The SPC will have a national appeal court for civil and administrative IP case, according to Zhou Qiang, Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court (SPC) at the bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

"Due to the complexity of IP cases and the expertise needed for trials, a national appeal court will help prevent inconsistency of legal application and improve the quality and efficiency of trials, and also help nurture a favorable legal environment for technological innovation and a better business environment for domestic and international enterprises." Zhou said.

Under the current legal system, intermediate courts at the city and prefecture levels and IP-dedicated courts can sit to hear civil and administrative cases relating to IP disputes that require technical expertise. The cases will go to high courts at the provincial level if the parties concerned lodge appeals.

Chinese courts heard 213,480 IP cases last year, 40.4 percent more than in 2016, and double the number in 2013.

http://english.cnipa.gov.cn/news/iprspecial/1133348.htm

AFD China Newsletter is intended to provide our clients and business partners information only. The information provided on the newsletter should not be considered as professional advice, and should not form the basis of any business decisions.