to cooperate.
The people's court shall examine and determine the authenticity and validity of documentary evidence provided by relevant entities and individuals.
Article 68: Evidence shall be presented in court and examined by the parties. Evidence involving state secrets, trade secrets or private matters of individuals shall be kept confidential. If such evidence must be presented in court, it may not be presented in a public court session.
Article 69: A people's court shall use legal facts and documents notarised in accordance with the statutory procedure as the basis for establishing the facts, except where there is contrary evidence sufficient to overturn the notarial certification.
Article 70: Documentary evidence shall be presented in its original form. When presenting physical evidence, the original object shall be presented. If it is truly difficult to present the original document or object, then reproductions, photographs, duplicates or extracts of the original may be presented.
When documentary evidence in a foreign language is to be submitted, it must be accompanied by a Chinese translation.
Article 71: The people's court shall verify the authenticity of audio-visual materials and investigate and determine, while taking into account other evidence in the case, whether they can be taken as a basis for establishing the facts.
Article 72: All entities and individuals that have knowledge of the circumstances of a case shall be obliged to appear in court and testify. The person in charge of a relevant entity shall support the witnesses in giving testimony.
A person who is unable to express his/her meaning correctly may not testify.
Article 73: A witness notified by a people's court shall appear in court to testify. A witness may, with the permission of the people's court, testify by means such as written testimony, audio-visual transmission technology or audio-visual materials if:
(1) he/she cannot appear in court for health reasons;
(2) he/she cannot appear in court because of distance or inconvenient transportation;
(3) he/she cannot appear in court due to a natural disaster or other such event of force majeure ; or
(4) he/she cannot appear in court due to another legitimate reason.
Article 74: The travel, accommodation, meal and other such necessary expenses incurred by a witness in performing his/her obligation of appearing in court to testify as well as losses for not being at work shall be borne by the losing party. If a party applies for a witness to give testimony, such party shall advance such witness's expenses. If there is no application by a party and the people's court notifies a witness to give testimony, the people's court shall advance such witness's expenses.
Article 75: The people's court shall investigate and determine, while taking into account other evidence of the case, whether the statements of a party can be taken as a basis for establishing the facts.
Refusal by a party to make a statement will not affect the establishment of the facts of the case by the people's court on the basis of the evidence.
Article 76: For issues of a specialist nature in the establishment of the facts, a party may apply to the people's court for a forensic analysis. Where a party applies for a forensic analysis, the parties shall decide on the qualified forensic analyst through consultations. If their consultations prove unsuccessful, the people's court shall designate the forensic analyst.
Where none of the parties applies for a forensic analysis, if the people's court deems such forensic analysis necessary for an issue of a specialist nature, it shall appoint a qualified forensic analyst to conduct such forensic analysis.
Article 77: A forensic analyst shall have the right to acquaint himself/herself with case materials necessary for the analysis, and may direct inquires to the parties and witnesses when necessary.
A forensic analyst shall present a written forensic opinion and affix his/her signature or stamp to such opinion.
Article 78: If a party is in disagreement with the forensic opinion or the people's court deems it necessary for the forensic analyst to appear in court, the forensic analyst shall appear in court to testify. If, following notification by the people's court, the forensic analyst refuses to appear in court to testify, his/her forensic opinion may not serve as a basis for ascertaining the facts, and the party that paid the expenses for the forensic analysis may request the refund of the same.
Article 79: A party may apply to the people's court to notify a person with specialised knowledge to appear in court to give his/her opinion on the forensic opinion rendered by a forensic analyst or on a technical issue.
Article 80: When carrying out an inspection of physical evidence or a scene inspection, the inspector must show the credentials issued by the people's court and invite local basic-level organisations or the entities of the parties to send persons to participate in the inspection. The party concerned or an adult member of his/her family shall be present. Such person's refusal to appear on the scene shall not affect the performance of the inspection.
Upon notification by the people's court, relevant entities and individuals shall have an obligation to protect the scene and to assist with the inspection work.
An inspector shall prepare a written record of the circumstances and results of the inspection. Such record shall be signed or stamped by the inspector, the party concerned and the invited participants.
Article 81: Where evidence could be destroyed or lost, or be difficult to secure in future, a party may apply to the people's court for preservation of the evidence in the course of the proceedings. The people's court may also take measures to preserve such evidence on its own initiative.
In urgent circumstances, where evidence could be destroyed or lost, or be difficult to secure in future, a materially interested party may apply for preservation of the evidence to the people's court of the place where the evidence is located, the people's court of the place where the respondent is domiciled or the competent people's court in the case before he/she/it institutes a legal action or applies for arbitration.
For other procedures for the preservation of evidence, relevant provisions of Part Nine, Preservation, hereof shall apply mutatis mutandis .
Part Seven: Time periods and service
Section One: Time periods
Article 82: Time periods include statutory time periods and time periods designated by the people's courts.
Time periods shall be calculated in hours, days, months and years. The hour and day from which a time period commences shall not be counted as falling within such time period.
If the expiration date of a time period falls on a holiday, the day immediately following the holiday shall be the expiration date.
A time period shall not include transit time. Procedural documents mailed before the expiration of the time period shall not be deemed overdue.
Article 83: If a party exceeds a time limit due to an event of force majeure or for other legitimate reasons, he/she/it may apply for an extension of the time period within 10 days after the removal of the obstacles. The application for extension shall be decided on by the people's court.
Section Two: Service
Article 84: Service of any procedural document must be evidenced by an acknowledgement of service. The person served shall clearly state the date of receipt on the acknowledgement of service, and affix his/her/its signature or stamp to it.
The date of signature for receipt as entered on the acknowledgement of service by the person served shall be the date of service.
Article 85: A procedural document shall be served directly on the person being served. If the person being served is a citizen, the document shall, in case of his/her absence, be delivered to an adult member of his/her family living with him/her, who shall sign for receipt. If the person being served is a legal person or another organisation, the document shall be signed for receipt by the legal representative of the legal person or by the head of the organisation, or by the person of the legal person or the organisation who is in charge of receiving documents. If the person being served has an agent ad litem , the document may be served on his/her/its agent ad litem ; who shall sign for receipt. If the person being served has designated an agent to receive documents on his/her/its behalf and has notified the people's court of the designation, the document may be served on the agent, who shall sign for receipt.
The date of signature for receipt as entered on the acknowledgement of service by an adult family member of the person being served who is living with such person, or by the person of the legal person or other organisation who is in charge of receiving documents, or by the agent ad litem , or the agent designated to receive documents shall be the date of service.
Article 86: If the person being served or an adult member of his/her family who is living with him/her refuses to accept a procedural document, the person serving the document may invite a representative from the relevant basic-level organisation or the entity to which the person being served belongs to attend the scene, explain the situation to him/her, and record on the acknowledgement of service the particulars and date of the refusal. After the person serving the document and the witness have signed or stamped the acknowledgement of service, the procedural document shall be left at the domicile of the person being served, or, alternatively, the procedural document may be left at the domicile of the person being served and the service process recorded by means such as photographs or video, whereupon the document shall be deemed to have been served.
Article 87: Subject to the consent of the person being served, the people's court may serve procedural documents, other than a judgment, ruling or written mediation statement, by fax, e-mail or other such means that permits confirmation of receipt.
If service is effected by the means specified in the preceding paragraph, the date on which the fax, e-mail, etc. reaches the specific system of the person being served shall be deemed the date of service.
Article 88: If direct service of a procedural service proves difficult, service of the document may be entrusted to another people's court or effected by post. If a document is served by post, the date as stated on the receipt shall be the date of service.
Article 89: If the person being served is in the military, the document shall be forwarded to him/her by the political organ of or above his/her regiment.
Article 90: If the person being served has been imprisoned, the document shall be forwarded to him/her by his/her prison.
If the person being served is subjected to compulsory educational measures, the documents shall be forwarded to him/her by his/her compulsory education institution.
Article 91: A forwarding authority or entity must, immediately upon receiving a procedural document, deliver the document to the person being served, who shall sign for receipt. The date of signature for receipt as entered on the acknowledgement of service shall be the date of service.
Article 92: If the whereabouts of the person being served are unknown, or if a document cannot be served by any other method provided for in this Section, the document shall be served by public announcement. The document shall be deemed to have been served when 60 days have elapsed since the date of the public announcement.
Where service is effected by public announcement, the reason for doing so and the steps taken shall be recorded in the case file.
Part Eight: Mediation
Article 93: In trying civil cases, a people's court shall distinguish right from wrong and conduct mediation in accordance with the principle of voluntary participation of the parties and on the basis of evident facts.
Article 94: Mediation conducted by a people's court may be presided over by a single judge or by the collegiate bench. Mediation shall be conducted locally whenever possible.
When conducting mediation, a people's court may use a simplified method to notify the parties and witnesses that they should appear in court.
Article 95: When conducting mediation, a people's court may invite the assistance of relevant entities and individuals. The entities and individuals invited shall assist the people's court in conducting mediation.
Article 96: A mediation agreement must be reached by the parties voluntarily, and may not be coerced. The contents of a mediation agreement may not violate the law.
Article 97: When a mediation agreement is reached, the people's court shall prepare a written mediation statement. The written mediation statement shall clearly state the claims, the facts of the case and the result of the mediation.
The written mediation statement shall be signed by the adjudication personnel and the court clerk, and the stamp of the people's court shall be affixed to it. After a mediation agreement has been so signed and stamped, it shall be served on both parties.
A written mediation statement shall become legally effective immediately after both parties have signed to indicate receipt of the statement.
Article 98: The people's court need not prepare a written mediation statement in the following types of cases when an agreement is reached through mediation:
(1) divorce cases in which the parties have become reconciled through mediation;
(2) cases in which an adoptive relationship has been maintained through mediation;
(3) cases in which the agreements can be performed immediately; and
(4) other cases that do not require written mediation statements.
An agreement that does not require a written mediation statement shall be entered into the written record and shall become legally effective immediately after being signed or stamped by both parties, the adjudication personnel and the court clerk.
Article 99: If no agreement is reached through mediation or if one party repudiates the agreement prior to service of the written mediation statement, the people's court shall make a judgment in a timely manner.
