Introduction to Guangzhou Maritime Court
　　The Guangzhou Maritime Court is a special court which has jurisdiction over maritime cases and was established on 1st June 1984 in accordance with the Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on the Establishment of Maritime Courts in Coastal Port Cities. It is one of the maritime courts with the longest history in China and has jurisdiction over the sea area and the seaward inland river within the Guangdong province, including the shore areas and ports. Guangzhou Maritime Court has jurisdiction over a coastline of 3368 kilometers, sea area over 370 thousand square kilometers and inland rivers with navigational marks of 4000 kilometers. The headquarters of the Guangzhou Maritime Court is located in Guangzhou and detached tribunals are located in Shenzhen, Shantou, Zhanjiang and Zhuhai.
　　The jurisdiction of the Guangzhou Maritime Court over maritime cases is determined by the principles on the determination of jurisdiction over maritime cases as stipulated by the existing laws of the PRC and relevant international conventions concluded or acceded to by the PRC. The scope of cases to be entertained is determined in accordance with the existing legislation, Some Provisions of the Supreme People's Court on the Scope of Cases to be Entertained by Maritime Courts. Cases of appeals filed by litigants who are dissatisfied with the judgment or ruling rendered by the Guangzhou Maritime Court, shall fall under the jurisdiction of Guangdong Provincial Higher People’s Court.
　　In hearing cases, the Guangzhou Maritime Court applies the Civil Procedure Law of the PRC, the Special Maritime Procedure Law of the PRC and related judicial interpretations for procedural trial, ?the General Principles of the Civil Law of the PRC, the Maritime Code of the PRC, the Contract Law of the PRC, the Guarantee Law of the PRC, the Property Law of the PRC, the Tort Law of the PRC and relevant judicial interpretations for trials on the merits.
　　The Guangzhou Maritime Court has brought up a group of professional maritime judges who have great knowledge both in the fields of law and shipping. They are specialized in hearing maritime cases and in the fine style of work. The Annual of China’s Maritime Trial initiated on 1987 is the only specialized annual on maritime proceedings published in China, and has wide influence on the shipping industry and the world of maritime law.
Contact
　　Headquarters: No.863, Nanzhou Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou; 510300
　　Website: http://www.gzhsfy.gov.cn/web/home?edition=English
　　Tel.: Reception: (020)34063800; consultation for filing cases: (020)34063863; complaint and recommendation: (020)89024639
　　Email:feedback@gzhsfy.gov.cn