Top court strengthens legal protection for private firms

In a significant move to reinforce legal protections for private enterprises, China’s Supreme People’s Court unveiled four landmark cases on Wednesday, underscoring the necessity to rectify judicial errors promptly and enhance legal support for the private sector. The court emphasized the critical role of safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of private entrepreneurs, urging judges nationwide to elevate the quality of case handling to foster the sustained, healthy, and high-quality development of private businesses. The release of these cases is seen as a robust affirmation of the rule of law, signaling that judicial mistakes must be corrected in a timely and lawful manner. This initiative aims to enable private enterprises and entrepreneurs to concentrate on innovation, operate without undue legal concerns, and expand their businesses with confidence. For instance, in scenarios where economic disputes arise from contracts without evidence of illegal intent or fund misappropriation, courts are advised to resolve these as economic disputes rather than criminal cases. The Supreme Court also highlighted that these cases serve as a legal guide, promoting uniform application of the law and clarifying legal boundaries, thereby cultivating a business environment anchored in legal governance.