This groundbreaking book examines the changing Chinese legal system since 1978. In addition to historical analyses of changes at the economic, political-legal, and social levels, Liang gives special attention to crime and punishment functions of the legal system, and the current judicial system based on field research, i.e., court observations in both Beijing and Chengdu. The court system has been in a process of systemization, both internally and externally, seeking more power and relative independence. However, traditional influences, such as preference of mediation (over litigation) and substantive justice (over procedural justice), and lack of respect (from the masses) and guaranteed power (from the political structure), still have major impacts on the building and operation of the judicial system. Liang also shrewdly places the Chinese legal and political reform within the global system. This book, which reshapes our understanding of the economic, political, and essentially legal changes in China within the global context, will be crucial reading for scholars of Asia, law, criminal justice, and sociology.

This groundbreaking book reshapes our understanding of the economic, political, and legal changes in China since 1978 within the global context and is crucial reading for scholars of Asia, law, criminology, and sociology.

The Thirty years since China s reform and opening have been very eventful for the country s legal reforms, and this volume presents a multi-disciplinary look at the current scholarship going on in China on the subject. The articles have been translated into English to assist scholars worldwide in understanding China s recent legal history and also to help familiarize them with the currents of contemporary Chinese scholarship. Individual subjects include commercial law, the evolving relationship between the Chinese government and its citizens, administrative law and criminal justice. There are also chapters on newly emerging areas of the law that are crucial to China s future development, such as the chapters on environmental law and intellectual property. The volume also includes a chapter on legal education and the legal profession, judicial reform and the development of law to protect the rights of the disadvantaged.

This timely collection presents articles written by Chinese and Western authors on law reform in the People's Republic of China from its beginning in 1978 until the present day. The first part presents differing perspectives on the history of law reform. Separate sections are devoted to core institutions: the Constitution, the legislature, administrative law, courts, criminal process, the legal profession, extra-judicial dispute resolution and citizen petitions. Alongside an original introduction the book will be of interest to readers with specialized interests in Chinese law but also to anyone interested in China's governance.

The legal system of the People's Republic of China has seen significant changes since legal reforms began in 1978. At the end of the second decade of legal reform, law-making and institution-building have reached impressive levels. Understanding the operation and possible futures of law in the People's Republic of China requires an appreciation of the normative influences on the system, as well as an examination of how these norms have worked in practice.

Presents new insights into recent changes in China's legal framework in areas crucial to the modernisation process. Topics include law reform to accommodate foreign interests and convert China to a market economy, the judicial system and its treatment of human rights issues, the introduction of non-tariff barriers for foreign companies, and the current privatisation process.

China’s legal system has drawn ever more attention from the international community. It has been developing at a very significant pace since China carried out economic reform and instituted an “open door” policy in 1978.China’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) has had a tremendous impact on the development and reform of China’s legal system. This book focuses on the recent developments of China’s legal system as well as its reform in the context of globalization. It covers various hot and timely topics, including constitutional changes, the relationship between the Chinese Communist Party and the law, legislation, law-based administration, laws for anti-corruption campaigns, judicial reform, legal education and China’s compliance with international law. The book is suitable for lawyers, whether practicing or academic, officials in national governments and international organizations and students and scholars in academia, who are interested in China, Chinese law, comparative and international law.