Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Articles of the Law on the Organization of People's Courts No. 81/2025/QH15

LAW

AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO CERTAIN ARTICLES

OF THE LAW ON THE ORGANIZATION OF PEOPLE'S COURTS

Pursuant to the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam amended and supplemented by Resolution No. 203/2025/QH15;

Enacted by the National Assembly Law amending and supplementing certain articles of the Law on the Organization of People's Courts No. 34/2024/QH15.

 Article 1. Amending and supplementing certain articles of the Law on the Organization of People's Courts

a) Amending and supplementing Point c Clause 2 as follows:

"Article 4. Organization and authority to establish and dissolve people's courts

1. The organization of people's courts includes:

a) Supreme People's Court;

b) Provincial People's Court (hereinafter referred to as provincial-level People's Court);

c) District People's Court;

d) Specialized Court at the International Financial Center (hereinafter referred to as specialized court);

đ) Central Military Court, Military Court of Military Region and equivalent, and Military Court of district (hereinafter collectively referred to as military court).

2. Authority to establish and dissolve provincial-level People's Court, district People's Court; territorial jurisdiction of some provincial-level People's Court, district People's Court, and military court shall be prescribed as follows:

a) The Standing Committee of the National Assembly decides on the establishment and dissolution of provincial-level People's Court and district People's Court; prescribes the territorial jurisdiction of district People's Court according to the proposal of the President of the Supreme People's Court;

b) The Standing Committee of the National Assembly prescribes the territorial jurisdiction of some provincial-level People's Court for requests to annul arbitral awards and to register arbitral awards according to the proposal of the President of the Supreme People's Court;

c) The Standing Committee of the National Assembly prescribes the territorial jurisdiction of some district People's Court for handling bankruptcy cases; civil, commercial, and administrative cases concerning intellectual property rights and technology transfer according to the proposal of the President of the Supreme People's Court;

d) The Standing Committee of the National Assembly decides on the establishment and dissolution and prescribes the territorial jurisdiction of Military Court of Military Region and equivalent, and Military Court of district according to the proposal of the President of the Supreme People's Court after reaching consensus with the Minister of Defense."

2. Amending and supplementing Clause 1 of Article 40 as follows:

"1. The composition of the Council for selecting and supervising National Judges consists of the Chairman of the Council, Vice Chairmen of the Council, and members of the Council, specifically as follows:

a) The President of the Supreme People's Court is the Chairman of the Council;

b) One Vice Chairman of the Council is the Deputy President of the Supreme People's Court who is a Judge of the Supreme People's Court appointed by the President of the Supreme People's Court on a rotational basis every year;

c) The President of the Central Military Court;

d) One head of an entity under the Supreme People's Court who is a Judge of the People's Court, one President of the Supreme People's Court's Appeal Division, and one President of a provincial-level People's Court appointed by the President of the Supreme People's Court;

đ) One representative leader of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, the Vietnam Bar Association, the Office of the President, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Finance."

3. Amending and supplementing Article 46 as follows:

"Article 46. Tasks and powers of the Supreme People's Court

The Supreme People's Court is the highest judicial organ of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, performing the following tasks and powers:

1. Reconsidering and re-examining judgments and decisions of courts that have become legally effective and are subject to protest according to the provisions of the law;

2. Supervising the trial work of the Supreme People's Court's Appeal Division and other courts, except where otherwise provided by law;

3. Re-examining criminal cases where the judgments and decisions of the provincial-level People's Court have not yet become legally effective and are subject to appeal or protest according to the provisions of the law;

4. Summarizing the practical trial work of courts, ensuring uniform application of laws in trials;

5. Developing precedents;

6. Training human resources; providing professional training for judges, judicial examiners, court secretaries, and other officials and staff of the court; providing vocational training for lay judges, conciliators, and other subjects as prescribed by law;

7. Managing people's courts and military courts in accordance with this Law and related laws, ensuring the independence of courts within their jurisdictional powers;

8. Proposing the drafting of laws, ordinances, and resolutions of the National Assembly and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly; submitting draft laws and resolutions to the National Assembly; submitting draft ordinances and resolutions to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly;

9. Inspecting and auditing the professional activities of courts, judges, lay judges, judicial examiners, court secretaries to ensure compliance with the law, control of power, prevention of corruption, waste, and negative practices in court activities;

10. International cooperation;

11. Performing other tasks and powers as prescribed by law."

4. Amending and supplementing Article 47 as follows:

"Article 47. Organizational Structure of the Supreme People's Court

1. The organizational structure of the Supreme People's Court includes:

a) The Supreme People's Court Judges Council;

b) The Supreme People's Court Circuit Courts;

c) Departments and equivalent units;

d) Training and capacity-building facilities;

đ) Press agencies.

2. The Supreme People's Court has the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justices, Supreme People's Court Judges, Division Chiefs, Deputy Division Chiefs, People's Court Judges, Court Investigators, Court Clerks, other civil servants, staff members, and workers.

3. The Standing Committee of the National Assembly shall approve the proposal for establishing, reorganizing, or dissolving the agencies and units specified in points b, c, and đ of Clause 1 of this Article upon the proposal of the Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court. The establishment of training and capacity-building facilities as provided for in point d of Clause 1 of this Article shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law."

5. Amend and supplement Clause 1 of Article 48 as follows:

"1. The number of members of the Supreme People's Court Judges Council shall not be less than twenty-three and not more than twenty-seven persons, including the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justices of the Supreme People's Court who are Supreme People's Court Judges, and other Supreme People's Court Judges."

6. Add Article 49a after Article 49 in Section 1 of Chapter IV as follows:

"Article 49a. Tasks and Powers of the Supreme People's Court Circuit Courts

1. To hear appeals against criminal cases where the first-instance judgments and decisions of the provincial-level People's Courts have not yet taken legal effect according to the law.

2. To recommend the Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court to consider and lodge appeals for cassation or revision of judgments and decisions of the Supreme People's Court Circuit Courts and provincial-level People's Courts that have taken legal effect according to the law.

