Li Shuting could not hold back his tears on Dec 2, when a court of appeal overturned Nie Shubin's conviction for rape and murder, and proclaimed him innocent of all charges.
In the past 12 months, the Supreme People's Court has improved judicial openness and introduced greater supervision of legal officers, paving the way for the public to "see" how the nation's courts work.
The top court has issued a legal interpretation regarding the criterion for confiscating money and property from accused who are deceased or have fled overseas.
BEIJING -- China opened a third and fourth Circuit Court of the Supreme People's Court (SPC) in eastern Jiangsu province and Central Henan province on Dec 28.
Two new circuit courts - one in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, and the other in Zhengzhou, Henan province - were established on Dec 28 to improve judicial efficiency and reduce the burden of case hearings.
Falsifying environmental data to avoid pollution regulations is a criminal offense, according to new judicial interpretations on environmental crimes formed by the top court and top procuratorate and released on Dec 26.
China's first law on traditional Chinese medicine was passed by the top legislature on Dec 25 to ensure development of the time-honored medical science and enhance the public's ability to access more quality products and related services.
