Introduction

19.1 Under Chinese law, jurisdiction in civil litigation means the division of work and power among courts at different levels and courts at the same level to entertain cases at first instance. The main legislation governing maritime jurisdiction include the Civil Procedure Law of the People’s Republic of China (the “CPL”) and the Special Maritime Procedure Law of the People’s Republic of China (the “SMPL”) supplemented by other interpretations, practice directions and guidances issued by the Supreme People’s Court of People’s Republic of China (the “SPC”).