Part Nine: Preservation and preliminary enforcement
Article 100: In a case where, due to the act of a party or other reason, enforcement of the judgment could be difficult or other harm to a party could arise, the people's court may, pursuant to an application by the other party, render a ruling ordering preservation of a party's property, ordering a party to perform a certain act or prohibiting a party from performing a certain act. Where a party has not submitted an application, the people's court may, when necessary, render a ruling ordering preservation measures.
When a people's court adopts measures for preservation, it may order the applicant to provide security. If the applicant fails to provide security, his/her/its application shall be rejected.
After accepting an application from a party, the people's court must, if the case is urgent, make a ruling within 48 hours. If the people's court rules to adopt measures for preservation, the implementation of such ruling shall be commenced immediately.
Article 101: Where, due to urgent circumstances, the lawful rights and interests of a materially interested party would be irreparably prejudiced if he/she/it did not immediately apply for preservation, he/she/it may apply for preservation measures to the people's court of the place where the property to be preserved is located, the people's court of the place where the respondent is domiciled or the competent people's court in the case before he/she/it institutes a legal action or applies for arbitration. The applicant shall provide security. If the applicant fails to provide security, a ruling dismissing his/her/its application shall be rendered.
After accepting an application, the people's court must make a ruling within 48 hours. If the people's court rules to adopt measures for preservation, the implementation of such ruling shall be commenced immediately.
If the applicant fails to institute an action or apply for arbitration in accordance with the law within 30 days after the people's court has adopted preservation measures, the people's court shall cancel the preservation order.
Article 102: Preservation shall be limited to the scope of the claim or to the property relevant to the case.
Article 103: Preservation shall be carried out by sealing up, seizing, freezing or other methods as provided by law. Immediately after preserving property, a people's court shall notify the person whose property has been preserved.
Property that has already been sealed up or frozen shall not be sealed up or frozen again.
Article 104: If the respondent in a property dispute case provides security, the people's court shall render a ruling cancelling the preservation.
Article 105: If an application is made wrongfully, the applicant shall compensate the respondent for any loss incurred as a result of the preservation.
Article 106: Upon the request of a party, a people's court may make a ruling for preliminary enforcement in the following cases:
(1) those involving claims for overdue alimony, maintenance, child support, pensions for the disabled or the family of the deceased, or medical expenses;
(2) those involving claims for remuneration for labour; and
(3) those involving urgent circumstances that require preliminary enforcement.
Article 107: Cases in which a people's court makes a ruling for preliminary enforcement shall meet the following conditions:
(1) the relationship of rights and obligations between the parties is evident and, without preliminary enforcement, the life, production activities or business operations of the applicant would be seriously affected; and
(2) the respondent is capable of performing the ruling for preliminary enforcement.
The people's court may order the applicant to provide security. If the applicant fails to provide security, his/her/its application shall be rejected. If the applicant loses the action, he/she/it shall compensate the respondent for any loss of property incurred from the preliminary enforcement.
Article 108: If a party is dissatisfied with a ruling for preservation or preliminary enforcement, he/she/it may apply once for review. Enforcement of the ruling shall not be suspended during the period of review.
Part Ten: Enforcement measures against obstruction of civil actions
Article 109: If a defendant who must appear in court has been served a summons twice but refuses to appear before the court without proper cause, the people's court may summon him/her by means of arrest.
Article 110: Participants in actions and other persons shall comply with court rules.
Persons who violate court rules may be reprimanded, ordered to leave the court, fined or detained by the people's court.
Persons who seriously disrupt court order by making noises or creating an uproar in the courtroom, or by insulting, slandering, threatening, or battering adjudication personnel, shall be prosecuted by the people's court in accordance with the law. In less serious cases, such persons may be fined or detained.
Article 111: If a participant in an action or another person commits any of the following acts, the people's court may fine him/her/it or detain him/her according to the seriousness of the case; if the act constitutes a criminal offence, the person shall be prosecuted in accordance with the law:
(1) forging or destroying important evidence, thereby obstructing the trial of the case by the people's court;
(2) using violence, threats or subornation to prevent a witness from giving testimony, or instigating, suborning, or coercing others to commit perjury;
(3) concealing, removing, selling off or destroying property that has been sealed up or seized, or that has been inventoried and placed in his/her/its custody by order, or moving assets that have been frozen;
(4) insulting, slandering, falsely incriminating, battering or retaliating against judicial personnel, participants in the action, witnesses, interpreters, forensic analysts, inspectors, or personnel assisting in enforcement;
(5) using violence, threats or other methods to obstruct judicial personnel from performing their duties; or
(6) refusing to perform a legally effective judgment or ruling of the people's court.
Where a entity commits any of the acts listed in the preceding paragraph, the people's court may impose a fine or period of detention on the head of the entity or the person directly responsible for the act. If the act constitutes a criminal offence, such person shall be prosecuted according to law.
Article 112: Where parties maliciously collude, intending to prejudice another's lawful rights and interests through a legal action, mediation, etc., the people's court shall dismiss their claims and, depending on the seriousness of the circumstances, impose a fine and/or detain them. If a criminal offence is constituted, criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law.
Article 113: If a person subjected to enforcement maliciously colludes with another to evade, by means of a legal action, arbitration, mediation, etc, performance of the obligations determined in a legal document, the people's court shall, depending on the seriousness of the circumstances, impose a fine and/or detain them. If a criminal offence is constituted, criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law.
Article 114: If any of the following entities under an obligation to assist with investigation and enforcement commits any of the listed acts, the people's court may, in addition to ordering it to perform its obligation to assist, impose a fine:
(1) the relevant entity refuses to cooperate with or obstructs the investigation or collection of evidence by the people's court;
(2) after receipt of the notice to assist in enforcement from the people's court, the relevant entity refuses to assist in the inquiry about, seizure, freezing, appropriating or selling off of the property;
(3) the relevant entity, after receiving a notice from the people's court to assist with enforcement, refuses to assist in withholding the revenue of the person subjected to enforcement, or in handling the transfer procedures of the relevant title deeds, or in passing on the relevant negotiable instruments, certificates, or other property; or
(4) other acts of refusal to assist with enforcement.
The people's court may fine the main person in charge or directly responsible persons of an entity that has committed any of the acts set forth in the preceding paragraph. If he/she/they still fail to perform his/her/their obligation of providing assistance, he/she/they may be detained and the people's court may give a judicial recommendation to the supervision authority or relevant authority to impose disciplinary sanction on him/her/them.
Article 115: The amount of a fine imposed on an individual shall be at a maximum of Rmb100,000 and of that imposed on a entity shall not be less than Rmb50,000 and not more than Rmb1 million.
A period of detention shall not be longer than 15 days.
The people's court shall deliver detainees to the custody of the public security authority. If a detainee admits and corrects his/her wrongdoings during the period of detention, the people's court may decide to grant an early release.
Article 116: Summoning a person by means of arrest, the imposition of a fine and detention shall be subject to approval by the president of the people's court.
Summoning a person by means of arrest shall require the issue of an arrest warrant.
Written decisions shall be issued for the imposition of fines and detention. If an offender is dissatisfied with a decision, he/she/it may apply once to the people's court one level higher for review. Enforcement of the decision shall not be suspended during the period of review.
Article 117: Decisions on the adoption of enforcement measures against obstruction of civil actions must be made by the people's court. Any entity or individual that seeks performance of an obligation by illegal detention of a person or by illegal, private seizure of another's property shall be prosecuted in accordance with the law, or shall be detained or fined.
Part Eleven: Court costs
Article 118: Parties engaged in civil litigation shall pay a case acceptance fee in accordance with provisions. In property cases, the parties shall also pay other court costs in addition to the case acceptance fee.
If a party truly has difficulty in paying court costs, he/she/it may, in accordance with provisions, apply to the people's court for deferment, reduction or exemption of payment.
The methods for charging costs shall be formulated separately.
Part Twelve: Ordinary procedure at first instance
Section One: Institution and acceptance of actions
Article 119: To institute an action, the following conditions must be satisfied:
(1) the plaintiff must be a citizen, legal person or other organisation with a direct material interest in the case;
(2) there must be a specific defendant;
(3) there must be a specific claim and a specific factual basis and grounds; and
(4) the suit must fall within the range of civil actions accepted by the people's courts and within the jurisdiction of the people's court with which it is filed.
Article 120: When instituting an action, a complaint shall be submitted to the people's court, together with a number of copies corresponding to the number of defendants.
If a plaintiff truly has difficulty in writing a complaint, he/she may file the complaint verbally. The people's court shall transcribe such verbal complaint and notify the opposing party.
Article 121: A complaint shall specify the following:
(1) the plaintiff's name, sex, age, ethnicity, occupation, entity, domicile and contact information, or in the case of a legal person or other organisation, its name and domicile and the name, title and contact information of its legal representative or person in charge;
(2) the defendant's name, sex, entity, domicile and other such information, or in the case of a legal person or other organisation, its name, domicile and other such information;
(3) the claim and its supporting facts and grounds; and
(4) evidence and the source thereof, and the names and domiciles of witnesses.
Article 122: If the civil dispute brought before a people's court by a party would be suitable for mediation, mediation shall be attempted first, unless the parties refuse mediation.
Article 123: A people's court shall ensure that parties have the right to institute a legal action in accordance with the law. It must accept an action that is instituted in compliance with Article 119 hereof. Where the conditions for the institution of a legal action are satisfied, the people's court shall place the case on the docket within seven days and notify the parties. If the conditions are not satisfied, the people's court shall render a ruling document within seven days and not accept the case. If the plaintiff is dissatisfied with the ruling, he/she/it may lodge an appeal.
Article 124: A people's court shall, depending on the circumstances, handle actions brought before it as follows:
(1) where an action falls within the scope of cases that may be accepted as administrative actions under the Administrative Litigation Law, the plaintiff shall be notified that he/she/it should institute administrative litigation;
(2) where, in accordance with the law, the parties have negotiated a written arbitration agreement to apply for arbitration and prohibit them from instituting a legal action in a people's court, the people's court shall inform the plaintiff to apply to the arbitration institution for arbitration;
(3) where, in accordance with the law, the dispute shall be handled by another authority, the plaintiff shall be notified that he/she/it should apply for settlement of the dispute to the relevant authority;
(4) if the action does not come under the jurisdiction of the court with which it is filed, the plaintiff shall be informed that he/she/it should file the action with the competent people's court;
(5) if a party to a case in which the judgment, ruling or written mediation statement has become legally effective institutes a new action in the same case, it shall inform the plaintiff to apply for a retrial, except in the case of a ruling by the people's court permitting withdrawal of the action;
(6) where, in accordance with the law, no actions may be filed within a specified period and the action is filed within such period, it shall not be accepted; and
(7) in divorce cases, where a judgment has been made denying divorce or where the parties have become reconciled after mediation, and in cases where a judgment has been made to maintain an adoptive relationship or an adoptive relationship is maintained upon mediation, a new action filed for the same case by the plaintiff within six months shall not be accepted without new developments or grounds.
