---
title: "Civil Code of the PRC — Definition & Meaning"
description: "The Civil Code of the PRC is China's first codified private law, effective from January 1, 2021, unifying various civil statutes into one comprehensive code."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/civil-code-of-the-prc"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Civil Code of the PRC is China's first codified compendium of private law, adopted in 2020 and effective 1 January 2021, governing personality, property, contract, marriage, inheritance and tort.
- When was the Civil Code of the PRC adopted and when did it take effect?
- How is the Civil Code structured?
- What is the divorce cooling-off period and where is it found?
- Why is the Civil Code significant for the Shenlun exam?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

The Civil Code of the PRC is China's first codified compendium of private law, adopted in 2020 and effective 1 January 2021, governing personality, property, contract, marriage, inheritance and tort.

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## Timeline

1. 1 January 2021

   The Civil Code of the PRC is China's first codified compendium of private law, adopted in 2020 and effective , governing personality, property, contract, mar…

2. 28 May 2020

   The Civil Code of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国民法典) is the first statute in the PRC's history to bear the title "Code" (法典), adopted by the Third S…

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Example

On 1 January 2021 the Civil Code took effect, and Chinese registries immediately began applying its Article 1077 thirty-day divorce "cooling-off period," sharply reducing same-day agreed divorces nationwide that year.

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