On 22 May 2025, China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC) released five typical cases illustrating comprehensive judicial protection for minors. These cases highlight coordinated efforts across criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings, and the implementation of the “best interests of the child” principle.
In Case No. 2 of Huang and others regarding the revocation of guardianship, a local court, while handling a drug-related criminal case, found that two children were left unattended due to their parents’ drug use. The court immediately collaborated with the procuratorate and subdistrict office to activate an emergency response mechanism. They arranged temporary caregivers for the children, and assisted relatives in successfully applying to revoke the original guardians’ guardianship under Article 36 of the Civil Code, subsequently appointing new guardians for the children.
Currently, there are over 900 juvenile courts in China, one-third of which employ an integrated trial model that handles criminal, civil, and administrative cases to provide holistic protection for minors’ rights and interests.
Contributors: CJO Staff Contributors Team