3. To conduct summaries of judicial practices; to propose precedents.

4. To perform tasks and exercise powers as stipulated in points b, c, d, and đ of Clause 2 of Article 3 of this Law.

5. To perform other tasks and exercise other powers as prescribed by law."

7. Amend and supplement Section 3 of Chapter IV as follows:

"Section 3

PROVINCIAL PEOPLE'S COURTS

Article 55. Tasks and Powers of Provincial People's Courts

1. To try first-instance criminal cases as prescribed by law.

2. To hear appeals against cases and matters where the first-instance judgments and decisions of the district-level People's Courts have not yet taken legal effect according to the law.

3. To review for cassation or revision judgments and decisions of the district-level People's Courts that have taken legal effect according to the law.

4. To inspect judgments and decisions of the district-level People's Courts that have taken legal effect.

5. To recommend the Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court to consider and lodge appeals for cassation or revision of judgments and decisions of the provincial-level People's Courts and the Supreme People's Court Circuit Courts that have taken legal effect according to the law.

6. To conduct summaries of judicial practices; to propose precedents.

7. To perform tasks and exercise powers as stipulated in points b, c, d, đ, and g of Clause 2 of Article 3 of this Law.

8. Perform other duties and powers as prescribed by law.

Article 56. Organizational Structure of Provincial People's Courts

1. The organizational structure of provincial-level People's Courts includes:

a) The Provincial People's Court Judges Council;

b) Specialized Divisions including Criminal Division, Civil Division, Administrative Division, Economic Division, Labor Division, Family and Juvenile Division.

In case of necessity, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly shall decide on the establishment of other specialized divisions upon the proposal of the Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court.

Based on the provisions herein and the requirements of judicial practice at each provincial-level People's Court, the Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court shall decide on the organization of specialized divisions.

c) Supporting machinery.

The Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court shall decide on the establishment and define the tasks and powers of the supporting machinery of the provincial-level People's Courts.

2. The provincial-level People's Courts have the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justices, Division Chiefs, Deputy Division Chiefs, People's Court Judges, Court Investigators, Court Clerks, other civil servants, and workers.

Article 57. The Judicial Council of the People's Court at the provincial level

1. The Judicial Council of the People's Court at the provincial level consists of the President, Vice-Presidents, and some judges of the People's Court at the provincial level decided by the President of the Supreme People's Court. The number of members of the Judicial Council is decided by the President of the Supreme People's Court based on the proposal of the President of the People's Court at the provincial level.

Meetings of the Judicial Council of the People's Court at the provincial level shall be chaired by the President.

2. The Judicial Council of the People's Court at the provincial level has the following tasks and powers:

a) Reviewing judgments and decisions of the People's Court in the region that have become legally binding and are subject to protest according to the law;

b) Discussing the work program and plan of the People's Court at the provincial level;

c) Discussing and providing opinions on the work report of the President of the People's Court at the provincial level for reporting to the President of the Supreme People's Court and the Provincial People's Council;

d) Discussing the recommendations of the President of the People's Court at the provincial level requesting the President of the Supreme People's Court to review judgments and decisions of the People's Court at the provincial level and the Supreme People's Court of Appeals that have become legally binding through the cassation and revision procedures according to the request of the President of the People's Court at the provincial level;

đ) Conducting summaries of practical trial experiences; proposing precedents.

Article 58. Tasks and Powers of the Specialized Courts of the People's Court at the provincial level

1. To try first-instance criminal cases as prescribed by law.

2. To hear appeals against cases and matters where the first-instance judgments and decisions of the district-level People's Courts have not yet taken legal effect according to the law.

3. Implementing the tasks and powers stipulated in points b, c, d, đ, and h Clause 2 Article 3 of this Law."

8. Amend and supplement Section 4 Chapter IV as follows:

"Section 4

PEOPLE'S COURT IN THE REGION

Article 59. Tasks and Powers of the People's Court in the Region

1. First instance trials of cases and matters as prescribed by law.

2. Implementing the tasks and powers stipulated in points b, c, d, đ, and g Clause 2 Article 3 of this Law.

3. Recommending the President of the Supreme People's Court and the President of the People's Court at the provincial level to consider and protest judgments and decisions of the People's Court in the region and the People's Court at the provincial level that have become legally binding according to the cassation and revision procedures as prescribed by law.

4. Conducting summaries of practical trial experiences; proposing precedents.

Article 70. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Justice

Article 60. Organizational Structure of the People's Court in the Region

1. The organizational structure of the People's Court in the Region includes:

a) Specialized courts including Criminal Court, Civil Court, Commercial Court, Administrative Court, Family and Juvenile Court; Bankruptcy Court, Intellectual Property Court at some People's Courts in the Region.

Based on the provisions herein and the requirements of practical trials at each People's Court in the Region, the President of the Supreme People's Court decides on the organization of the Criminal Court, Civil Court, Commercial Court, Administrative Court, Family and Juvenile Court.

Based on the provisions of point c Clause 2 Article 4 of this Law, the President of the Supreme People's Court decides on the organization of the Bankruptcy Court, Intellectual Property Court at some People's Courts in the Region.

In case of necessity, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly decides to establish other specialized courts according to the proposal of the President of the Supreme People's Court;

b) Administrative support staff.

The President of the Supreme People's Court decides to establish and define the tasks and powers of the support staff of the People's Court in the Region.

2. The People's Court in the Region has the President, Vice-Presidents, Chief Judges, Deputy Chief Judges, Judges of the People's Court, Enforcement Officers, Court Secretaries, other civil servants, and workers.

Article 61. Tasks and powers of the specialized court of the People's Court of the region

1. First instance trials of cases and matters as prescribed by law.

2. Perform the tasks and powers stipulated at points b, c, d, đ and h Clause 2 Article 3 of this Law."

9. Amend and supplement Section 5 Chapter IV as follows:

"Section 5

SPECIALIZED COURT"

10. Amend and supplement Article 62 as follows:

"Article 62. Organization and operation of specialized courts

1. Tasks, powers, procedures, and litigation proceedings for resolving disputes; language and writing used in litigation, application of laws at specialized courts; judges resolving disputes and other contents related to the organization and operation of specialized courts shall be prescribed by the National Assembly.

2. The Standing Committee of the National Assembly decides on the establishment, dissolution, and territorial jurisdiction of specialized courts based on the proposal of the President of the Supreme People's Court."

