[skip to content]

School of Law

Chinese law

Course Code:
155200055
Unit value:
1
Taught in:
Full Year
This course is designed to provide students with a broad introduction to China’s legal past and present.  It is divided into two sections: one examining the laws of traditional China and the other examining the laws of modern China.  Each week’s lecture will introduce students to key features within a major “field” of law, and during the tutorials students will consider and discuss in detail a specific issue emanating from this major “field”.

During Term One, students will be introduced to China’s legal past through an examination of the legal thought, institutions, personnel, and practices prevalent during China’s last imperial dynasty, the Qing (1644-1911).  Topics covered may include (but are not limited to): ancient legal thought, sources of law, criminal procedure, traditional commercial/contract law, marriage/divorce, adoption, land law, extraterritoriality, and East-West treaties.

Term Two focuses on legal developments in post-1949 China.  Topics may include (but are not limited to): post-1949 legal history, constitutional law, legislation, sources of law, legal institutions, criminal law, civil procedure, property law, and marriage/divorce.

Prior knowledge of Chinese language is not required; however, students will be expected to learn specific terminology for traditional and modern Chinese law.

Method of assessment

TWO Essays (10% each, 2500 words, 1 per term); ONE exam (70%); ONE tutorial presentation (10%)