Welcome to our Legal Express update. This edition focuses on the latest guiding and typical cases released by China's Supreme People's Court (SPC) and the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The selected cases provide clear judicial guidance on pressing social issues, including combating pension and healthcare fraud, protecting the legitimate rights of private enterprises, resolving common property management disputes, and addressing public concerns through environmental and administrative public interest litigation. This release also underscores the ongoing commitment to punishing corruption that directly impacts people's livelihoods and to the regular crackdown on organized crime.
These cases serve as crucial references for legal professionals, businesses, and the public to understand current judicial priorities and the application of law in China.
For the official Chinese texts, please refer to the announcements on the official websites of the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate.
I. Guiding Cases
(Cases establishing binding judicial rules for similar disputes)
The 59th Batch of Guiding Cases (SPP)
Issued: October 9, 2025
No. 238: Prosecutorial Supervision over Case Filing for Defamation (Wang Moujia)
No. 239: Prosecutorial Supervision over Case Filing for Theft (Zhong Moumou)
No. 240: Prosecutorial Supervision over Case Filing for Picking Quarrels & Affray (Xu Moumou et al.)
No. 241: Supervision over Investigation for Providing Cyber Intrusion Tools (Huang Moumou et al.)
No. 242: Prosecutorial Supervision over Investigation for Dangerous Driving (Shen Moumou)
No. 243: Prosecutorial Supervision over Investigation for False Accusation & Extortion (Li Moumou et al.)
II. Typical Cases
(Cases demonstrating judicial stance and application of law in specific areas)
1. Combating Fraud in Livelihood Areas (SPC)
Issued: December 1, 2025 | Focus: Social Security, Healthcare, Elderly Fraud
Pension fraud by concealing a death.
Pension fraud via dual household registration.
Defrauding disability subsidies.
"Medical bait" scams for fake prescriptions.
Scamming elderly with overpriced "health products".
Fraud via fake marathon qualifications.
3. Protecting Private Enterprises (SPC)
Issued: December 4, 2025 | Focus: Fair Business Environment
Curbing excessive financing fees by banks.
Defining thresholds for banks to recall loans.
Clarifying property reclamation rights in bankruptcy.
Upholding shareholder limited liability.
Relieving burdens from improper historical debts.
Protecting corporate reputation from ex-employee defamation.
Enforcing contracts via pre-action attachment.
4. "Heart for Public" Volunteer-Assisted Litigation (SPP)
Issued: December 5, 2025 | Focus: Public Interest & Ecology
Cases address barrier-free facilities (Sichuan), water pollution (Hebei), invasive species (Chongqing), wildlife protection (Shanghai), food safety (Guizhou, Shandong), cultural heritage (Henan), and utility safety (Jiangsu).
5. Property Service Disputes (SPC)
Issued: December 8, 2025 | Focus: Community Governance
Bans on restricting access to collect fees.
Limits on withholding fees for housing quality issues.
Denial of fees to providers refusing to leave post-contract.
No standing for old providers to challenge new selections.
Promoting "circuit trials + mediation" for mass disputes.
6. Administrative Public Interest Litigation - Batch 3 (SPC & SPP)
Issued: December 8, 2025 | Focus: Government Oversight
Cases cover land protection (Hainan), pesticide safety (Guizhou), pharmacy regulation (Chongqing), public housing (Heilongjiang), city management (Henan), and gender equality in employment (Anhui).
7. Punishing "Corruption Around the People" (SPC & SPP)
*Issued: December 9, 2025 | Focus: Anti-Corruption*
Targeting embezzlement in housing security, elderly care, medical insurance, school meals, and disability funds.
9. Regular Crackdown on Organized Crime (SPP)
Issued: December 24, 2025 | Focus: Social Order
Cases involve organized criminal syndicates and gang-related crimes in various regions.