Law of the People's Republic of China

The body of legislation, regulations, judicial interpretations, and other legal rules governing the People’s Republic of China. It operates within a socialist legal system led by the Communist Party of China.

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Constitution of the People's Republic of China: The supreme legal document defining the state’s institutions, principles, and fundamental rights. It establishes the formal framework against which other Chinese laws are organized.
Legislation Law of the People's Republic of China: A statute that sets rules for enacting, amending, and interpreting Chinese legislation. It defines the authority and procedures behind the system’s hierarchy of legal norms.
Civil Code of the People's Republic of China: China’s comprehensive statute governing civil relationships, including property, contracts, family, and torts. It supplies the central rules for private rights and obligations.
Common law: A legal tradition in which judicial decisions serve as a major source of law and precedent. It contrasts with China's predominantly statute-based formal sources and limited role for binding precedent.
National People's Congress: China’s national legislature and highest organ of state power. It enacts statutes and exercises constitutional powers at the center of the legal system.
Administrative regulation: A rule issued by an executive authority under powers granted by law. The State Council uses this form to implement statutes and regulate national administration.
Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China: China’s principal statute defining crimes, criminal responsibility, and penalties. It specifies which conduct the state may prosecute and punish.
Civil law (legal system): A legal tradition organized chiefly around written codes and statutes. It offers a useful comparison for China's emphasis on enacted legislation, despite distinct institutions and politics.
State Council of the People's Republic of China: China’s central government and highest administrative organ of state power. It issues administrative regulations beneath statutes and directs their implementation.
Local legislation in China: Laws and regulations enacted by authorized local people's congresses and governments. Local rules address regional matters within limits set by national law.