Key practical points:
• Specialised maritime courts hear disputes over sea carriage, collision, salvage and marine insurance.
• A ship may be judicially arrested to secure a claim, and security may be required to release it.
• There are urgent procedures for preserving evidence and pre-action preservation of property.
• A carrier may set up a 'limitation-of-liability fund' to cap its liability at the legal ceiling.
• Jurisdiction and time-limit rules differ from ordinary civil litigation.
• Relevant for shipping, insurance and importing companies in sea-cargo disputes.
⚖️ Dispute resolution
Special Maritime Procedure Law · Yalla China
中华人民共和国海事诉讼特别程序法 / Special Maritime Procedure Law
📝 Overview
A law governing special procedures for maritime disputes before specialised maritime courts. It includes rules on jurisdiction, ship arrest, preservation of evidence and limitation-of-liability funds.
This is general information only, not legal advice. For your specific case, consult a licensed lawyer.
📜 The law text / key provisions
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026