The Recently Amended PRC Civil Procedure Law

Background

The PRC Civil Procedure Law (the "CPL") was recently amended during the 28th Session of the Standing Committee of the 11th National People's Congress on 31 August 2012 and the amendments came into effect on 1 January 2013. The CPL is arguably China's most significant piece of legislation governing civil procedure. Since the CPL came into effect on a trial basis in 1982, it has undergone two subsequent amendments in 1991 and 2007 respectively. This is the third major amendment to the CPL since its enactment.

The new amendments are aimed at offering better protection of the litigants' rights, simplifying the litigation process and addressing difficulties in enforcement in order to ensure accessibility to justice, fairness and efficiency.