WHAT 立案 MEANS
What 立案 means
Filing is not the same as winning or even a finding that every pleaded legal theory is correct. It means the court has accepted the matter into the procedural track, subject to jurisdiction and other requirements.
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Why the role matters
Foreign parties often hear “the case has been filed” and assume the merits have been tested. The practical next steps are service, evidence, hearings and interim applications.
CONTEXT
Where you see the term
ContextWhat it means there
Statement of claimSubmitted for court review.
Case numberIssued once docketed.
Procedural timetableService and hearing steps follow.
TRANSLATION NOTE
文/A
Translation note
立案 is usually “case filing”, “docketing” or “case acceptance”. “Registration” alone can be too vague.
AUTHORITY
Primary legal basis
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE
Example
A supplier says it has “立案” against a buyer. That indicates the dispute has entered the court process, not that a judgment already exists.
SOURCES AND REVIEW
Primary authorities.
18 Sep 2026
OFFICIAL SOURCESUPPORTSCHECKED
PRC Civil Procedure Law (2023 revision; effective 1 January 2024; current consolidated text)
PRC Civil Procedure Law (2023 revision; effective 1 January 2024; current consolidated text)
MAINTAINED BYChina Legal Portal Editorial
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