At the same time, rapid economic transformation has been leading to vigorous social dislocation. Under economic reform and the open-door policy, the increase in individual autonomy and contacts with the outside world has raised the expectation of people for more protection of their basic rights. As a result, legal reform has become an urgent task to resolve the rising conflicts and expectation in society. A major aspect of China's legal reform is the reform of judiciary. From the past experience of many countries, an impartial and independent judiciary is one of the most important safeguards to protect human rights.
Court is the last resort of people to resolve conflicts and to seek for justice.
The plan signifies an important step of China to reform its legal system to meet inter-national standards. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the development of China's judicial system can be divided into four periods. From 1966 to 1976, China's judicial system broke down under the chaotic social and political situation during the Cultural Revolution. The fourth period started from 1979 to the present. The judicial system was gradually recovered with the establishment of a large number of people's courts at different levels.