What changes the answer

The signal ledger.

These facts move the question beyond a label and into a product, money-flow and control analysis.

Signal
Ask the operating question
Why it changes the route
Claim type
What cause of action and subject matter is being filed?
Subject matter can determine whether general or specialised jurisdiction applies.
Territorial connection
Where are the defendant, contract performance, property or harmful act located?
These facts determine which courts may have territorial jurisdiction.
Court level
Does the claim amount or a special rule place the case in a basic, intermediate or higher court?
Filing at the wrong level can delay or prevent acceptance.
Foreign-related element
Are any parties, performance, assets or evidence outside mainland China?
Foreign-related rules can affect forum, service and evidence.
Specialised court
Does the matter fall within IP, maritime, financial, internet or another specialised jurisdiction?
Special jurisdiction can override the general route.
Prepare before you escalate

Bring a compact evidence docket—not a pitch deck.

Give a compliance team or counsel the operating facts that reveal the perimeter.

01Parties’ legal detailsconfirm registered names, domiciles and legal status.
02Contract/jurisdiction clauseidentify any agreed forum and whether the clause is valid for this dispute.
03Claim amount/typeidentify the cause of action, relief sought and amount for subject-matter/level jurisdiction.
04Relevant locationsmap defendant domicile, contract performance, property and harmful-act locations.
05Asset/service informationidentify where assets are located and where service of process may need to occur.

Primary authorities

Reviewed sources support orientation, not a fact-specific assessment.

Sources last checked:

Civil Procedure Law and current SPC interpretationsNational People’s Congress
Arbitration Law (2025 revision; effective 1 Mar 2026)www.npc.gov.cn
Supreme People’s Court judicial interpretations/guidanceSupreme People’s Court
New York Convention / treaty status where relevanttreaties.un.org