Section Two: Pre-trial preparations
Article 125: The people's court shall send a duplicate of the complaint to the defendant within five days from the date of placing the case on the docket, and the defendant shall submit a response within 15 days from the date of receipt of the complaint. The response shall state the defendant's name, sex, age, ethnicity, profession, entity, domicile and contact information, in the case of an individual; and in the case of a legal person or other organisation, its name, domicile and the name, title and contact information of its legal representative or person in charge. The people's court shall send a duplicate of the response to the plaintiff within five days from the date of receipt of the response.
Failure on the part of the defendant to submit a response shall not affect the trial of the case by the people's court.
Article 126: In cases that it has decided to accept, a people's court shall advise the parties orally, or in the notice of acceptance of the case and the notice of response to the action, of their procedural rights and obligations.
Article 127: If a party objects to the jurisdiction over a case after its acceptance by a people's court, the party shall raise the objection during the time limit for filing the response. The people's court shall examine such objection. If the objection is tenable, the people's court shall rule that the case be referred to the competent people's court; if the objection is untenable, it shall be overruled.
If the parties do not raise an objection to jurisdiction and respond to the action, the people's court that accepted the action shall be deemed to have jurisdiction, unless the provisions on levels of jurisdiction or exclusive jurisdiction are violated.
Article 128: The parties shall be notified within three days after the members of the collegiate bench have been determined.
Article 129: Adjudication personnel must conscientiously examine the materials relating to the action and examine and collect the necessary evidence.
Article 130: Personnel sent by a people's court to conduct an investigation shall show their credentials to the person under investigation.
The written record of the investigation shall be checked by the person under investigation and be subsequently signed or stamped by the person under investigation and the investigator.
Article 131: When necessary, a people's court may entrust a people's court in another locality with an investigation.
When entrusting such other people's court, the entrusting people's court must clearly set out the matter to be investigated and its requirements. The entrusted people's court may conduct supplementary investigations on its own initiative.
An entrusted people's court shall complete its investigation within 30 days after receipt of the letter of entrustment. If it cannot complete the investigation for any reason, it shall notify the entrusting people's court in writing within the above time limit.
Article 132: If a party who must participate in a joint action fails to participate in the action, the people's court shall notify him/her/it that he/she/it should participate in the action.
Article 133: A people's court shall, depending on the circumstances, handle an action it has accepted as follows:
(1) if the parties are not in disagreement and the case satisfies the conditions specified for the procedure for recovery of debts, it may be turned over to such procedure;
(2) if the case can be mediated before commencement of the trial, mediation shall be adopted to promptly resolve the dispute;
(3) depending on the circumstances of the case, it decides to apply the summary procedure or the ordinary procedure; or
(4) if a trial is necessary, it shall clarify the points in dispute through means such as requiring the parties to exchange evidence.
Section Three: Trial in court
Article 134: People's courts shall try civil cases in public, except for cases that involve state secrets or private matters of individuals or for which the law provides differently.
Divorce cases and cases that involve trade secrets may not be tried in camera if a party so requests.
Article 135: In trying civil cases, people's court shall conduct circuit trials to handle cases on the spot when necessary.
Article 136: When trying a civil case, the people's court shall notify the parties and other participants in the action three days prior to the hearing. If the case is to be tried in public, the names of the parties, the cause of action and the time and place of the hearing shall be publicly announced.
Article 137: Before a trial hearing is opened, the court clerk shall ascertain the presence of the parties and the other participants in the action and announce the rules of court discipline.
At the opening of a trial hearing, the presiding judge shall check the parties present, announce the cause of action, the names of the adjudication personnel and the name of the court clerk, advise the parties of their procedural rights and obligations and inquire whether the parties wish to challenge any adjudication personnel.
Article 138: Investigation before the court shall be conducted in accordance with the following procedure:
(1) statements by the parties are presented;
(2) witnesses are advised of their rights and obligations, and give testimony; the depositions of witnesses not present are read;
(3) documentary evidence, physical evidence, audio-visual information and electronic data are exhibited;
(4) the forensic opinion is read out; and
(5) the record of the on-site inspection is read out.
Article 139: The parties may introduce new evidence in court.
With the permission of the court, the parties may question the witnesses, forensic analysts and inspectors.
If a party requests a new investigation, a new forensic analysis or a new on-site inspection, the people's court shall decide on such request.
Article 140: If the plaintiff presents an additional claim, or the defendant brings a counterclaim or a third party presents a claim related to the case, such claim or counterclaim may be tried together with the original action.
Article 141: Court arguments shall be conducted in accordance with the following procedure:
(1) presentation of oral statement(s) by the plaintiff and his/her/its agent ad litem ;
(2) presentation of oral response(s) by the defendant and his/her/its agent ad litem ;
(3) presentation of oral statement(s) or response(s) by the third party and his/her/its agent ad litem ; and
(4) debate between the parties.
At the conclusion of the court debate, the presiding judge shall first ask the plaintiff, then the defendant and finally the third party to make their final comments.
Article 142: At the conclusion of the court debate, a judgment shall be made according to law. If possible, mediation may be conducted prior to making a judgment. If mediation is unsuccessful, a judgment shall be made in a timely manner.
Article 143: If a plaintiff has been served a summons but refuses without proper cause to appear before the court, or if a plaintiff leaves the courtroom during the trial without the court's permission, he/she may be deemed to have withdrawn his/her suit and, if the defendant has brought a counterclaim, a default judgment may be made.
Article 144: If a defendant has been served a summons, but refuses without proper cause to appear before the court or if a defendant leaves the courtroom during the trial without the court's permission, a default judgment may be made.
Article 145: If a plaintiff applies for withdrawal of action before judgment is pronounced, the people's court shall rule on such request.
If the people's court has overruled a request for withdrawal of action and the plaintiff, having been served a summons, refuses without proper cause to appear before the court, a default judgment may be made.
Article 146: A trial hearing may be adjourned in any of the following circumstances:
(1) a party or another participant in the action who must appear before the court fails to do so with proper cause;
(2) a party extemporarily challenges adjudication personnel;
(3) a new witness must be requested to appear before the court, new evidence must be taken, a new forensic analysis is required, a new on-site inspection is required or a supplementary investigation must be conducted; or
(4) other circumstances that require adjournment have arisen.
Article 147: The court clerk shall make a written record of all the activities during a trial hearing. Such record shall be signed by the adjudication personnel and the court clerk.
The court record shall be read out in court. Alternatively, the parties and other participants in the action may be notified that they should read the court record in the courtroom or within five days. If a party or another participant in the case considers the record to have omitted part of his/her statements or to contain errors in respect of his/her statements, he/she shall have the right to request correction. If the correction is not made, the application shall be recorded in the case file.
The court record shall be signed or stamped by the parties and the other participants in the case. Any refusal to sign or stamp the court record shall be recorded in a note to be attached to the file.
Article 148: People's courts shall publicly pronounce their judgments in all cases, whether tried in public or in camera .
If judgment is pronounced in court, the written judgment shall be dispatched within 10 days. If judgment is pronounced on a fixed date, the written judgment shall be issued immediately after pronouncement.
Upon pronouncement of judgment, the parties must be advised of their right to appeal, the time limit for appeal and the court with which an appeal should be lodged.
Upon pronouncement of a divorce judgment, the parties must be advised that they may not remarry before the judgment becomes legally effective.
Article 149: When handling a case according to ordinary procedure, a people's court shall conclude the case within six months from the date of putting it on its trial docket. Where there are special circumstances requiring an extension of such time limit, the time limit may be extended by six months subject to approval by the president of the court. If any further extension is required, approval shall be requested from a people's court at a higher level.
Section Four: Suspension and conclusion of actions
Article 150: The proceedings in an action shall be suspended in any of the following circumstances:
(1) one of the parties dies and it is necessary to wait for his/her successor to state whether he/she wishes to participate in the action;
(2) one of the parties has lost the capacity to engage in litigation, and his/her statutory agent has not been determined yet;
(3) the legal person or other organisation acting as one of the parties has terminated, and the successor to its rights and obligations has not been determined yet;
(4) one of the parties is unable to participate in the action due to an event of force majeure ;
(5) the case in question is dependent upon the outcome of the trial of another case that has not been concluded; or
(6) other circumstances require the suspension of proceedings.
Proceedings shall be resumed after the cause of suspension has been eliminated.
Article 151: An action shall be concluded in any of the following circumstances:
(1) the plaintiff dies without a successor, or the successor waives his/her procedural rights;
(2) the defendant dies without estate and there is no person to assume his/her obligations;
(3) one of the parties in a divorce case dies; or
(4) one of the parties in a case involving claims for overdue alimony, maintenance, child support or the termination of an adoptive relationship dies.
Section Five: Judgments and rulings
Article 152: A written judgment shall state the judgment outcome and the grounds on which the judgment was rendered. A written judgment shall include the following:
(1) the cause of action, the claims, the facts of the dispute and the grounds;
(2) the facts and reasons established in the judgment and the applicable law and reasons;
(3) the result of the judgment and the apportionment of court costs; and
(4) the time limit for appeal and the court with which an appeal should be lodged.
A written judgment shall be signed by the adjudication personnel and the court clerk, and the stamp of the people's court shall be affixed to it.
Article 153: If some of the facts of a case being tried are evident already, the people's court may make a judgment on those facts first.
Article 154: Rulings shall be applicable to the following:
(1) rejection of a case;
(2) objection to the jurisdiction of a court;
(3) dismissal of a complaint;
(4) preservation and preliminary enforcement;
(5) approval or disapproval of withdrawal of an action;
(6) suspension or conclusion of an action;
(7) provision of supplements to and/or correction of clerical errors in a written judgment;
(8) stay or termination of enforcement;
(9) vacation of or refusal to enforce an arbitral award;
(10) refusal to enforce a document on creditor's rights that has been rendered enforceable by a notary public; and
(11) other matters to be settled by a ruling.