11. Amend and supplement some clauses of Article 77 as follows:

a) Amend and supplement Clause 8 as follows:

"8. Appointing, dismissing, and removing from office persons holding positions prescribed in Clause 1 Article 80, Clause 1 Article 81, Clause 1 Article 83, Clause 1 Article 85, Clause 1 Article 86, Clause 1 Article 87 of this Law and positions within the Supreme People's Court, except for positions under the appointment, dismissal, and removal authority of the President."

b) Amend and supplement Clauses 11, 12, 13, and 14 as follows:

"11. Submit to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly for decision on the establishment, dissolution of provincial people's courts, regional people's courts, specialized courts; regulations on territorial jurisdiction of regional people's courts, specialized courts; establishment of other specialized tribunals of the people's court when deemed necessary.

Submit to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly for regulations on territorial jurisdiction of some provincial people's courts regarding requests to annul arbitral awards, registration of arbitral awards cases.

Submit to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly for decision on the establishment, dissolution, and regulations on territorial jurisdiction of military courts of military regions and equivalent, regional military courts after coordination with the Minister of Defense.

12. Decide on the organization of specialized tribunals as prescribed in Clause 1 Article 56 and point a Clause 1 Article 60 of this Law.

13. Submit to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly for approval of proposals for the establishment, reorganization, and dissolution of agencies and units prescribed in points b, c, and đ Clause 1 Article 47 of this Law.

Based on the Resolution approving of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the President of the Supreme People's Court decides on the establishment of agencies and units prescribed in points b, c, and đ Clause 1 Article 47 of this Law.

Prescribe the tasks, powers, organizational structure of agencies and units prescribed in points b, c, d, and đ Clause 1 Article 47 of this Law; regulations on territorial jurisdiction of the Supreme People's Court's Appeal Tribunals.

14. Decide on the establishment, reorganization, dissolution, and prescribe the tasks, powers of the support staff of provincial people's courts, support staff of regional people's courts."

12. Amend and supplement Article 80 as follows:

"Article 80. President of the Provincial People's Court
1. The President of the Provincial People's Court is appointed, dismissed, and removed from office by the President of the Supreme People's Court.

The term of office of the President of the Provincial People's Court is five years from the date of appointment.

2. The President of the Provincial People's Court has the following tasks and powers:

a) Organize the adjudication work of the Provincial People's Court; responsible for organizing the implementation of the principle that judges and lay assessors adjudicate independently and only follow the law;

b) Protest according to the cassation and revision procedure against judgments and decisions of the Regional People's Court that have taken legal effect in accordance with the law;

c) Chair meetings of the Judicial Council of the Provincial People's Court;

d) Implement tasks and powers in personnel work according to the classification of the President of the Supreme People's Court;

đ) Be responsible and report the work of the Provincial People's Court, Regional People's Court within the administrative boundaries of the province to the Provincial People's Council and the President of the Supreme People's Court; answer questions and suggestions of provincial People's Council representatives;

e) Propose the President of the Supreme People's Court to consider and protest according to the cassation and revision procedure against judgments and decisions of the Provincial People's Court, the Supreme People's Court's Appeal Tribunal that have taken legal effect in accordance with the law;

g) Perform other tasks and powers as prescribed by law."

13. Amend and supplement Article 81 as follows:

"Article 81. President of the People's Court of the Region

1. The President of the People's Court of the Region shall be appointed, relieved of duty, or dismissed by the President of the Supreme People's Court. The term of office for the President of the People's Court of the Region is five years from the date of appointment.

2. The President of the People's Court of the Region shall have the following duties and powers:

a) Organizing the trial work of the People's Court of the Region; being responsible for organizing the implementation of the principle that judges and lay judges exercise their judgment independently and only follow the law;

b) Implementing tasks and powers in organizational and personnel work according to the division of authority of the President of the Supreme People's Court;

c) Being responsible and reporting work to the President of the People's Court of the Province;

d) Proposing the President of the Supreme People's Court and the President of the People's Court of the Province to examine and appeal against judgments and decisions of the People's Court of the Region and the People's Court of the Province that have taken legal effect according to the provisions of the law through the cassation and revision procedures;

đ) Performing other tasks and powers as prescribed by law."

14. Amend and supplement Article 83 as follows:

"Article 83. Deputy President of the People's Court of the Province and the Region

1. The Deputy President of the People's Court of the Province and the Region shall be appointed, relieved of duty, or dismissed by the President of the Supreme People's Court.

The term of office for the Deputy President of the People's Court of the Province and the Region is five years from the date of appointment.

2. The Deputy President of the People's Court of the Province and the Region assists the President in performing tasks and powers according to the assignment of the President. When the President is absent, a Deputy President authorized by the President shall lead the work of the court. The Deputy President shall be responsible before the law and the President for the performance of assigned tasks and powers.

3. Performing tasks and powers as prescribed by the law on procedure; other tasks and powers as prescribed by law."

15. Amend and supplement Article 93 as follows:

"Article 93. Duties and Powers of Judge of the People's Court

1. Performing duties and powers as stipulated at points a, b, c, d, and đ Clause 2 Article 3 of this Law.

2. A Judge working at the Supreme People's Court has the following duties and powers:

a) Performing trial and case resolution tasks at the Cassation Division of the Supreme People's Court; performing trial and case resolution tasks at other courts according to the assignment of the President of the Supreme People's Court;

b) Reviewing and deciding on the acceptance of petitions, requests, and supervisory review proposals according to the assignment of the President of the Supreme People's Court;

c) Proposing to the President of the Supreme People's Court and the Judge of the Supreme People's Court on the resolution of petitions, requests, and supervisory review proposals;

d) Checking and evaluating evidence according to the law;

đ) Drafting reports and draft conclusions on the examination of case files, materials, and evidence of cases and matters where judgments and decisions of the court have taken legal effect and submitting them to the Judge of the Supreme People's Court, the President of the Supreme People's Court, and the Council of Judges of the Supreme People's Court;

e) Responding to petitions, requests, and supervisory review proposals according to the regulations of the President of the Supreme People's Court;

g) Proposing the President of the Supreme People's Court to resolve complaints in litigation activities according to the law on procedure;

h) Proposing the President of the Supreme People's Court to perform tasks and powers in execution of death sentences and in parole work according to the law;

i) Proposing the President of the Supreme People's Court and the Council of Judges of the Supreme People's Court to develop precedents for judgments and decisions of the court that have taken legal effect;

k) Proposing content for lessons learned and content to ensure uniform application of the law in practical trials and case resolutions.

