The Supreme People’s Court Amends Nine Judicial Interpretations on Ecological and Environmental and Maritime Matters

On August 5, 2026, the Supreme People’s Court promulgated the Decision of the Supreme People’s Court on Amending Nine Judicial Interpretations, Including the Provisions of the Supreme People’s Court on Several Issues Concerning the Trial of Cases Involving Compensation for Vessel-Induced Oil Pollution Damage (the “Decision”), which took effect on August 15, 2026.

All nine judicial interpretations are aligned with the Ecological and Environmental Code. The judicial interpretation on ecological and environmental civil public interest litigation adjusts the scope of cases accepted, the qualifications of social organizations, jurisdiction, burden of proof, remediation costs, settlement announcements, and the effect of effective judgments; the provisions on compensation for marine ecological and environmental damage clarify the jurisdiction of maritime courts, claimants, the scope of losses, and rules governing reductions in compensation payable by liable parties. The judicial interpretation on ecological and environmental tort liability includes within its scope disputes involving damage caused by violations of green and low-carbon obligations, and clarifies the joint and several liability of technical service institutions; the provisions on evidence shall also apply to such disputes. The provisions on injunctions adjust the conditions for application, the time limit for review, and liability for non-compliance.