Last year's highlights

January: The government orders courts to improve the quality of legal services and offer quick and efficient services for litigants. It also requires courts to establish a cross-regional case-filing system and improve efforts in mediation.

March: In a work report, the Supreme People's Court says it has decided to intensify efforts to build systems that will help litigants file cases online or through self-service platforms, and diversify dispute resolutions.

July: The SPC begins a pilot program on cross-regional case filing in some provinces. This means litigants can file a case at the court nearest their home, even if that court has no right or jurisdiction to hear it.

August: The top court issues a guideline on establishing "one-stop" legal service centers and helping litigants resolve disputes in diverse ways.

December: The SPC announces the success of the pilot program, adding that the cross-jurisdiction case-filing system has been extended to all courts nationwide.