SPP Issues Provisions on Hearings for People’s Procuratorates in Case Review

On July 31, 2026, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) issued the Provisions on Hearings for People’s Procuratorates in Case Review (the “Provisions”), which took effect upon issuance.

The Provisions make clear that People’s Procuratorates may convene hearings for criminal, civil, administrative, and public interest litigation procuratorial cases in which there are relatively major disputes over fact-finding, application of law, or case disposition, or that have significant social impact; where a decision of non-prosecution is proposed, and in civil or administrative cases where it is proposed not to support an application for supervision, a hearing shall be conducted when deemed necessary. The Provisions set out the conditions for applying simplified hearings, clarify that hearings shall generally be held publicly, except in cases involving minors, State secrets, personal privacy, commercial secrets, and other such circumstances, which shall not be public; and permit online hearings to be conducted upon approval. The Provisions also further detail the establishment of hearing officer rosters, the qualifications for selection and appointment, random selection, term management, recusal and withdrawal rules, clarify hearing procedures, synchronized audio and video recording, and funding guarantees, and provide that it shall enter into force as of the date of promulgation, while the relevant previous provisions shall be repealed simultaneously.