The Politics of Courts in China

Politics has shaped the operation of the Chinese courts as well as their decision-making processes. This article surveys mostly empirical studies on the relationship between the courts and politics. It covers topics such as judicial independence, local protectionism, judicial mediation, judicial innovation, judicial reforms, and people’s attitudes toward the courts. It provides a clue to understand the trajectory of the Chinese courts, the legal system, and the relationship between law and society in general.