3. Performing other tasks and powers as assigned by the President and prescribed by law."

16. Amend and supplement Clause 2 Article 95 as follows:

"2. In special cases, persons meeting the criteria stipulated in Clauses 1, 3, 5, and 6 of Article 94 of this Law may be appointed as Judges of the People's Court; if they are active military officers, they may be selected and appointed as Judges of the Military People's Courts under the following circumstances:

a) Having worked in legal affairs for ten years or more, and being transferred by competent authorities to assume leadership positions in the People's Court of the Region and the Military People's Court of the Region;

b) Having worked in legal affairs for fifteen years or more, and being transferred by competent authorities to assume leadership positions in the Cassation Division of the Supreme People's Court, the People's Court of the Province, the Military People's Court of the Military Zone and equivalent, and the Central Military People's Court."

17. Amend and supplement Article 96 as follows:

"Article 96. Standards and Conditions for Appointing Supreme People's Court Judges

1. A person who meets the standards prescribed in Clauses 1, 3, 5, and 6 of Article 94 of this Law and satisfies the following conditions may be selected and appointed as a Judge of the Supreme People's Court:

a) At least 45 years old;

b) Having at least 20 years of work experience in courts, including at least 10 years as a Judge of a People's Court. In special cases, they must have at least 5 years as a Judge of a People's Court or currently be a Judge of a People's Court and have at least 5 years of experience as a Department Head of a specialized department at the Supreme People's Court, with the number of appointments not exceeding 10% of the total number of Judges of the Supreme People's Court and approved by the competent authority;

c) Possessing the ability to adjudicate cases and matters within the jurisdiction of the Supreme People's Court as stipulated by law.

2. A person who does not work in courts but has high prestige in society, meeting the standards prescribed in Clause 1 and Clause 6 of Article 94 of this Law, satisfying the conditions for appointment specified in point a and point c of Clause 1 of this Article, and ensuring the prescribed procedures, may be selected and appointed as a Judge of the Supreme People's Court if they fall into one of the following categories:

a) Holding an important position in central agencies or organizations with profound knowledge about politics, law, economy, culture, society, security, defense, diplomacy;

b) Experts, lawyers, university lecturers, scientists with high qualifications in law, holding important positions in political agencies or organizations, political-social organizations, political-social-professional organizations, social-professional organizations.
3. The number of Judges of the Supreme People's Court selected and appointed according to the provisions of Clause 2 of this Article shall not exceed three persons."

18. Amend and supplement Clause 1 of Article 124 as follows:

"1. The system of electing lay judges shall be implemented for lay judges at provincial-level People's Courts and regional People's Courts."

19. Amend and supplement Clause 1 of Article 125 as follows:

"1. Lay judges perform their duties in adjudicating cases within the jurisdiction of the People's Court as assigned by the President of the People's Court where they were elected as lay judges."

20. Amend and supplement Clause 1 of Article 127 as follows:

"1. Provincial-level People's Courts propose the number and composition structure of lay judges at provincial-level People's Courts and regional People's Courts, and request the Provincial-level Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee to select and introduce individuals meeting the criteria prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 122 of this Law for the Provincial-level People's Council to elect lay judges.

The composition of lay judges must ensure a reasonable structure, suitable for the trial requirements of cases within the jurisdiction of the court and the situation and characteristics of the locality. The number of personnel proposed for election as lay judges must have a surplus.

After reaching consensus with the Provincial-level Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, the President of the Provincial-level People's Court proposes to the Provincial-level People's Council to relieve or dismiss lay judges."

21. Amend and supplement Clause 1 of Article 128 as follows:

"1. The term of office of lay judges at provincial-level People's Courts and regional People's Courts is the same as that of the Provincial-level People's Council that elected them. When the Provincial-level People's Council completes its term, lay judges continue to perform their duties until the new Provincial-level People's Council elects new lay judges."

22. Amend and supplement Clause 2 of Article 147 as follows:

"2. The operating budget of courts prescribed in Points a, b, c, and d of Clause 1 of Article 4 of this Law shall be decided by the National Assembly after consultation with the Supreme People's Court. If the Government and the Supreme People's Court cannot reach an agreement on the budget estimate for the operation of the courts, the President of the Supreme People's Court shall recommend the National Assembly to consider and decide."

23. Repeal Section 2 Chapter IV, Article 63, Article 79, Article 82, Clause 2 of Article 122, Clause 2 of Article 127.

Article 2. Amending and supplementing certain articles of related laws

1. Amending and supplementing Clause 3, Article 7 of the Commercial Arbitration Law No. 54/2010/QH12 as follows:

"3. The court with jurisdiction over the arbitration activities specified in Clause 1 and points a, b, c, d, đ, and e of Clause 2 of this Article is the People's Court at the locality.

The court with jurisdiction over the arbitration activities specified in point g of Clause 2 of this Article is some People's Courts at provincial level. The Standing Committee of the National Assembly shall specify the courts with jurisdiction and territorial scope of some People's Courts at provincial level for requests specified in point g of Clause 2 of this Article."

2. Amending and supplementing Clause 2, Article 44 of the Civil Aviation Law No. 66/2006/QH11, which has been amended and supplemented by Laws No. 45/2013/QH13, No. 61/2014/QH13, No. 16/2023/QH15, No. 18/2023/QH15, and No. 49/2024/QH15 as follows:

"2. The People's Court at the locality where the aircraft lands shall decide to seize the aircraft upon a written request from the owner or creditor if the aircraft is collateral for the creditor's debt, or upon a written request from a third party on the ground who suffered damage caused by the aircraft in flight or those who have rights and interests in the aircraft as provided for in this Law."