Rulings made on matters under Items (1) to (3) of the preceding paragraph may be appealed.
A written ruling shall state the ruling outcome and the grounds on which the ruling was rendered. A written ruling shall be signed by the adjudication personnel and the clerk and be affixed with the stamp of the people's court. If a ruling is rendered orally, it shall be entered into the written record.
Article 155: Judgments and rulings made by the Supreme People's Court, and judgments and rulings that may not be appealed according to the law or that have not been appealed within the prescribed time limit shall be legally effective.
Article 156: The public may access legally effective written judgments and rulings, unless they involve state secrets, trade secrets or personal privacy.
Part Thirteen: Summary procedure
Article 157: This Part shall apply to the trial by basic-level people's courts and the tribunals established by them of simple civil cases in which the facts are evident, the relationships of rights and obligations are definite and the disputes are minor.
When a basic-level people's court or a tribunal established by it tries a civil case other than one as specified in the preceding paragraph, the parties may also agree on application of the summary procedure.
Article 158: In simple civil cases, the plaintiff may institute actions verbally.
Both parties may simultaneously appear before a people's court or a tribunal established by it to request settlement of their dispute. The basic-level people's court or the tribunal established by it may try the case immediately or set a date for trial.
Article 159: When a basic-level people's court or a tribunal established by it tries a simple civil case, it may use a simplified method to summon the parties and witnesses, serve procedural documents and try the case, provided that it safeguards the parties' rights to state their opinions.
Article 160: Simple civil cases shall be tried by a single judge, and the trial of such cases shall not be restricted by Articles 136, 138 and 141 hereof.
Article 161: When trying a case according to summary procedure, a people's court shall conclude the trial within three months from the date of entering it on its trial docket.
Article 162: When a basic-level people's court or a tribunal established by it tries a simple civil case complying with the first paragraph of Article 157 hereof and the subject amount is less than 30% of the average annual wage of an employed person for the previous year in the province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the central government, the trial at first instance shall be final.
Article 163: If, in the course of a trial, the people's court finds that the summary procedure is inappropriate for the case, it shall render a ruling for the case to be tried by the ordinary procedure.
Part Fourteen: Procedure at second instance
Article 164: If a party disagrees with a judgment made by a local people's court of first instance, he/she/it shall have the right to lodge an appeal with the people's court one level higher within 15 days from the date on which the written judgment was served.
If a party disagrees with a ruling made by a local people's court of first instance, he/she/it shall have the right to lodge an appeal with the people's court one level higher within 10 days from the date on which the written ruling was served.
Article 165: To lodge an appeal, an appeal petition shall be submitted. The contents of an appeal petition shall include the names of the parties, the names of the legal persons and their legal representatives or the names of the other organisations and their principal responsible persons; the name of the people's court that originally tried the case, the file number of the case and the cause of action; and the claims and grounds of the appeal.
Article 166: An appeal petition shall be submitted through the people's court that originally tried the case, together with a number of duplicates corresponding to the number of respondents or the number of representatives of the respondents.
If a party appeals directly to a people's court of second instance, such court shall transfer the appeal petition to the people's court that originally tried the case within five days.
Article 167: Within five days after receiving an appeal petition, the people's court that originally tried the case shall serve a duplicate of the appeal petition on the other party, who shall, within 15 days from the date of receipt, submit a response. The people's court shall, within five days after receiving the response, serve a duplicate of the response on the appellant. Failure on the part of the respondent to submit a response shall not affect the trial of the case by the people's court.
Within five days after receiving the appeal petition and the response, the people's court that originally tried the case shall deliver the documents to the people's court of second instance together with the entire case file and all the evidence.
Article 168: A people's court of second instance shall investigate the relevant facts and the applicable law pertaining to the appeal.
Article 169: When handling an appeal case, a people's court of second instance shall form a collegiate bench to try the case. If no new facts, evidence or grounds are presented following review of the case file, conducting of investigations and questioning of the parties, and the collegiate bench deems it unnecessary to try the case, it may refuse to try the case.
A people's court of second instance may try an appeal case in its own court or in the court of the place where the case originated or where the people's court that originally tried the case is located.
Article 170: After trying an appeal case, a people's court of second instance shall handle the case as follows depending on the following circumstances:
(1) if the facts were established clearly and the law was applied correctly in the original judgment or ruling, it shall render a judgment or ruling dismissing the appeal and upholding the original judgment or ruling;
(2) if the facts were established incorrectly or the law was applied incorrectly in the original judgment or ruling, it shall render a judgment or ruling amending, vacating or modifying the original judgment or ruling in accordance with the law;
(3) if the basic facts were established unclearly in the original judgment, it shall render a ruling vacating the original judgment and remanding the case to the people's court that originally tried the case for a retrial; or, after the facts have been clarified, it shall amend the original judgment; or
(4) if a serious violation of the statutory procedure was committed, such as the original judgment omitting a party or a default judgment being rendered in a manner that runs contrary to the law, it shall render a ruling vacating the original judgment and remanding the case to the people's court that originally tried the case for a retrial.
If, after the people's court that originally tried the case renders a judgment in a case remanded for a retrial, a party lodges an appeal against the same, the people's court of second instance may not remand the case again for a retrial.
Article 171: In handling an appeal against a ruling made by a people's court of first instance, the people's court of second instance shall in all cases render rulings.
Article 172: In trying an appeal case, a people's court of second instance may conduct mediation. If an agreement is reached upon mediation, a written mediation statement shall be prepared. Such written mediation statement shall be signed by the adjudication personnel and the court clerk, and the stamp of the people's court shall be affixed to it. Immediately upon service of the written mediation statement, the judgment of the people's court that originally tried the case shall be deemed to have been vacated.
Article 173: If an appellant applies for withdrawal of his/her/its appeal prior to the pronouncement of judgment by the people's court of second instance, the people's court of second instance shall rule on the application.
Article 174: In trying an appeal case, the people's court of second instance shall, in addition to complying with the provisions of this Part, apply the ordinary procedure at first instance.
Article 175: The judgments and rulings of a people's court of second instance shall be final.
Article 176: In trying a case of an appeal against a judgment, a people's court shall conclude the case within three months from the date of putting it on its trial docket as a case of second instance. Any extension of the time limit necessitated by special circumstances shall be subject to approval by the president of the court.
In trying a case of an appeal against a judgment, a people's court shall make a final ruling within 30 days from the date of putting it on its trial docket as a case of second instance.
Part Fifteen: Special procedure
Section One: General provisions
Article 177: This Part shall apply to the trial by people's court of cases concerning voter qualifications, the declaration of a person as missing or dead, the determination of a citizen as having no capacity for civil acts or as having limited capacity for civil acts, the determination of ownerless property, settlement agreement confirmation or the realisation of security rights. Where matters are not addressed in this Part, the relevant provisions of this Law and of other laws shall apply.
Article 178: Where a case is tried in accordance with the procedure set forth in this Part, the judgment of first instance shall be the final judgment. The trial of cases concerning voter qualifications and of major or difficult cases shall be conducted by a collegiate bench of judges. Other cases shall be tried by a single judge.
Article 179: If, in the course of trying a case in accordance with the procedure set forth in this Part, a people's court discovers that the case involves a dispute over civil rights and interests, it shall rule to terminate the special procedure, and shall inform the materially interested parties that they may institute a separate action.
Article 180: A people's court shall conclude a case tried according to special procedure within 30 days from the date of entering it on its trial docket or within 30 days from the expiration of the time limit set forth in the public notice. Any extension of the time limit necessitated by special circumstances shall be subject to approval by the president of the court in question, except for cases concerning voter qualifications.
Section Two: Cases on voter qualifications
Article 181: If a citizen disagrees with the decision of an election committee on his/her petition for a review concerning his/her qualifications to be a voter, he/she may institute an action at the basic-level people's court of his/her election district five days before election day.
Article 182: After accepting a case concerning voter qualifications, a people's court must conclude the trial before election day.
The suitor, representatives of the election committee and the citizens concerned must attend the trial.
The written judgment of the people's court shall be served on the election committee and the suitor before election day, and the citizens concerned shall be notified of the judgment.
Section Three: Cases on the declaration of a person as missing or dead
Article 183: To apply to have declared as missing a citizen whose whereabouts have been unknown for two years, a materially interested party shall submit an application to the basic-level people's court of the place where the missing person is domiciled.
The application shall clearly state the facts and time of the disappearance and the request, and shall be accompanied by a written certificate concerning the disappearance of the said citizen issued by a public security authority or other relevant authorities.
Article 184: To apply to have declared dead a citizen whose whereabouts have been unknown for four years, or whose whereabouts have been unknown for two years as a result of an accident, or whose whereabouts have been unknown as a result of an accident which, as certified by the relevant authorities, he/she could not have survived, a materially interested party shall submit an application to the basic-level people's court of the place where the missing citizen is domiciled.
The application shall clearly state the facts and time of the disappearance and the request, and shall be accompanied by a written certificate concerning the disappearance of the said citizen issued by a public security authority or other relevant authorities.
Article 185: After accepting a case concerning the declaration of a citizen as missing or dead, a people's court shall issue a public notice in search of the citizen whose whereabouts are unknown. The period for the notice of declaration of a person as missing shall be three months, and the period for the notice of declaration of a person as dead shall be one year. If the whereabouts of a citizen are unknown as a result of an accident which, as certified by the relevant authorities, the citizen could not have survived, the period of notice for the declaration of the citizen's death shall be three months.
Upon the expiration of the time limit of the public notice, the people's court shall, depending on whether the facts about the absence or death of the person have been confirmed, make a judgment declaring the person missing or dead or make a judgment to reject the application for such a declaration.
Article 186: If a citizen who has been declared missing or dead reappears, the people's court shall, upon the application of that person or a materially interested party, make a new judgment to vacate the original judgment.
Section Four: Cases for the determination of a citizen as having no capacity for civil acts or as having limited capacity for civil acts
Article 187: To apply to have a citizen determined as having no capacity for civil acts or as having limited capacity for civil acts, a close family member of the citizen or another materially interested party shall submit an application to the basic-level people's court of the place where the citizen is domiciled.
