In China and according to the Organic Law of the People’s Courts, judicial powers are exercised by the courts at four levels:
(i) Basic People’s Court: Courts at the county or district level. Tribunals may also be established in accordance with local practice;
(ii) Intermediate People’s Court: Prefecture level courts;
(iii) Higher People’s Court: Provincial level courts.
(iv) The Supreme People’s Court: the highest court in the judicial system located in Beijing. The court is directly responsible to the NPC and its Standing Committee. The court supervises the administration of justice by the People’s Courts at various levels. Additionally, the court provides interpretations of law which play an important role in the application of law and which act as guidelines for trials in China.
Continue Reading An Introduction to China’s Judicial System: the Courts