The Chinese legal system is a socialist market economy system, according to which principle most assets belong to the people but are managed by the Central Government under the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. In terms of the judiciary, prior to 1983, a judge need not be, and in most cases was not, a legally qualified person. The minimum qualification stipulated was that the person must be at least 23 years of age, have the right to vote and not be deprived of his or her political privileges. In 1983 the rules were changed and it became required that a judge have proper knowledge of the law. Professional qualifications were omitted, probably because of the lack of qualified persons. In 1986, more rigid requirements for judges and lawyers were imposed and the lawyer profession was introduced.
