Improving the Quality of the judiciary in China: Recent Reforms to the procedures for appointing, promoting and discharging judges

Abstract

In this paper, I will begin by briefly describing the judicial appointment system in the People's Republic of China (PRe) prior to the mid-1990s. I will then analyse the major reforms that have taken place in the decade since 1995, which have corrected some of the most serious defects of the earlier period. Finally, I will conclude by discussing various problems that still require resolution if China's judiciary is to improve its generally poor reputation. I focus not only on the appointment of judges, but also on their promotion/demotion, evaluation, and discharge, as all of these aspects are intimately related under the current judicial system.