3. Amending and supplementing certain clauses of Article 11 of the State Secrets Protection Law No. 29/2018/QH14 as follows:

"a) Amend and supplement Point e of Clause 1 as follows:"

"e) The Chief Justice of the People's Court at provincial level, the Procurator General of the People's Procuracy at provincial level;"

In cases where written review opinions are solicited, the Ministry of Justice shall seek opinions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Science and Technology, relevant agencies and organizations, experts, and scientists.

"đ) The head of units subordinate to the People's Court at provincial level, the People's Procuracy at provincial level, except those with authority as stipulated in point b, Clause 3 of this Article; the Chief Justice of the People's Court, the Procurator General of the People's Procuracy at the locality;"

4. Amending and supplementing certain articles of the State Compensation Liability Law No. 10/2017/QH14 as follows:

a) Amending and supplementing Clause 3, Article 36 as follows:

"3. The People's Court at provincial level, the Central Military Court have jurisdiction for supervisory review and retrial are the agencies responsible for compensation in the following cases:
a) The Supreme Court's Bench cancels the supervisory review or retrial decision of the People's Court at provincial level, the Central Military Court, where the decision being canceled determined the defendant guilty and suspended the case due to the absence of criminal facts or actions not constituting a crime;

b) The Supreme Court's Bench cancels the supervisory review or retrial decision of the People's Court at provincial level, the Central Military Court, where the decision being canceled determined the defendant guilty for further investigation but later the suspect was suspended from investigation or the case was suspended due to the absence of criminal facts or actions not constituting a crime or the investigation period expired without proving the suspect committed the crime;

c) The Supreme Court's Bench cancels the supervisory review or retrial decision of the People's Court at provincial level, the Central Military Court, where the decision being canceled determined the defendant guilty for re-trial but later the defendant was acquitted due to the absence of criminal facts or actions not constituting a crime;"

b) Replacing the phrase "People's Court at district level" with the phrase "People's Court at locality" in the opening sentence of Clause 1, Article 53.

5. Amending and supplementing Article 130 of the Vietnam Maritime Code No. 95/2015/QH13, which has been amended and supplemented by Laws No. 35/2018/QH14 and No. 16/2023/QH15 as follows:

"Article 130. Competence to Decide on Seizing a Merchant Ship
1. The People's Court in the area where the port is located, in which the merchant ship subject to seizure is operating, has the competence to decide on seizing the merchant ship.

In cases where a port has several wharfs within the jurisdictional territory of different People's Courts of various communes, wards, and special administrative zones, the People's Court in the area where the wharf is located, in which the merchant ship subject to seizure is operating, has the competence to decide on seizing that merchant ship.

2. The People's Court handling the civil case, or the People's Court in the area where the Arbitration Council accepts the dispute, has the competence to decide on applying urgent provisional measures to seize the merchant ship.

The decision to seize the merchant ship by the Court shall be handed over to the Port Authority in two copies, one for implementation and one for the Port Authority to hand over to the captain of the seized ship for implementation.

3. The President of the Provincial People's Court shall examine and decide on the Court having the competence to decide on seizing the merchant ship in cases of disputes regarding competence among People's Courts in the same province or centrally governed city.

The President of the Supreme People's Court shall examine and decide on the Court having the competence to decide on seizing the merchant ship in cases of disputes regarding competence among People's Courts in different provinces or centrally governed cities.

6. Amend and supplement some articles of the Law on Petitions No. 02/2011/QH13, which has been amended and supplemented by some articles according to Law No. 42/2013/QH13, as follows:

a) Amend and supplement Clause 2 of Article 64 as follows:

"2. The Provincial People's Court, the Provincial People's Procuracy, and other agencies of political organizations and political-social organizations at the local level, within their functions, tasks, and powers, manage the work of handling petitions, regularly report to the same-level People's Committee about the work of handling petitions of their own agencies and organizations."

b) Amend and supplement Clause 3 of Article 65 as follows:

"3. The local People's Committee, the Provincial People's Court, and the Provincial People's Procuracy regularly report to the People's Council and inform the same-level Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee about the situation of petitions, administrative litigation cases, and the work of handling petitions and adjudicating administrative cases within their localities."

7. Amend and supplement some articles of the Law on Reporting Wrongdoing No. 25/2018/QH14, which has been amended and supplemented by some articles according to Law No. 59/2020/QH14, as follows:

a) Amend and supplement Article 14 as follows:

"Article 14. Competence to Handle Reports of Violations of Laws in Performing Duties and Official Tasks in the People's Court

1. The President of the People's Court in the area has the competence to handle reports of violations of laws in performing official duties of public officials directly managed by him/her.

2. The President of the Provincial People's Court has the following competences:

a) Handle reports of violations of laws in performing official duties of the President, Vice-President of the People's Court in the area, and other public officials directly managed by him/her;

b) Handle reports of violations of laws in performing official duties of the People's Court in the area.

3. The President of the Supreme People's Court has the following competences:

a) Handle reports of violations of laws in performing official duties of the President, Vice-President of the Provincial People's Court; and the performance of tasks and official duties of other public officials and staff directly managed by him/her;

b) Handle reports of violations of laws in performing tasks and official duties of agencies and organizations directly managed by him/her, and of the Provincial People's Court.

b) Amend and supplement Clause 2 of Article 60 as follows:

"2. The Provincial People's Court, the Provincial People's Procuracy, and other state agencies, other agencies of political organizations and political-social organizations at the local level, within their tasks and powers, manage the work of handling reports of wrongdoing; annually submit reports on the work of handling reports of wrongdoing within their management scope to the same-level People's Committee for consolidation and reporting to the People's Council."

8. Amend and supplement Clause 4 of Article 66 of the Law on Children No. 102/2016/QH13, which has been amended and supplemented by some articles according to Law No. 28/2018/QH14 and Law No. 59/2024/QH15, as follows:

"4. The People's Court in the area decides on alternative care for children as provided for in Clause 2 of Article 62 of this Law upon the proposal of agencies, organizations, or individuals responsible for protecting children as prescribed by law."

