Analysis of Regional Characteristics of Litigation Environment in Fujian Province in Qing Dynasty

Abstract

Based on the investigation of local chronicles, it is found that the litigation environment of Fujian province in Qing dynasty has certain regional characteristics. Compared with inland provinces, the types of litigation in Fujian province in Qing dynasty showed the characteristics of sea frontier areas. The frequently occurred armed fight (fight with weapons between groups of people), false incrimination (the false accusation of the other side in a murder case), farmland dispute (a dispute over land) and dispute over water conservation, truly reflected the governance dilemma of population explosion and insufficient survival resources faced by local social governance of Fujian province in the Qing dynasty. Through the comparison of prefectures in Fujian province, it is also found that the typical lawsuit types and causes are different in southern Fujian, western Fujian and central Fujian. Behind the different causes of litigation, the unique regional governance problems in different regions are reflected. In dealing with local government affairs and lawsuits, local officials should understand local characteristics and learn how to "enforce law according to local conditions".