The Future of Legal Reforms in China: A Critical Appraisal of the Decision on Comprehensively Deepening Reform
16 Pages Posted: 16 Jan 2014 Last revised: 13 Aug 2014
Date Written: January 14, 2014
Abstract
Legal reforms are at a crossroads in China. Liberal reformers hoped that the transition from Hu Jintao to Xi Jinping and the replacement of the much maligned party-system cadre Wang Shengjun by the legally-trained technocrat Zhou Qiang as head of the Supreme People’s Court would lead to a turn toward liberal legality and a new era of liberal legal reforms. This article assesses the future of legal reforms in light of the Central Committee Decision concerning Some Major Issues in Comprehensively Deepening Reform, the Supreme People's Court new five year agenda for court reforms, and recent events. Part I begins with a brief overview of reforms and the major faultlines or challenges for legal reforms to provide context for the Decision. Part II summarizes and critically appraises the Decision. Part III concludes.
Keywords: China, legal reforms, comparative law, rule of law
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