The application shall clearly state the facts and grounds on which the citizen's lack of capacity for civil acts or his/her limited capacity for civil acts is asserted.
Article 188: After accepting such an application, the people's court shall, when necessary, carry out a forensic evaluation of the citizen who is requested to be declared as having no capacity for civil acts or having limited capacity for civil acts. If the applicant has already provided a forensic opinion, the people's court shall examine such forensic opinion.
Article 189: When a people's court tries a case for the determining a citizen as having no capacity for civil acts or as having limited capacity for civil acts, a close family member of the citizen, with the exception of the applicant, shall be his/her agent ad litem . If the close family member shifts onto one another the responsibility to act as agent ad litem , the people's court shall appoint one of them as the agent ad litem . If the health of the citizen permits, his/her opinion shall also be solicited.
If, by trying the case, the people's court determines that the application is based on facts, it shall make a judgment determining the citizen to have no capacity for civil acts or to have limited capacity for civil acts. If the people's court determines that the application is not based on facts, it shall make a judgment to reject the application.
Article 190: If, upon the application of a citizen who has been determined to have no capacity for civil acts or to have limited capacity for civil acts or upon the application of such citizen's guardian, a people's court verifies that the cause of that person's lack of capacity for civil acts or limited capacity for civil acts has been eliminated, it shall make a new judgment to vacate the original judgment.
Section Five: Cases on the determination of property as ownerless
Article 191: To apply to have property determined ownerless, a citizen, legal person or other organisation shall submit an application to the basic-level people's court of the place where the property is located.
The application shall clearly state the type and quantity of the property and the grounds on which the request for determination of the property as ownerless is made.
Article 192: After accepting such an application, the people's court shall, upon examination and verification, issue a public notice requesting that the property be claimed. If no one claims the property after one year, the people's court shall make a judgment determining that the property is ownerless, whereupon the property shall become the property of the state or the collective.
Article 193: If, after a property has been determined ownerless by judgment, the owner of the property or his/her/its successor appears, he/she/it may file a claim to the property within the statute of limitation specified in the General Principles for the Civil Law. The people's court shall, after examination and verification, make a new judgment to vacate the original judgment.
Section Six: Mediation settlement agreement confirmation cases
Article 194: To apply for judicial confirmation of a mediation settlement agreement, the parties shall, in accordance with laws such as the People's Mediation Law, jointly submit the application to the basic-level people's court of the place where the mediation organisation is located within 30 days from the date on which the mediation settlement agreement enters into effect.
Article 195: If, after acceptance of the application, the people's court finds, following review, that it complies with the law, it shall rule that the mediation settlement agreement is valid. If a party refuses to perform or fails to fully perform the mediation settlement agreement, the other party may apply to the people's court for enforcement. If the people's court finds that the mediation settlement agreement does not comply with the law, it shall render a ruling dismissing the application, in which case the parties may, through mediation, amend the original mediation settlement agreement or reach a new mediation settlement agreement or, alternatively, institute a legal action in the people's court.
Section Seven: Cases for the realisation of security rights
Article 196: To apply for the realisation of security rights, the security rights holder or another person with the right to claim realisation of the security rights shall, in accordance with laws such as the Property Law, submit the application to the basic-level people's court of the place where the property encumbered by the security is located or the place where the security rights are registered.
Article 197: If, after acceptance of the application, the people's court finds, following review, that it complies with the law, it shall render a ruling ordering the auctioning or selling off of the property encumbered by the security, in which case, a party may, pursuant to the ruling, apply to the people's court for enforcement. If the people's court finds that the application does not comply with the law, it shall render a ruling dismissing it, in which case the party concerned may institute a legal action in the people's court.
Part Sixteen: Procedure for adjudication supervision
Article 198: If the president of a people's court finds that there is indeed an error in a legally effective judgment, ruling or written mediation statement rendered by the court and deems it necessary to have the case retried, he/she shall refer it to the adjudication committee for discussion and decision.
If the Supreme People's Court finds that there is indeed an error in a legally effective judgment, ruling or written mediation statement rendered by a local people's court at any level, or if a people's court at a higher level finds that there is indeed an error in a legally effective judgment, ruling or written mediation statement rendered by a people's court at a lower level, it shall have the power to remove the case for trial itself or instruct the people's court at the lower level to conduct a retrial.
Article 199: If a party is of the opinion that a legally effective judgment or ruling is incorrect, he/she/it may apply for a retrial to the people's court at the next higher level. If the persons constituting a party are numerous or both parties in a case are citizens, they may also apply for a retrial to the people's court that rendered the judgment or ruling. If a party applies for a retrial, enforcement of the judgment or ruling shall not be suspended.
Article 200: If the party's application satisfies any of the following circumstances, the people's court shall retry the case:
(1) there is new evidence sufficient to overturn the original judgment or ruling;
(2) there is a lack of evidence supporting the basic facts established in the original judgment or ruling;
(3) the principal evidence supporting the facts established in the original judgment or ruling was fabricated;
(4) the principal evidence supporting the facts established in the original judgment or ruling was not cross-examined;
(5) the concerned party, not being able to gather the principal evidence required in the trial of the case itself due to objective reasons, applied to the people's court in writing to investigate and gather evidence, but the people's court did not do so;
(6) there genuinely was an error in the application of the law in the original judgment or ruling;
(7) the composition of the trial organisation was unlawful or a member of the adjudication personnel who, in accordance with law, ought to have recused himself/herself, did not do so;
(8) a person with no capacity to engage in litigation was not represented by a statutory agent or a person that ought to have participated in the action did not do so due to a reason not attributable to himself/herself/itself or his/her/its agent ad litem ;
(9) a party's right to defend himself/herself/itself was denied in violation of the law;
(10) a default judgment was rendered without a summons having been issued;
(11) the original judgment or ruling omitted claims or exceeded the claims;
(12) the legal document on the basis of which the original judgment or ruling was rendered has been vacated or modified; or
(13) a member of the adjudication personnel, in the trial of the case, accepted a bribe, practised favouritism by committing fraud or made a judgment that perverted the law.
Article 201: In a case where there is a legally effective written mediation statement, a party may apply for a retrial if he/she/it can present evidence that the mediation violates the principle of voluntary participation or that the content of the mediation agreement violates the law. If the people's court finds the evidence to be true upon examination, it shall retry the case.
Article 202: Parties may not apply for retrials of cases in which a legally effective judgment or written mediation statement has been made to dissolve a marriage.
Article 203: When a party applies for a retrial, he/she/it shall submit materials such as a written retrial application, etc. The people's court shall send a duplicate of the application for a retrial to the other party within five days from the date of receipt thereof. The other party shall submit his/her/its written comments within 15 days from the date of receipt of the duplicate of the application for a retrial. A failure to submit such written comments shall not affect the people's court's examination. The people's court may require the applicant and the other party to supplement the relevant materials and question them about relevant matters.
Article 204: The people's court shall carry out its examination within three months from the date of receipt of the application for a retrial, and if it is found to comply with this Law, it shall render a ruling for a retrial. If the application does not comply with any of the circumstances set forth in this Law, it shall rule to reject the application. If a delay is required due to special circumstances, the approval of the court president shall be required.
A case in which a party has applied for a ruling for a retrial shall be tried by a people's court at the level of intermediate people's court or above unless the party chooses to apply to the basic-level people's court for a retrial in accordance with Article 199 hereof. A case in which the Supreme People's Court or a higher people's court has rendered a ruling for a retrial shall be retried by the court that rendered the ruling, remanded to another people's court for a retrial or remanded to the original people's court for a retrial.
Article 205: If a party applies for a retrial, he/she/it shall file the application within six months after the judgment or ruling became legally effective. If the circumstances specified in Item (1), (3), (12) or (13) of Article 200 hereof applies, the party shall file the application within six months of the date on which he/she/it learnt or ought to have learnt of the matter.
Article 206: In a case where a decision is made in accordance with the procedure for adjudication supervision to retry the case, a ruling shall be made to suspend enforcement of the original judgment, ruling or written mediation statement. However, in cases claiming for alimony, maintenance, child support, benefits of the disabled or survivor, medical expenses, labour remuneration, etc., a decision may be made not to suspend enforcement.
Article 207: Where a case is to be retried by a people's court in accordance with the procedure for adjudication supervision, if the legally effective judgment or ruling was made by a court of first instance, the case shall be retried in accordance with the procedure at first instance, and the parties may appeal against the judgment or ruling made. If the legally effective judgment or ruling was made by a court of second instance, it shall be retried in accordance with the procedure at second instance, and the judgment or ruling made shall be legally effective. If the case was removed for trial by a people's court at a higher level in accordance with the procedure for adjudication supervision, it shall be tried in accordance with the procedure of second instance, and the judgment or ruling made shall be legally effective.
When retrying cases, the people's court shall form a new collegiate bench.
Article 208: If the Supreme People's Procuratorate discovers that any of the circumstances set forth in Article 200 hereof applies to a legally effective judgment or ruling rendered by a people's court at any level, or a people's procuratorate at a higher level discovers that any of the circumstances set forth in Article 200 hereof applies to a legally effective judgment or ruling rendered by a people's court at a lower level, or if either of them discovers that a written mediation statement prejudices state interests or the public interest, it shall lodge a protest.
If a local people's procuratorate at any level discovers that any of the circumstances specified in Article 200 hereof applies to a legally effective judgment or ruling rendered by a people's court at the same level or that a written mediation statement prejudices state interests or the public interest, it may lodge a procuratorial recommendation with the people's court at the same level and report the same to the people's procuratorate at a higher level for the record; or, alternatively, it may petition the people's procuratorate at a higher level to lodge a protest with the people's court at the same level.
With respect to a violation of the law by a member of the adjudication personnel in a trial procedure beyond the scope of the procedure for adjudication supervision, a people's procuratorate at any level has the authority to lodge a procuratorial recommendation with the people's court at the same level.
Article 209: A party may apply to the people's procuratorate for a procuratorial recommendation or protest if:
(1) a people's court has dismissed his/her/its application for a retrial;
(2) the people's court has failed to render a ruling in respect of his/her/its retrial application by the prescribed deadline; or
(3) the retrial judgment or ruling is clearly incorrect.
The people's procuratorate shall conduct a review of the party's application and render its decision on whether to lodge a procuratorial recommendation/protest or not within three months. A party may not again apply to the people's procuratorate for a procuratorial recommendation or protest.
