Foreigners Need to Know in China – Civil Procedure Law

Peter Peng   2023-03-24

 

外国人在中国如何参加民事诉讼案件？是否需要聘请涉外律师？民事诉讼法关于涉外诉讼程序有哪些特别的规定，外国法院的判决或裁定是否可以在中国得到承认和执行？外国人在中国应当知道更多的涉外民事诉讼法律以备不时之需，请仔细阅读下文以获取更多细节信息。

 

How do foreigners participate the civil litigation procedures in China? Whether the judgements or rulings made by the foreign courts could be executed in China? You could find more relevant information about the answers in this article.

The latest revised civil procedure law has become effective as of January 1st, 2022.

 

1. Jurisdiction

In China, jurisdiction over civil cases shall be exercised by the People’s courts, and shall not be subject to any interference by any third party of a foreign country. When Foreigners initiate or respond a civil litigation in the Chinese courts, they shall have the same procedural rights and obligations as the citizens of China.

Technically speaking, the specific jurisdiction of the foreign-related case maybe tied with the foreigners’ domicile, property of the foreigners or the places where the contract performed, the places where the tort committed or the places where the representative office is located. 

2. Local Language

In the hearing involved with the foreign parties, the Chinese courts will write and speak the languages commonly used in China, translation will be rendered to the foreign party as requested, but they shall bear the costs occurred therein.

In addition, when the foreigners submit the documentary evidence in a foreign language, a Chinese translation shall be accompanied at the same time.

3. Engage a Chinese Lawyer

When the foreigners need to take part in the litigations in the Chinese courts, they shall entrust PRC lawyers and only such Chinese attorney could represent the foreign clients in the civil litigation proceedings.

By the way, the Power of Attorney generated out of China shall be notarized and authenticated before it could be used in the Chinese courts.

4. Enforcement

It is quite different with many other countries in the world, the rulings and judgements of second instance issued by the People’s courts shall be final and effective, and the parties could apply for compulsive enforcements in case either party refuse to honor the awards voluntarily.

In addition, the arbitral award made by the arbitration body of China shall not be tried again in the courts, the wining party also could apply for execution of the award if the other party fails to perform the results.

The judgements and rulings made by foreign courts could be recognized and executed under the principle of reciprocity or pursue to the international treaties concluded by the foreign country and China。

5. As a short conclusion, although civil litigation is very common during the everyday life, but it’s also very complex and sophisticated, once you have to take party in a litigation proceeds in China, please do not hesitate to seek assistance from a local PRC lawyer to safeguard your interests and avoid potential risks if any.

《中华人民共和国民事诉讼法》（节选） 

The Civil Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China (excerpts)

第五条外国人、无国籍人、外国企业和组织在人民法院起诉、应诉，同中华人民共和国公民、法人和其他组织有同等的诉讼权利义务。

外国法院对中华人民共和国公民、法人和其他组织的民事诉讼权利加以限制的，中华人民共和国人民法院对该国公民、企业和组织的民事诉讼权利，实行对等原则。

第二百六十八条对享有外交特权与豁免的外国人、外国组织或者国际组织提起的民事诉讼，应当依照中华人民共和国有关法律和中华人民共和国缔结或者参加的国际条约的规定办理。

第二百六十九条人民法院审理涉外民事案件，应当使用中华人民共和国通用的语言、文字。当事人要求提供翻译的，可以提供，费用由当事人承担。

第二百七十条外国人、无国籍人、外国企业和组织在人民法院起诉、应诉，需要委托律师代理诉讼的，必须委托中华人民共和国的律师。

第二百七十一条在中华人民共和国领域内没有住所的外国人、无国籍人、外国企业和组织委托中华人民共和国律师或者其他人代理诉讼，从中华人民共和国领域外寄交或者托交的授权委托书，应当经所在国公证机关证明，并经中华人民共和国驻该国使领馆认证，或者履行中华人民共和国与该所在国订立的有关条约中规定的证明手续后，才具有效力。

第二百七十二条因合同纠纷或者其他财产权益纠纷，对在中华人民共和国领域内没有住所的被告提起的诉讼，如果合同在中华人民共和国领域内签订或者履行，或者诉讼标的物在中华人民共和国领域内，或者被告在中华人民共和国领域内有可供扣押的财产，或者被告在中华人民共和国领域内设有代表机构，可以由合同签订地、合同履行地、诉讼标的物所在地、可供扣押财产所在地、侵权行为地或者代表机构住所地人民法院管辖。

第二百八十八条外国法院作出的发生法律效力的判决、裁定，需要中华人民共和国人民法院承认和执行的，可以由当事人直接向中华人民共和国有管辖权的中级人民法院申请承认和执行，也可以由外国法院依照该国与中华人民共和国缔结或者参加的国际条约的规定，或者按照互惠原则，请求人民法院承认和执行。

第二百九十条国外仲裁机构的裁决，需要中华人民共和国人民法院承认和执行的，应当由当事人直接向被执行人住所地或者其财产所在地的中级人民法院申请，人民法院应当依照中华人民共和国缔结或者参加的国际条约，或者按照互惠原则办理。

涉外律师

Peter Peng

Attorney at Law, LL.M.

盈科律师事务所上海办公室

Yingke Law Firm Shanghai Office

Mobile: +86 139 1608 1358

Email:Lawpeter@163.com

Website: www.lawpeng.com

地址：中华人民共和国上海市静安区裕通路洲际商务中心50层200070

Address: 50 F, InterContinental Business Center, No. 100 Yutong Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai 200070 China. 

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