Chinese Civil Law Codification

Following the Cultural Revolution, legal development in the People's Republic was initially characterized by the gradual establishment of individual areas of law. Through the enactment of numerous individual laws, a refined system of civil law rules gradually emerged. Several codification projects spanning decades ultimately culminated in the adoption of the Civil Code (民法典) by the National People's Congress on 28 May 2020, which took effect on 1 January 2021 and consolidated the previously applicable individual statutes.

The Chinese legal system continues to be significantly shaped by the reception of continental European – and in particular German – civil law concepts. This comparative law framework creates a distinctive field of inquiry for the Centre's research, with particular regard to the adaptation of adopted legal concepts to the political, social and societal conditions of the People's Republic of China and also to the practical application and further development of these concepts.

The Civil Code now forms the central framework for research. Since its adoption, the Centre of Expertise has been monitoring its implementation though case law and subsequent legislation.