Legal basis: "Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China"
Article 186: After the people's court reviews the case for public prosecution, the criminal facts alleged in the indictment are clear , a decision should be made to hold a court hearing.
Article 187: After the People's Court decides to hold a trial, it shall determine the members of the collegial panel and serve a copy of the People's Procuratorate's indictment to the defendant and his defender ten days before the hearing. Before the trial, the judge may convene the prosecutor, parties, defenders, and agents ad litem to learn about trial-related issues such as recusal, the list of witnesses appearing in court, the exclusion of illegal evidence, and listen to their opinions. After the People's Court determines the date of the hearing, it shall notify the People's Procuratorate of the time and place of the hearing, summon the parties, and notify the defenders, agents ad litem, witnesses, appraisers, and translators. Summons and notices should be served at least three days before the court date. For cases that are to be heard in public, the cause of the case, the name of the defendant, the time and location of the hearing shall be announced in advance three days before the hearing. The above-mentioned activities shall be recorded in the transcript and signed by the adjudicator and the clerk.