Functions of the Supreme People's Court in Transition

Abstract

The Supreme Court is the highest judicial organ in Chinese court system which consists of four levels: basic courts, intermediate courts, high courts and the Supreme Court. Its function not only covers (1) judicature of criminal, civil, administrative cases as the 2nd instance trial and retrial, and (2) examination and approval of all death penalties, but a unique function of legal interpretation, which is called “judicial interpretation”, which is commonly binding to courts of all country. Furthermore, as a political organ and the administration of justice, the Supreme Court strongly influence the national courts by issuing various regulations of new policy of justice, valuation of courts, and judicial reforms.