9. Amend and supplement some articles of the Law on Enforcement of Civil Judgments No. 26/2008/QH12, which has been amended and supplemented by some articles according to Law No. 64/2014/QH13, Law No. 23/2018/QH14, Law No. 67/2020/QH14, Law No. 03/2022/QH15, Law No. 31/2024/QH15, Law No. 43/2024/QH15, and Law No. 59/2024/QH15, as follows:

a) Amend and supplement Article 35 as follows:

"Article 35. Enforcement Authority

1. The Civil Enforcement Agency at the provincial level shall have the authority to enforce the following judgments and decisions:

a) First-instance judgments and decisions of the People's Court of the region; first-instance, second-instance, supervisory review, and retrial judgments and decisions of the People's Court at the provincial level where the Civil Enforcement Agency has its headquarters;

b) Second-instance judgments and decisions of the Supreme People's Court of Appeals on judgments and decisions of the People's Court at the provincial level where the Civil Enforcement Agency has its headquarters;

c) Supervisory review and retrial decisions of the Supreme People's Court on judgments and decisions of the People's Court at the provincial level where the Civil Enforcement Agency has its headquarters;

d) Supervisory review and retrial decisions of the Supreme People's Court on judgments and decisions of the Supreme People's Court of Appeals where the People's Court at the provincial level that conducted the first-instance trial has its headquarters;

đ) Decisions of the Supreme People's Court transferred to the Civil Enforcement Agency at the provincial level;

e) Judgments and decisions of foreign courts, foreign arbitral awards recognized and enforced in Vietnam;

g) Arbitral awards and decisions of commercial arbitration;

h) Decisions on competition cases of the Chairman of the National Competition Council, the Competition Case Resolution Board, and decisions resolving complaints about competition case resolution decisions of the Chairman of the National Competition Council, the Complaint Resolution Board;

i) Judgments and decisions entrusted by other Civil Enforcement Agencies;

k) Decisions applying measures for redirected compensation of the Investigative Agency, the People's Procuracy, and the People's Court where the Civil Enforcement Agency has its headquarters;

l) Other judgments and decisions as prescribed by law.

2. The Military Zone Enforcement Agency shall have the authority to enforce the following judgments and decisions:

a) Decisions regarding fines, confiscation of assets, recovery of money, proceeds from unlawful gains, handling of evidence, assets, court fees, and civil decisions within criminal judgments and decisions of the Military Court of the Military Zone and equivalent courts within their jurisdiction;

b) Decisions regarding fines, confiscation of assets, recovery of money, proceeds from unlawful gains, handling of evidence, assets, court fees, and civil decisions within criminal judgments and decisions of the Regional Military Court within their jurisdiction;

c) Decisions regarding fines, confiscation of assets, handling of evidence, assets, recovery of money, proceeds from unlawful gains, court fees, and civil decisions within criminal judgments and decisions of the Central Military Court transferred to the Military Zone Enforcement Agency;

d) Civil decisions of the Supreme People's Court transferred to the Military Zone Enforcement Agency;

đ) Decisions applying measures for redirected compensation of the Investigative Agency in the People's Army, the Military Procuracy, and the Military Court where the Military Zone Enforcement Agency has its headquarters;

e) Judgments and decisions entrusted by other Civil Enforcement Agencies;

g) Other judgments and decisions as prescribed by law.

b) Amending and supplementing point đ Clause 1 Article 48 as follows:

"đ) The enforcement of judgments and decisions is within the period during which the competent authority interprets the judgment or decision and responds to the requests of the Civil Enforcement Agency according to points b Clause 2, point d Clause 3 Article 170 and Clause 2 Article 179 of this Law;"

c) Amending and supplementing Clause 1 Article 63 as follows:

"1. The examination and granting of exemption or reduction of enforcement obligations for state budget revenue falls under the jurisdiction of the People's Court of the region, the Military Court of the region (hereinafter referred to collectively as the People's Court of the region and equivalent courts) where the Civil Enforcement Agency conducting the enforcement has its headquarters."

d) Amending and supplementing Article 170 as follows:

"Article 170. Tasks and powers of the Court in civil enforcement proceedings

1. Tasks and powers of the Supreme People's Court:

a) Coordinate with the Ministry of Justice in issuing legal documents on civil enforcement proceedings;

b) Require civil enforcement agencies to report on the results of enforcing judgments and decisions when necessary;

c) Review decisions on exemption and reduction of civil enforcement according to the provisions of the law through the retrial procedure;

d) Resolve requests and directives from lower courts to resolve requests and directives from civil enforcement agencies within the time limit prescribed by law;

đ) Direct lower courts to coordinate with relevant agencies in civil enforcement proceedings;

e) Coordinate with the Ministry of Justice in summarizing civil enforcement work.

2. Tasks and powers of the Central Military Court:

a) Require civil enforcement agencies to report on the results of enforcing judgments and decisions when necessary;

b) Respond to requests from civil enforcement agencies regarding reconsideration of judgments and decisions of the court through the cassation and retrial procedures within ninety days from the date of receipt of the request;

c) Review decisions on exemption and reduction of civil enforcement according to the provisions of the law through the retrial procedure.

3. Tasks and powers of the Provincial People's Court:

a) Transfer judgments, decisions, related documents, and evidence to civil enforcement agencies as prescribed by this Law;

b) Resolve objections concerning decisions on exemption and reduction of civil enforcement obligations for state budget revenues according to the provisions of this Law;

c) Require civil enforcement agencies to report on the results of enforcing judgments and decisions when necessary;

d) Respond to requests from civil enforcement agencies regarding reconsideration of judgments and decisions of the court through the cassation and retrial procedures within ninety days from the date of receipt of the request;

đ) Resolve requests and objections from civil enforcement agencies and monitor the results after the court responds;

e) Review decisions on exemption and reduction of civil enforcement according to the provisions of the law through the retrial procedure.

4. Tasks and powers of the People's Court at the district level and equivalent, the Military Court at the military region level and equivalent:

a) Transfer judgments, decisions, related documents, and evidence to civil enforcement agencies as prescribed by this Law;

b) Decide on exemption and reduction of civil enforcement obligations for state budget revenues;

c) Accept and promptly resolve requests from civil enforcement agencies, parties regarding determination of ownership, division of property, or resolution of disputes over ownership and use of property; revoke documents and transactions arising during the enforcement process within the jurisdiction of the court;

d) Resolve requests and objections from civil enforcement agencies and monitor the results after the court responds.