Article 210: If a people's procuratorate needs to lodge a procuratorial recommendation or protest in the performance of its legal supervision duties, it may investigate and verify relevant matters with the parties or with persons not involved in the case.
Article 211: In a case where the people's procuratorate lodges a protest, the people's court that received the protest shall render a ruling for a retrial within 30 days from the date of receipt of the written protest. If any of the circumstances set forth in Items (1) to (5) of Article 200 hereof applies, the case may be remanded to the people's court at the next lower level for a retrial, unless the case has been retried by the people's court at the next lower level.
Article 212: When a people's procuratorate decides to lodge a protest against a judgment, ruling or written mediation statement rendered by a people's court, it shall prepare a written protest.
Article 213: When retrying a case against which a people's procuratorate has lodged a protest, a people's court shall notify the people's procuratorate that it should send personnel to appear in court.
Part Seventeen: Procedure for the recovery of debts
Article 214: When a creditor requests payment of money or delivery of a negotiable instrument from a debtor, he/she/it may apply to the competent basic-level people's court for a payment order provided that:
(1) the creditor and the debtor are not involved in any other dispute over obligations; and
(2) the payment order can be served on the debtor.
The written application shall clearly state the requested amount of money or quantity of the negotiable instruments and the facts and evidence on the basis of which the application is made.
Article 215: A people's court shall, within five days after a creditor has submitted his/her/its application, notify the creditor whether it has accepted the case.
Article 216: After accepting an application for a payment order, a people's court, having found the relationship of debtor and creditor to be definite and lawful upon examination of the facts and evidence presented by the creditor, shall issue a payment order to the debtor within 15 days from the date of acceptance of the application. If the application is untenable, a ruling shall be made to reject it.
The debtor shall, within 15 days from the date of receipt of the payment order, settle his/her/its debt or submit a written objection to the people's court.
If the debtor neither submits an objection nor performs the payment order within the time limit specified in the preceding paragraph, the creditor may apply to the people's court for enforcement.
Article 217: If, after receipt of a written objection submitted by the debtor, the people's court finds, following review, that the objection is tenable, it shall rule to terminate the procedure for recovery of a debt, whereupon the payment order shall automatically become void.
When a payment order becomes void, the case shall move into a litigation procedure, unless the party that applied for the payment order does not agree to the institution of a legal action.
Part Eighteen: Procedure for public invitation to assert claims
Article 218: If a negotiable instrument that provisions permit to be assigned by endorsement is stolen, lost, or destroyed, its holder may apply for a public invitation to assert claims to the basic-level people's court of the place where payment on the negotiable instrument is to be made. This Part shall apply to other matters for which, according to the law, applications may be submitted for a public invitation to assert claims.
An applicant shall submit to the people's court a written application clearly stating the main particulars of the negotiable instrument such as its face amount, drawer, holder and endorser, and the reasons and facts pertaining to the application.
Article 219: When a people's court decides to accept an application, it shall simultaneously notify the drawee that he/she/it should suspend payment, and within three days issue a public notice to invite materially interested parties to assert their claims. The period of the public invitation to assert claims shall be decided by the people's court according to the circumstances, provided that it shall not be less than 60 days.
Article 220: Upon receipt of a notice from the people's court to suspend payment, the drawee shall act accordingly until the conclusion of the procedure for public invitation to assert claims.
During the period of the public invitation to assert claims, any act relating to the assignment of rights in the negotiable instrument shall be invalid.
Article 221: Materially interested parties shall submit an application to the people's court during the period of the public invitation to assert claims.
After receiving an application from a materially interested party, the people's court shall rule to conclude the procedure for public invitation to assert claims, and shall notify the applicant and the drawee.
The applicant or the claimant may institute an action in the people's court.
Article 222: If no party asserts claims, the people's court shall make a judgment to declare the negotiable instrument void on the basis of the application of the applicant. Judgment shall be pronounced in a public notice, and the drawee shall be notified of it. As from the date of public pronouncement of the judgment, the applicant shall have the right to claim payment from the drawee.
Article 223: If a materially interested party was unable for proper cause to report to the people's court prior to judgment, he/she/it shall, within one year from the day he/she/it knew or ought to have known of the public announcement of the judgment, institute an action at the people's court that made the judgment.
Part Nineteen: General provisions
Article 224: Enforcement of a legally effective civil judgment or ruling, or the property portion of a criminal judgment or ruling shall be carried out by the people's court of first instance or by the people's court, at the same level as the people's court of first instance, where the property subjected to enforcement is located.
Other legal documents that shall be enforced by the people's courts as provided for by law shall be enforced by the people's court of the place where the person subjected to enforcement is domiciled or where the property subjected to enforcement is located.
Article 225: If a concerned party or materially interested party is of the opinion that the enforcement is in violation of the law, he/she/it may file a written objection with the people's court responsible for the enforcement. If the concerned party or materially interested party files a written objection, the people's court shall conduct an examination within 15 days from the date of receipt of such objection, and if the grounds are tenable, it shall rule to cancel or correct the enforcement. If the grounds are untenable, it shall rule to reject the objection. If a concerned party or materially interested party is dissatisfied with the ruling, he/she/it may apply to the people's court at the next higher level for review within 10 days from the date of service of the ruling.
Article 226: If a people's court has not carried out enforcement within six months from the date of receipt of the application for enforcement, the applicant for enforcement may apply to the people's court at the next higher level for enforcement. Once it has completed its examination, the people's court at the next higher level may order the original people's court to carry out the enforcement within a specified period of time, or carry out the enforcement itself or order another people's court to carry out the enforcement.
Article 227: If, in the course of enforcement, a person not involved in the case files a written objection in respect of the subject matter of the enforcement, the people's court shall conduct an examination within 15 days from the date of receipt of the written objection, and if the grounds are tenable, shall rule to suspend enforcement against the subject matter. If the grounds are untenable, it shall rule to reject the objection. If the person not involved in the case or the concerned party is dissatisfied with the ruling, and is of the opinion that the original judgment or ruling was erroneous, he/she/it shall handle matters in accordance with the procedure for the monitoring of trials. If his/her/its dissatisfaction is unrelated to the original judgment or ruling, he/she/it may institute a legal action in a people's court within 15 days from the date of service of the ruling.
Article 228: Enforcement shall be carried out by enforcement officers.
An enforcement officer shall show his/her credentials when taking enforcement measures. After enforcement is completed, a record shall be made of its particulars, which shall be signed and stamped by the persons present.
A people's court may, as required, establish an enforcement organisation.
Article 229: If the person or the property subjected to enforcement is in another locality, the people's court of that locality may be entrusted with enforcement. The entrusted people's court must commence enforcement within 15 days after receipt of the letter of entrustment and shall not refuse to comply. After enforcement is completed, the entrusted people's court shall reply to the entrusting people's court by letter in a timely manner, setting forth the result of the enforcement. If enforcement is not completed within 30 days, the entrusted people's court shall also inform the entrusting people's court by letter of the particulars of enforcement.
If the entrusted people's court does not enforce the judgment or ruling within 15 days from the date of receipt of the letter of entrustment, the entrusting people's court may request the people's court one level higher than the entrusted people's court to instruct it to enforce the judgment or ruling.
Article 230: If, in the course of enforcement, the parties reach a settlement agreement themselves, the enforcement officer shall make a record of the contents of the agreement and both parties shall sign or stamp such record.
If the applicant for enforcement reaches a settlement agreement with the person subjected to enforcement due to fraud or coercion, or a party fails to perform the settlement agreement, the people's court may, pursuant to an application by the party concerned, resume enforcement of the original legally effective document.
Article 231: If, in the course of enforcement, the person subjected to enforcement provides security to the people's court, the people's court may decide to stay the enforcement and decide the term of such stay, subject to the consent of the person applying for enforcement. If the person subjected to enforcement fails to perform within the specified term, the people's court shall have the power to enforce the judgment or ruling against the security provided by the person subjected to enforcement or the property of his/her/its guarantor.
Article 232: When a citizen subjected to enforcement dies, his/her debts shall be repaid from his/her estate. When the business of a legal person or another organisation subjected to enforcement is terminated, the person that inherits its rights and obligations shall perform the obligation.
Article 233: If, after enforcement is completed, an error is discovered in a judgment, ruling or other legal document on which enforcement is based and such judgment, ruling or other legal document is vacated by the people's court, the people's court shall make a ruling ordering the person who has obtained property subjected to enforcement to return the property. If such person refuses to return the property, the ruling ordering the return of the property shall be enforced.
Article 234: This Division shall apply to the enforcement of written mediation statements prepared by a people's court.
Article 235: A people's procuratorate shall have the authority to effect legal supervision of civil enforcement activities.
Part Twenty: Application for and referral of enforcement
Article 236: Parties must perform civil judgments or rulings that have become legally effective. If a party refuses to perform a ruling or judgment, the other party may apply to the people's court for enforcement. Alternatively, a judge may refer such judgment or ruling to an enforcement officer for enforcement.
The parties must perform any written mediation statement or other legal document that is enforceable by the people's courts. If a party refuses to perform such a document, the other party may apply to the people's court for enforcement.
Article 237: If a party fails to perform an award of an arbitration institution established according to law, the other party may apply for enforcement to the competent people's court. The people's court to which an application is made shall enforce the award.
If the party against whom the application is made presents evidence that proves that the arbitral award involves any of the following circumstances, the people's court shall, after examination and verification by a collegiate bench formed by the people's court, rule to deny enforcement:
(1) the parties have neither included an arbitration clause in their contract, nor subsequently reached a written arbitration agreement;
(2) matters decided in the award exceed the scope of the arbitration agreement or are beyond the arbitral authority of the arbitration institution;
(3) the composition of the arbitral tribunal or the arbitration procedure did not conform to statutory procedure;
(4) the evidence on the basis of which the award is rendered was fabricated;
(5) the other party withholds from the arbitration institution evidence sufficient to affect the rendering of an impartial award; or
(6) the arbitrator(s), in the hearing of the arbitration case, accepted a bribe, practised favouritism by committing fraud or made a judgment that perverted the law.
If the people's court determines that the enforcement of the award would be against the public interest, it shall rule to deny enforcement.
The written ruling shall be served on both parties and on the arbitration institution.
