"Empirical Studies of the Chinese Judiciary: Growth, Reform, and Technological Transformation"

Call for Papers-"Empirical Studies of the Chinese Judiciary: Growth, Reform, and Technological Transformation"

Journal: International Review of Law and Economics

Publisher: Elsevier

Submission Deadline: 31 Aug 2026

Key Requirements:

• Empirical contributions only are emphasized.

• Focus on courts, reform, and technological transformation in China.

• Strong interest in digital judiciary, AI, and court organization.

Overview

This special issue brings together empirical research on the evolving Chinese judiciary, with attention to courts’ role in economic development, judicial reform, and adjudication in a transitional and politically distinct system. It also highlights China’s growing use of digital technologies and AI in court processes, including internet courts, online litigation, AI-assisted adjudication, and data-driven judicial administration. The issue welcomes work that explains how judicial institutions function, change, and adapt across regions and levels of the court system.

Key Research Themes

• Courts, economic development, and judicial reform in China.

• Judicial independence, accountability, and local protectionism.

• The judiciary in a transitional context and a unique political system.

• Public trust and perceptions of judicial fairness.

• Internet courts, online litigation, and access to justice.

• AI-assisted sentencing and adjudication.

• Big data, blockchain, and digital evidence in court operations.

• Judicial personnel, workload, training, and institutional capacity.

Submission Details

• Submit through the journal’s Editorial Manager system.

• The issue welcomes article-length empirical studies relevant to the Chinese judiciary.

• Manuscripts should fit the special issue’s overall theme of growth, reform, and technological transformation.

• Follow the Guide for Authors carefully.

Guest Editors

• John Zhuang Liu

• Prof. Xiaohong Yu

• Wenming Xu

ServiceSetu Academics — Premier Platform for Academic Opportunities & Research Collaboration

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