There are three divisions in the Chinese judicial system: the Public Securities, the People's Prosecutors, and the Courts.
At the top of the judicial system is the Supreme People's Court followed by the high Courts, the Intermediate courts and the Basic Courts. These courts are divided into tribunals handling criminal, civil, commercial, and other administrative cases. A single judge handles simple civil disputes and minor criminal cases. For others, a panel comprising of an odd number of judges similar to the jury system will preside. The jurors do not pass judgments. They merely make recommendations on the hearing. A judicial committee passes judgment. The judicial committee consists of a Chairman, a President of the Court and various other members. The local People's Congress elects the President of the Court at each respective level and approves the selection of its members. However, it is the Communist Party Committee, which appoints its Chairman who nominates the members.
