Civil Procedure in Japan

Book excerpt: The only book of its kind available in English, Civil Procedure in Japan is the most reliable and comprehensive reference on the broad subject of the Japanese civil justice system. Civil Procedure in Japan discusses the problems encountered in litigating a civil controversy in the chronological order in which they are most likely to arise. Since civil procedure, as all law, is a product of historical developments and since it cannot be understood without reference to the political structure within it is to operate, Chapter 1 presents the historical background to date of the development of court procedure. The chapter looks at Japan's political organization (Executive, Legislative, etc), the court structure, and the sources of law. Chapter 2 is devoted to a look at the world of Japanese Legal Profession including legal education and non-Japanese lawyers in Japan, while Chapter 3 is an overview of the Judiciary as a whole. Chapter 4 sets forth the basic concepts involved in the judiciary authority and its interface with other governmental authorities. Subsequent chapters deal with practical issues of civil procedure, starting with Chapter 5 through Chapter 8, the trial is traced from beginning (parties to action and pre-commencement preparation including provisional remedies) through appellate procedures. Chapters 8 and 9 deal with various judicial proceedings outside of typical civil actions. Chapter 11 specifically explains various insolvency proceedings from straight bankruptcy to corporate reorganization. Chapter 12 is devoted to the arbitration law of 2002. Chapter 13 is about various terms of the court costs. Enforcement of civil judgments is treated in detail in Chapter 14. Finally, Chapter 15 is reserved for international cooperation in litigation and sets forth Japan's bilateral arrangements for international co-operation. Furthermore, appendices include an English translation of the Code and Rules of Civil Procedure of 1996 and other important statutes, English translations of sample judgments, glossaries, bibliography, ect.