If a people's court rules to deny enforcement of an arbitral award, a party may, in accordance with the written arbitration agreement between the two parties, re-apply to the arbitration institution for arbitration or institute an action in a people's court.
Article 238: If a party fails to perform his/her/its obligations pursuant to a document that has been lawfully rendered enforceable by a notary public, the other party may apply to the competent people's court for enforcement. The people's court to which the application is made shall enforce the document.
If a notarised document of obligation contains an error, the people's court shall rule to deny enforcement and shall serve the written ruling on both parties and on the notary public.
Article 239: The period for applying for enforcement shall be two years. The tolling or suspension of the statute of limitations for applying for enforcement shall be governed by the provisions of applicable laws on the tolling and suspension of the statute of limitations for actions.
The period specified in the preceding paragraph shall commence to count from the last day of the performance period specified in the legal document. If the legal document specifies that performance is to occur in stages, a period shall commence to count from the last day of each specified performance period. If the legal document is silent on a performance period, the period shall commence to count from the date on which the legal document entered into effect.
Article 240: Upon receiving an application for enforcement or a document for referral of enforcement, an enforcement officer shall send a notice of enforcement to the person subjected to enforcement and may immediately take enforcement measures.
Part Twenty-one: Enforcement measures
Article 241: If the person subjected to enforcement fails to perform the obligations determined in the legal document in accordance with the enforcement notice, he/she/it shall report the details of his/her/its property at present and for the year preceding the date of receipt of the enforcement notice. If the person subjected to enforcement refuses to report or submits a false report, the people's court may, depending on the seriousness of the circumstances, fine and detain the person subjected to enforcement, or his/her statutory agent, or the main person in charge or directly responsible persons of the relevant entity.
Article 242: If a person subjected to enforcement fails to perform the obligations specified in the legal document in accordance with the enforcement notice, the people's court shall have the authority to make inquiries about property of the person subjected to enforcement such as deposits, bonds, stocks and fund shares with relevant entities. Depending on the circumstances, the people's court shall have the authority to seize, freeze, appropriate or sell off the property of the person subjected to enforcement. The property inquired about, seized, frozen, appropriated or sold off by a people's court may not exceed the scope of the obligations that the person subjected to enforcement is required to perform.
When it decides to seize, freeze, appropriate or sell off property, a people's court shall make a ruling and issue a notice requesting assistance in enforcement, which must be complied with by relevant entities.
Article 243: If a person subjected to enforcement fails to perform the obligation specified in the legal document in accordance with the notice of enforcement, the people's court shall have the power to withhold or garnish a portion of the revenue of the person subjected to enforcement that is sufficient to cover the obligation he/she should perform, provided that such measures leave enough revenue to cover the necessary living expenses of the person subjected to enforcement and of his/her dependants.
When deciding to withhold or garnish revenue, a people's court shall make a ruling and issue a notice requesting assistance with enforcement. Such notice must be complied with by the entity of the person subjected to enforcement, banks, credit cooperatives and other savings entities.
Article 244: If a person subjected to enforcement fails to perform the obligations specified in the legal document in accordance with the notice of enforcement, the people's court shall have the power to seal up, seize, freeze, auction off or sell off a portion of the property of the person subjected to enforcement sufficient to cover the obligations that the person should perform, provided that such action does not deprive the person subjected to enforcement and his/her dependents of daily necessities.
When adopting any of the foregoing measures, a people's court shall make a ruling.
Article 245: When a people's court seals up or seizes property and the person subjected to enforcement is a citizen, the court shall notify the person subjected to enforcement or an adult member of his/her family that he/she should attend the scene. If the person subjected to enforcement is a legal person or another organisation, the court shall notify the legal representative or principally responsible person of the person subjected to enforcement that he/she should attend the scene. Refusal on the part of the notified person to attend the scene shall not affect the enforcement. If the person subjected to enforcement is a citizen, his/her entity or the basic-level organisation in the place where his/her property is located shall send representatives to attend the enforcement.
An enforcement officer must prepare a list of the property sealed up or seized. A copy of the list shall be delivered to the person subjected to enforcement after the persons present at the scene have signed and stamped the list. If the person subjected to enforcement is a citizen, his/her copy may alternatively be delivered to an adult member of his/her family.
Article 246: An enforcement officer may designate the person subjected to enforcement to take custody of the property sealed up. The person subjected to enforcement shall bear any losses incurred due to his/her/its fault.
Article 247: If the person subjected to enforcement fails to perform such obligations by the prescribed deadline, the people's court shall auction the property that has been placed under seal or seized. If the property is not suitable for auction or the parties agree that it not be auctioned off, the people's court may appoint a relevant entity to sell the same off or sell the same off itself.
Article 248: If a person subjected to enforcement fails to perform the obligations specified in the legal document and conceals property, the people's court shall have the power to issue a search warrant and to search the place of residence of the person subjected to enforcement or the place where the property is concealed.
The president of the court shall issue a search warrant when adopting any of the foregoing measures.
Article 249: Where a legal document stipulates that property or a negotiable instrument must be delivered, the enforcement officer shall either summon both parties before him/her to effect delivery or deliver the item himself/herself. The person taking delivery shall sign for receipt.
If the relevant entity is holding such property or negotiable instrument, it shall deliver the item in accordance with the notice requesting assistance with enforcement issued by the people's court and the person taking delivery shall sign for receipt.
If the citizen concerned is holding such property or negotiable instrument, the people's court shall order him/her to release the item. If he/she refuses to do so, the people's court shall enforce such release.
Article 250: To evict a person subjected to enforcement from a house or a piece of land, the president of a people's court shall issue a public notice to order him/her to perform within the specified time limit. If the person subjected to enforcement fails to perform within the specified time limit, an enforcement officer shall enforce the order.
At the time of eviction, if the person subjected to enforcement is a citizen, he/she or an adult member of his/her family shall be notified that he/she should attend the scene. If the person subjected to enforcement is a legal person or another organisation, the legal representative or the head of the organisation subjected to enforcement shall be notified that he/she should attend the scene. Refusal on the part of the notified person to attend the scene shall not affect the enforcement. If the person subjected to enforcement is a citizen, his/her entity or the basic-level organisation of the place where the house or land is located shall send representatives to attend the enforcement. The enforcement officer shall make a record of the particulars of the enforcement, which shall be signed or stamped by the persons at the scene.
The people's court shall send personnel to transport the property removed from the house from which the person subjected to enforcement was evicted to a designated location for delivery to the person subjected to enforcement. If such person is a citizen, such property and belongings may also be delivered to an adult member of his/her family. The person subjected to enforcement shall bear any losses arising from the refusal to accept the property and belongings on the part of himself/herself/itself or the adult member of his/her family.
Article 251: If procedures for the transfer of title deeds must be carried out in the course of enforcement, the people's court may issue a notice requesting assistance with enforcement to the relevant entities, which must comply with such notice.
Article 252: If a person subjected to enforcement fails to perform the act specified in a judgment, ruling or other legal document in accordance with the notice of enforcement, the people's court may compel performance or entrust a relevant entity or other person with such performance, at the expense of the person subjected to enforcement.
Article 253: If a person subjected to enforcement fails to perform his/her/its obligations to pay within the time limit specified in a judgment, ruling or other legal document, he/she/it shall pay twice the amount of interest on the debt for the period during which the performance is deferred. If a person subjected to enforcement fails to perform any other obligations within the time limit specified in a judgment, ruling or other legal document, he/she/it shall pay a fine for deferred performance.
Article 254: If a person subjected to enforcement is still unable to repay his/her/its debts after a people's court has adopted any of the enforcement measures provided for in Articles 242, 243 and 244 hereof, he/she/it shall continue to perform his/her/its obligations. If a creditor finds that the person subjected to enforcement has other property, he/she/it may request enforcement by the people's court at any time.
Article 255: If the person subjected to enforcement fails to perform the obligations determined in the legal document, the people's court may take or notify the relevant entity to assist it in taking measures such as restricting him/her from going abroad, recording in the credit system and publishing in the media information on his/her/its failure to perform his/her/its obligations and other measures specified in laws.
Part Twenty-two: Suspension and termination of enforcement
Article 256: Under any of the following circumstances, the people's court may rule to suspend enforcement:
(1) the applicant indicates that the enforcement may be deferred;
(2) a person who is not a participant in the case raises an objection on reasonable grounds with respect to the subject matter of the enforcement;
(3) a citizen, being one of the parties, dies and it is necessary to wait for his/her successor to succeed to his/her rights or to assume his/her obligations;
(4) a legal person or another organisation, being one of the parties, is terminated and the person that will inherit to its rights and obligations has not yet been determined; or
(5) other circumstances which the people's court deems to call for suspension of enforcement.
Enforcement shall be resumed when the circumstances calling for suspension of enforcement cease.
Article 257: Under any of the following circumstances, a people's court shall rule to terminate enforcement:
(1) the applicant withdraws his/her/its application;
(2) the legal document on which the enforcement is based is vacated;
(3) the person subjected to enforcement is a citizen, who dies without an estate against which enforcement can be effected and without a person to assume his/her obligations;
(4) the person who has the right to claim payment of overdue alimony, maintenance or child support dies;
(5) the person subjected to enforcement is a citizen who has lost his/her ability to work and is unable to repay a loan due to poor financial circumstances and lack of a source of revenue; or
(6) other circumstances occur that the people's court deems to require the termination of enforcement.
Article 258: A ruling of suspension or termination of enforcement shall become effective immediately after it has been served on the parties.
Part Twenty-three: General provisions
Article 259: This Division shall apply to civil actions within the territory of the People's Republic of China involving foreign parties. For matters not addressed in this Division, the other relevant provisions of this Law shall apply.
Article 260: If an international treaty that the People's Republic of China has concluded or acceded to contains provisions that are inconsistent with this Law, the provisions of the international treaty shall prevail, except for those provisions to which the People's Republic of China has declared its reservations.
Article 261: Civil actions instituted against foreigners, foreign organisations or international organisations that enjoy diplomatic privileges and immunities shall be handled in accordance with the relevant laws of the People's Republic of China and the relevant international treaties concluded or acceded to by the People's Republic of China.
Article 262: When trying foreign-related civil cases, a people's court shall use the written and spoken language commonly used in the People's Republic of China. At the request of a concerned party, translation may be provided at the expense of such party.
