Issue 11, 2009 - The Maritime Court system in China – a changing landscape?

The maritime courts have jurisdiction over cases of a maritime nature including disputes in relation to sea transportation, accidents at sea, maritime administrative disputes, and port operation disputes. In an effort to speed up the judicial process judges are also encouraged to issue judgments within a set time period from the commencement of proceedings.

A party that is not satisfied with the judgment or ruling handed down by a maritime court has the right to file an appeal before the provincial higher court where the maritime court is located. The appeal must be filed within 30 days (for a foreign party), or 15 days (for a Chinese party), from the date the written judgment or ruling is served.