Reforming Land Public Interest Litigation in China: Addressing Legal and Practical Barriers

Land public interest litigation (LPIL) has emerged as a vital mechanism for addressing China’s land crisis. It serves dual purposes: mitigating the tragedy of the commons and safeguarding the legitimate rights of vulnerable groups reliant on land. Over the past decade, China’s LPIL framework has evo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jing Zhang, Shuchen Tang, Yongcun Cui, Aitong Ji
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Land
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/12/2019
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850242107974877184
author Jing Zhang
Shuchen Tang
Yongcun Cui
Aitong Ji
author_facet Jing Zhang
Shuchen Tang
Yongcun Cui
Aitong Ji
author_sort Jing Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Land public interest litigation (LPIL) has emerged as a vital mechanism for addressing China’s land crisis. It serves dual purposes: mitigating the tragedy of the commons and safeguarding the legitimate rights of vulnerable groups reliant on land. Over the past decade, China’s LPIL framework has evolved significantly, with enhanced legislation and consistent judicial practices contributing to the prevention of further land degradation. However, an empirical analysis of 208 LPIL cases reveals a judiciary-led litigation model, with procuratorial bodies initiating 94.71% of cases, while non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individuals account for only 3.85% and 0%, respectively. This narrow plaintiff base, coupled with significant regional disparities—74.52% of cases concentrated in the top ten provinces—and a mere 25% filing rate for administrative cases, limits the system’s effectiveness. These constraints hinder vulnerable groups’ ability to protect their rights and obscure systemic issues underlying efficient operations. To advance LPIL, China must expand plaintiff eligibility, empower NGOs, and clarify departmental boundaries. These reforms can enhance land governance, ensure equitable resource management, and contribute to sustainable development.
format Article
id doaj-art-a2e275f0533a4e46afd937331198a87b
institution OA Journals
issn 2073-445X
language English
publishDate 2024-11-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Land
spelling doaj-art-a2e275f0533a4e46afd937331198a87b2025-08-20T02:00:23ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2024-11-011312201910.3390/land13122019Reforming Land Public Interest Litigation in China: Addressing Legal and Practical BarriersJing Zhang0Shuchen Tang1Yongcun Cui2Aitong Ji3School of Law, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaSchool of Law, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaSchool of Law, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaSchool of Law, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaLand public interest litigation (LPIL) has emerged as a vital mechanism for addressing China’s land crisis. It serves dual purposes: mitigating the tragedy of the commons and safeguarding the legitimate rights of vulnerable groups reliant on land. Over the past decade, China’s LPIL framework has evolved significantly, with enhanced legislation and consistent judicial practices contributing to the prevention of further land degradation. However, an empirical analysis of 208 LPIL cases reveals a judiciary-led litigation model, with procuratorial bodies initiating 94.71% of cases, while non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individuals account for only 3.85% and 0%, respectively. This narrow plaintiff base, coupled with significant regional disparities—74.52% of cases concentrated in the top ten provinces—and a mere 25% filing rate for administrative cases, limits the system’s effectiveness. These constraints hinder vulnerable groups’ ability to protect their rights and obscure systemic issues underlying efficient operations. To advance LPIL, China must expand plaintiff eligibility, empower NGOs, and clarify departmental boundaries. These reforms can enhance land governance, ensure equitable resource management, and contribute to sustainable development.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/12/2019land public interest litigationland degradationsustainable land managementprosecutorial frameworkland regulations
spellingShingle Jing Zhang
Shuchen Tang
Yongcun Cui
Aitong Ji
Reforming Land Public Interest Litigation in China: Addressing Legal and Practical Barriers
Land
land public interest litigation
land degradation
sustainable land management
prosecutorial framework
land regulations
title Reforming Land Public Interest Litigation in China: Addressing Legal and Practical Barriers
title_full Reforming Land Public Interest Litigation in China: Addressing Legal and Practical Barriers
title_fullStr Reforming Land Public Interest Litigation in China: Addressing Legal and Practical Barriers
title_full_unstemmed Reforming Land Public Interest Litigation in China: Addressing Legal and Practical Barriers
title_short Reforming Land Public Interest Litigation in China: Addressing Legal and Practical Barriers
title_sort reforming land public interest litigation in china addressing legal and practical barriers
topic land public interest litigation
land degradation
sustainable land management
prosecutorial framework
land regulations
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/12/2019
work_keys_str_mv AT jingzhang reforminglandpublicinterestlitigationinchinaaddressinglegalandpracticalbarriers
AT shuchentang reforminglandpublicinterestlitigationinchinaaddressinglegalandpracticalbarriers
AT yongcuncui reforminglandpublicinterestlitigationinchinaaddressinglegalandpracticalbarriers
AT aitongji reforminglandpublicinterestlitigationinchinaaddressinglegalandpracticalbarriers