Article 263: If a foreigner, stateless person, foreign enterprise or foreign organisation that sues or is sued in a people's court is required to appoint a lawyer as his/her/its agent ad litem , he/she/it must entrust a lawyer of the People's Republic of China.
Article 264: When a foreigner, stateless person, foreign enterprise or foreign organisation without a domicile within the territory of the People's Republic of China appoints a lawyer or another person of the People's Republic of China as his/her/its agent ad litem , the power of attorney sent or forwarded from outside the territory of the People's Republic of China shall become effective only after it has been notarised by a notary public of his/her/its state and either has been authenticated by the embassy or a consulate of the People's Republic of China in that state or certification procedures provided for in the relevant treaty between the People's Republic of China and that state have been carried out.
Part Twenty-four: Jurisdiction
Article 265: Where an action is instituted against a defendant without a domicile inside the territory of the People's Republic of China concerning a dispute over a contract or rights and interests in property, if the contract was executed or performed within the territory of the People's Republic of China, or the subject matter of the action is located within the territory of the People's Republic of China, or the defendant has seizable property within the territory of the People's Republic of China, or the defendant maintains a representative office within the territory of the People's Republic of China, the action may come under the jurisdiction of the people's court of the place where the contract was executed, the place where the contract was performed, the place where the subject matter of the action is located, the place where the seizable property is located, the place where the tort was committed or the place where the representative office is domiciled.
Article 266: An action instituted for a dispute arising from the performance in the People's Republic of China of a Sino-foreign equity joint venture contract, a Sino-foreign cooperative joint venture contract or a contract for Sino-foreign cooperative exploration and development of natural resources shall come under the jurisdiction of the people's courts of the People's Republic of China.
Part Twenty-five: Service and time periods
Article 267: A people's court may serve procedural documents on a party without a domicile within the territory of the People's Republic of China in the following ways:
(1) service in the way specified in an international treaty concluded between or acceded to by the state of the person being served and the People's Republic of China;
(2) service through diplomatic channels;
(3) if the person being served is a national of the People's Republic of China, entrustment of the embassy or a consulate of the People's Republic of China in the state where such person is located with service on its behalf;
(4) service on the agent ad litem appointed by the person being served and authorised to accept service on his/her/its behalf;
(5) service on the representative office, or the branch or business agent authorised to accept service, established within the territory of the People's Republic of China by the person being served;
(6) service by post, if permitted by the law of the state of the person being served. If the acknowledgment of service is not returned within three months from the date of posting, but various circumstances justify the assumption that the documents have been served, the documents shall be deemed to have been served on the date of expiry of the time limit;
(7) service by fax, e-mail or other means that permits confirmation of receipt by the person being served; or
(8) if the documents cannot be served by any of the above methods, service may be effected by public announcement. The documents shall be deemed to have been served when three months have elapsed since the date of the public announcement.
Article 268: If a defendant does not have a domicile within the territory of the People's Republic of China, the people's court shall serve a duplicate of the complaint on the defendant and notify the defendant that he/she/it should submit a response within 30 days of receipt of the duplicate of the complaint. If the defendant applies for an extension of the time limit, the people's court shall decide on the application.
Article 269: If a party without a domicile within the territory of the People's Republic of China disagrees with the judgment or ruling rendered by the people's court of first instance, he/she/it shall have the right to lodge an appeal within 30 days from the date on which the judgment or ruling is served. The respondent shall file a response within 30 days after the date of receipt of the duplicate of the appeal petition. If a party is unable to lodge an appeal or to submit a response within the statutory time limit and applies for an extension of the time limit, the people's court shall decide on the application.
Article 270: The period for the trial by the people's court of civil cases involving foreign parties shall not be subject to the restrictions of Articles 149 and 176 hereof.
Part Twenty-six: Arbitration
Article 271: Where disputes that arise from economic, trade, transport or maritime activities involve foreign parties, if the parties have included an arbitration clause in their contract or subsequently reach a written arbitration agreement that provides that such disputes shall be submitted for arbitration to an arbitration institution of the People's Republic of China for foreign-related disputes or to another arbitration institution, no party may institute an action in a people's court.
If the parties have neither included an arbitration clause in their contract nor subsequently reached a written arbitration agreement, an action may be instituted in a people's court.
Article 272: If a party applies for preservation, the arbitration institution of the People's Republic of China for foreign-related disputes shall submit the application to the intermediate people's court of the place where the domicile of the respondent is located or where the property is located.
Article 273: After an award has been made by an arbitration institution of the People's Republic of China for foreign-related disputes, no party may institute an action in a people's court. If a party fails to perform the arbitral award, the other party may apply for enforcement to the intermediate people's court of the place where the domicile of the person against whom an application is made is located or where the property is located.
Article 274: If the respondent presents evidence that proves that the arbitral award made by an arbitration institution of the People's Republic of China for foreign-related disputes involves any of the following circumstances, the people's court shall, after examination and verification by a collegiate bench formed by the people's court, rule to deny enforcement of the award:
(1) the parties have neither included an arbitration clause in their contract nor subsequently reached a written arbitration agreement;
(2) the respondent was not requested to appoint an arbitrator or take part in the arbitration proceedings or the person was unable to state his/her/its opinions due to reasons not attributable to him/her/it;
(3) the composition of the arbitration tribunal or the arbitration procedure was not in conformity with the rules of arbitration; or
(4) matters decided in the award exceed the scope of the arbitration agreement or are beyond the arbitral authority of the arbitration institution.
If the people's court determines that the enforcement of the said award would be against public interest, it shall rule to deny enforcement.
Article 275: If a people's court rules to deny enforcement of an arbitral award, a party may, in accordance with a written arbitration agreement between the two parties, re-apply to the arbitration institution for arbitration, or institute an action in a people's court.
Part Twenty-seven: Judicial assistance
Article 276: Pursuant to international treaties concluded or acceded to by the People's Republic of China or in accordance with the principle of reciprocity, people's courts and foreign courts may request mutual assistance in the service of legal documents, investigation, collection of evidence, and other acts in connection with litigation, on each other's behalf.
If any matter in which a foreign court requests assistance would harm the sovereignty, security or public interest of the People's Republic of China, the people's court shall refuse to comply with the request.
Article 277: The request for and provision of judicial assistance shall be conducted through the channels stipulated in the international treaties concluded or acceded to by the People's Republic of China. Where no treaty relations exist, the request for and provision of judicial assistance shall be conducted through diplomatic channels.
The embassy or a consulate in the People's Republic of China of a foreign state may serve documents on, investigate, and take evidence from its citizens, provided that the law of the People's Republic of China is not violated and that no enforcement measures are adopted.
Except for the circumstances set forth in the preceding paragraph, no foreign agency or individual may, without the consent of the competent authorities of the People's Republic of China, serve documents, carry out an investigation or collect evidence within the territory of the People's Republic of China.
Article 278: The letter of request for judicial assistance and its annexes submitted to a people's court by a foreign court shall be accompanied by a Chinese translation or a text in another language as specified in the relevant international treaty.
The letter of request for judicial assistance and its annexes submitted to a foreign court by a people's court shall be accompanied by a translation in the language of that state or a text in another language as specified in the relevant international treaty.
Article 279: The judicial assistance provided by a people's court shall be carried out in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the law of the People's Republic of China. If a special method is requested by a foreign court, judicial assistance may also be provided using the special method requested, provided that such special method is not inconsistent with the law of the People's Republic of China.
Article 280: If a party applies for enforcement of a legally effective judgment or ruling made by a people's court and the party subjected to enforcement or his/her/its property is not located within the territory of the People's Republic of China, the applicant may directly apply for recognition and enforcement to the competent foreign court. Alternatively, the people's court may, pursuant to an international treaty concluded or acceded to by the People's Republic of China or in accordance with the principle of reciprocity, request the foreign court to recognise and enforce the judgment or ruling.
If a party applies for enforcement of a legally effective arbitral award made by an arbitration institution of the People's Republic of China for foreign-related disputes and the party subjected to enforcement or his/her/its property is not located within the territory of the People's Republic of China, it shall directly apply for recognition and enforcement to the competent foreign court.
Article 281: If a legally effective judgment or ruling made by a foreign court requires recognition and enforcement by a people's court of the People's Republic of China, the party concerned may directly apply for recognition and enforcement to the competent intermediate people's court of the People's Republic of China. Alternatively, the foreign court may, pursuant to the provisions of an international treaty concluded between or acceded to by the foreign state and the People's Republic of China, or in accordance with the principle of reciprocity, request the people's court to recognise and enforce the judgment or ruling.
Article 282: Having received an application or a request for recognition and enforcement of a legally effective judgment or ruling of a foreign court, a people's court shall review such judgment or ruling pursuant to international treaties concluded or acceded to by the People's Republic of China or in accordance with the principle of reciprocity. If, upon such review, the people's court considers that such judgment or ruling neither contradicts the basic principles of the law of the People's Republic of China nor violates state sovereignty, security and the public interest, it shall rule to recognise its effectiveness. If enforcement is necessary, it shall issue an order of enforcement, which shall be implemented in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Law. If such judgment or ruling contradicts the basic principles of the law of the People's Republic of China or violates state sovereignty, security or the public interest, the people's court shall refuse to recognise and enforce the judgment or ruling.
Article 283: If an award made by a foreign arbitration institution must be recognised and enforced by a people's court of the People's Republic of China, the party concerned shall directly apply to the intermediate people's court of the place where the party subjected to enforcement is domiciled or where his/her/its property is located. The people's court shall handle the matter pursuant to international treaties concluded or acceded to by the People's Republic of China or in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.
Article 284: This Law shall be effective as of the date of promulgation. The PRC Civil Procedure Law (Trial Implementation) shall be repealed simultaneously.
Click here to see analysis of the PRC Civil Procedure Law (中华人民共和国民事诉讼法)
clp reference:1420/12.08.31prc reference:中华人民共和国主席令 (十一届第59号)promulgated:2012-08-31effective:2013-01-01This premium content is reserved for
China Law & Practice Subscribers.
A Premium Subscription Provides:
- A database of over 3,000 essential documents including key PRC legislation translated into English
- A choice of newsletters to alert you to changes affecting your business including sector specific updates
- Premium access to the mobile optimized site for timely analysis that guides you through China's ever-changing business environment
Already a subscriber? Log In Now