5. When reviewing a case where a judgment or decision has been partially or entirely annulled according to a cassation or retrial decision, the court must resolve issues related to assets and obligations that have been enforced according to the effective judgment or decision but were annulled.

10. Amend and supplement Clause 3 of Article 16 of the Anti-Corruption Law No. 36/2018/QH14 which has been amended and supplemented by Law No. 59/2020/QH14 as follows:

"3. The provincial People's Court and the provincial People's Procuracy shall be responsible for coordinating with the provincial People's Committee in building reports on anti-corruption work in their locality."

11. Amend, supplement, and abolish some articles of the Mutual Legal Assistance Law No. 08/2007/QH12 as follows:

a) Amend and supplement Article 38 as follows:

"Article 38. Receiving extradition requests

Within twenty days from the date of receiving the extradition request and accompanying documents, the Ministry of Public Security shall enter the extradition file into the record and examine the file according to the provisions of Article 36 of this Law. The Ministry of Public Security may request the competent authority of the requesting country to provide additional information about the file. If, sixty days after sending a request for additional information, no additional information is received, the Ministry of Public Security shall return the file to the requesting country and specify the reasons. In the case of a valid file, the Ministry of Public Security shall immediately transfer two copies of the file to the competent People's Court for examination and decision.";

b) Amend and supplement Clause 1 of Article 39 as follows:

"1. In cases where the Ministry of Public Security receives documents from two or more countries requesting extradition of a person for the same crime or different crimes, the Ministry of Public Security shall lead coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme People's Procuracy, and the Supreme People's Court to consider and decide to grant extradition to one of the requesting countries and transfer the extradition request file to the competent People's Court for examination and decision on extradition.";

c) Amend and supplement Article 40 as follows:

"Article 40. Decision on Extradition

1. Within ten working days from the date of receipt of the extradition request file transferred by the Ministry of Public Security, the People's Court of the locality where the person requested for extradition resides, is temporarily detained, held in custody, or serving a prison sentence must accept the case and notify in writing the same-level People's Procuracy. During the preparation period for considering the extradition request, the People's Court of the locality has the right to request the competent authority of the foreign country to clarify unclear points in the extradition request file. The extradition request document and the reply document are sent through the Ministry of Public Security.

2. Within four months from the date of acceptance, depending on each case, the People's Court of the locality shall issue one of the following decisions:

a) Consider the extradition request when all conditions stipulated by this Law are met;

b) Suspend the consideration of the extradition request and return the file to the Ministry of Public Security in cases where it does not fall within its jurisdiction, or the foreign country withdraws the extradition request, or the person requested for extradition has left Vietnam, or for other reasons making the consideration impossible.

3. The People's Court of the locality shall consider the extradition request within thirty days from the date of issuing the decision as provided for in point a clause 2 of this Article and immediately transfer a copy of the file to the same-level People's Procuracy.

4. The consideration of the extradition request shall be conducted at a session presided over by a panel consisting of three judges, including one judge as the chairperson, with the participation of a Prosecutor from the same-level People's Procuracy.

The panel considering the extradition request works according to the following procedure:

a) A member of the panel presents the content of the extradition request file of the requesting country and states their opinion on the legal basis for extradition;

b) The Prosecutor expresses the viewpoint of the same-level People's Procuracy regarding the extradition;

c) The lawyer or the legitimate representative of the person requested for extradition presents their opinion, if any;

d) The person requested for extradition presents their opinion;

đ) Based on the provisions of this Law, other relevant Vietnamese laws, and international treaties to which Vietnam is a party, the panel discusses and decides by majority on whether to extradite or refuse extradition.

5. At the latest within ten working days from the date of issuance of the extradition or refusal decision, the People's Court of the locality sends the decision to the person requested for extradition, the same-level People's Procuracy, the Ministry of Public Security to implement the rights and obligations as prescribed by law.

The person requested for extradition has the right to appeal, the same-level People's Procuracy has the right to lodge a protest within fifteen days, the provincial-level People's Procuracy has the right to lodge a protest within thirty days from the date the People's Court of the locality issues the decision. The People's Court of the locality must send the file and appeal, protest to the provincial-level People's Court within seven days from the end of the appeal, protest period.

Within twenty days from the date of receipt of the extradition file and appeal, protest, the provincial-level People's Court convenes a session to review the decision of the People's Court of the locality that was appealed or protested; the appellate review panel decides on the matter of extradition or refusal of extradition. The procedure for reviewing appeals and protests against the extradition decision of the People's Court of the locality is implemented according to the provisions of clause 4 of this Article.

6. The extradition decision takes legal effect including:

a) The first-instance court's decision on extradition not being appealed or protested;

b) The appellate court's decision on extradition.

d) Amend and supplement clause 1 of Article 42 as follows:

"1. Within five working days from the date the People's Court's decision on extradition becomes legally effective, the President of the People's Court of the locality with jurisdiction shall issue a decision to enforce the extradition decision. The enforcement decision must be sent to the same-level People's Procuracy, the Ministry of Public Security, the requesting country, and the person to be extradited."

đ) Amend and supplement clause 2 of Article 43 as follows:

"2. In the event that the requesting country does not accept the extradition beyond the agreed time limit by the related countries in writing, the Ministry of Public Security shall recommend the People's Court of the locality that issued the extradition decision to revoke the enforcement decision and inform the requesting country."

e) Amend and supplement clause 1 of Article 44 as follows:

"1. When the person requested for extradition is being criminally prosecuted or serving a sentence on the territory of Vietnam for a crime that is not the subject of the extradition request, the People's Court of the locality that issued the extradition decision may itself or upon the proposal of the same-level People's Procuracy or the competent public security authority suspend the enforcement of the extradition decision until the criminal prosecution process ends or the full or partial sentence is completed. The Ministry of Public Security must notify in writing the requesting country about the suspension of extradition at least ten working days before the expiration of the suspension period of the enforcement decision. The President of the People's Court of the locality that suspended the enforcement decision must issue a decision to enforce the extradition decision and immediately send the decision along with related documents and files to the enforcement agency to inform the requesting country and continue the extradition process according to specific agreements with the requesting country."

