Northern Song Trial Court

The Case Review Court as the unique organization of the Song Dynasty and the feudal era has a profound impact on the judicial system and judicial procedure in the early Northern Song Dynasty in its existence for nearly a century of time. Furthermore, the Case Review Court is an important organization of the Northern Song Dynasty Central Judicial Institutions in fields of strengthening the Central Judicial centralization, cautious punishment, which reflects law thoughts and the humanities spirit. As a specifically established cautious punishment organization of the central judicial system, it plays a pivotal role in the Northern Song Dynasty after the founding of the judicial practice and system construction for nearly a century.This article is based on the study of the Song Dynasty's historical records, analyses the setting function, causes, review the evolution of program activities and other aspects of the Case Review Court, and focuses on how the Case Review Court highlighted the judicial system of the "humanistic spirit" and played a positive role in the judicial review activities. With case instance which appeared after the Case Review Court established as a starting point, This article comprehensively and profoundly expounds the Case Review Court from the perspective of humanistic care which previous less involved. The fundamental reason of the Case Review Court can reflect cautious punishment and protection of right to life which are the main conclusions are as follows:1. The influence of Chinese ancient traditional thought of cautious punishment.2. The Northern Song Dynasty advocated cautious punishment forgiveness governing style and judicial philosophy.3. The rulers toke law seriously and officials at all levels must be familiar with the law as the necessary conditions. All above are the keys to the Case Review Court became the core of the central judicial review system during this period.