What is a family trial?

Legal analysis: The family court refers to an independent court, or an independent department of the court of first instance. Generally speaking, the cases heard by the family court are limited to divorce, child custody and support, adoption, and other matters related to domestic relationships, such as the granting of restraining orders in domestic violence cases.

Legal basis: "Opinions on Carrying out Pilot Reforms of Family Trial Methods and Working Mechanisms" Article 36: Family cases involving personal privacy shall not be heard in public by the people's courts. If a public trial of a family case involving a minor is not conducive to protecting the interests of the minor, the People's Court shall not hear the case in public.

In a divorce case, before the hearing begins, the People's Court shall inquire whether the parties concerned have applied for a closed trial. If the parties concerned apply for non-disclosure, the hearing may be conducted in public.

In other family cases, if the parties apply for a closed trial, and the People's Court deems it inappropriate to conduct a closed trial upon review, the case may be heard closed.