The criminal cases of first instance under the jurisdiction of the Higher People's Court are major criminal cases in the whole province (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government). The Higher People's Court also has jurisdiction over a few civil cases of first instance, that is, civil cases with great influence within its jurisdiction.
When necessary, the people's court at a higher level may try criminal cases of first instance under the jurisdiction of the people's court at a lower level. A criminal case of first instance that the people's court at a lower level considers that the case is serious and complicated and needs to be tried by the people's court at a higher level may request to be transferred to the people's court at a higher level for trial.