g) Amend and supplement Article 45 as follows:

"Article 45. Re-extradition

In the case where a person who has been extradited evades criminal prosecution or execution of punishment abroad and returns to Vietnam, the requesting State may request re-extradition of that person along with the documents specified in Articles 36 and 37 of this Law; in such cases, the People's Court at the region shall not conduct again the extradition decision procedure as stipulated in Article 40 of this Law; the President of the People's Court at the region which previously decided on extradition shall decide on re-extradition of that person. The transfer of the person subject to re-extradition shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 43 of this Law.

h) Amend and supplement Article 54 as follows:

"Article 54. Acceptance of Requests for Transfer of Persons Serving Sentences

Within twenty days from the date of receipt of the file of the request for transfer of persons serving sentences and accompanying documents, the Ministry of Public Security shall record the transfer file and examine the file in accordance with the provisions of Articles 52 and 53 of this Law. The Ministry of Public Security may request the competent authority of the requesting State to provide additional information about the file. After sixty days from the date of sending the document requesting additional information without receiving additional information, the Ministry of Public Security shall return the file to the requesting State and clearly state the reasons. If the file is valid, the Ministry of Public Security shall immediately transfer two copies of the file to the competent People's Court for examination and decision.

i) Amend and supplement Article 55 as follows:

"Article 55. Decision on Transfer of Persons Serving Sentences in Vietnam to Foreign Countries

1. Within ten working days from the date of receipt of the complete file of the request for transfer of persons serving sentences in Vietnam to foreign countries transferred by the Ministry of Public Security, the People's Court at the place where the convicted person is serving the sentence must accept the case and notify in writing the same-level People's Procuracy. During the preparation period for examining the request for transfer, the People's Court has the right to request the competent authority of the foreign country to clarify unclear points in the request file. The request document and the reply document shall be sent through the Ministry of Public Security.

2. Within thirty days from the date of acceptance, depending on each case, the People's Court at the region shall issue one of the following decisions:

a) Examine the request for transfer when all conditions prescribed in Article 50 of this Law are met;

b) Suspend the examination of the request for transfer and return the file to the Ministry of Public Security in cases where it does not fall within its jurisdiction or the competent authority of the foreign country or the requesting party withdraws the request for transfer or the person requested for transfer has left Vietnam or for other reasons making the examination impossible.

3. The People's Court at the region shall examine the request for transfer within thirty days from the date of issuing the decision as stipulated in point a, Clause 2 of this Article and immediately transfer one copy of the file to the same-level People's Procuracy.

4. The examination of the request for transfer shall be conducted at a session attended by a Council consisting of three judges, including one judge presiding over the session, and the participation of a Prosecutor from the same-level People's Procuracy.

The Council examining the request for transfer shall work according to the following procedures:

a) A member of the Council shall present the content of the file of the requesting State and express opinions on the legal basis for the transfer;

b) The Prosecutor expresses the viewpoint of the People's Procuracy regarding the transfer;

c) The lawyer or the lawful representative of the person requested for transfer shall present their opinions if any;

d) The requesting party shall present their opinions;

đ) Based on the provisions of this Law, relevant Vietnamese laws, and international treaties to which Vietnam is a party, the Council shall discuss and decide by majority on whether to transfer or refuse the transfer.

5. Not later than ten working days from the date of issuance of the decision on transfer or refusal to transfer, the People's Court at the region shall send the decision to the person to be transferred, the same-level People's Procuracy, and the Ministry of Public Security to implement rights and obligations as prescribed by law.

The requesting party has the right to appeal, the same-level People's Procuracy has the right to lodge a protest within fifteen days, and the provincial-level People's Procuracy has the right to lodge a protest within thirty days from the date the People's Court at the region issues the decision. The People's Court at the region must send the file and appeal/protest to the provincial-level People's Court within seven days from the end of the appeal/protest period.

Within twenty days from the date of receipt of the transfer file and appeal/protest, the provincial-level People's Court shall convene a session to review the decision of the People's Court at the region being appealed/protested; the Council reviewing the appeal shall decide on the transfer or refusal to transfer. The procedure for reviewing appeals and protests against the decision on transfer by the People's Court at the region shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clause 4 of this Article.

6. The decision on transfer shall have legal effect including:

a) The first-instance court's decision on extradition not being appealed or protested;

b) The decision of the appellate court.

k) Amend and supplement Article 56 as follows:

"Article 56. Competence to Decide on Accepting Persons Serving Sentences Abroad Back to Vietnam

The People's Court of the region where the person being transferred has their last place of residence in Vietnam shall decide on the acceptance. The procedures and formalities for considering the acceptance shall be carried out in accordance with Article 55 of this Law."

l) Amend and supplement Article 68 as follows:

"Article 68. Responsibilities of the People's Court of the Region and the Provincial People's Court

1. Responsibilities of the People's Court of the Region:

a) Implement judicial assistance from foreign countries in accordance with this Law;

b) Examine and decide on extradition, transfer of persons serving sentences or refuse extradition, transfer of persons serving sentences in accordance with this Law;

c) Carry out other forms of judicial assistance within its competence;

d) Report the results of judicial assistance to the Provincial People's Court for consolidation and report to the Supreme People's Court.

2. Responsibilities of the Provincial People's Court:

a) Examine appeals and protests against decisions on extradition, transfer of persons serving sentences within its competence;

b) Report the results of judicial assistance to the Supreme People's Court.";

m) Repeal Clause 2 of Article 63.

12. Replace the phrase "People's Court of the District" with the phrase "People's Court of the Region" in Clause 4 of Article 33, Clause 3 and Clause 4 of Article 34 of the Law on Prevention and Control of Drugs No. 73/2021/QH14.

13. Replace the phrase "People's Court of the District" with the phrase "People's Court of the Region" in Clause 3 of Article 123 of the Law on Marriage and Family No. 52/2014/QH13.

Article 3. Effectiveness

This Law takes effect from July 1, 2025.

This Law was adopted by the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Session9 on the 24th 21, 2024 2025.