Filing Civil Lawsuits Online: 9 Digital Court Procedures Under Resolution 01/2026/NQ-HDTP Effective from March 1, 2026

29-04-26 Việt Quang

From March 1, 2026, Resolution No. 01/2026/NQ-HDTP issued by the Judicial Council of the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam officially takes effect, ushering in a new era of digital litigation across the country’s court system. Individuals and businesses involved in civil disputes may now file lawsuits, submit evidence, pay court fees and even attend hearings — all through digital channels, without physical appearance. This marks the most significant transformation in Vietnam’s civil procedure in more than a decade.

Background: How Was Resolution 01/2026/NQ-HDTP Enacted?

The Judicial Council of the Supreme People’s Court issued Resolution No. 01/2026/NQ-HDTP on January 15, 2026, providing guidance on implementing digital litigation and judicial administrative procedures at the People’s Courts. The Resolution entered into force on March 1, 2026 — just 45 days after its issuance.

Its legal foundation derives from the Law Amending and Supplementing Several Articles of the Civil Procedure Code, Law on Administrative Procedure, Bankruptcy Law, and Law on Conciliation and Dialogue at Courts (effective July 1, 2025), which established the legal framework for judicial digital transformation. Resolution 01/2026 translates those statutory provisions into concrete operational procedures across the national court system.

Additionally, Consolidated Document No. 21/VBHN-VPQH of 2026 (issued by the National Assembly Office on February 12, 2026) has consolidated all amendments into the current Civil Procedure Code, creating a unified legal text for reference and application.

9 Procedures Now Available Online — Complete List

Under Resolution 01/2026/NQ-HDTP, the following 9 groups of litigation and judicial administrative procedures may be performed digitally, carrying the same legal validity as in-person submission:

Filing statements of claim, petitions, appeals, applications, recommendations, complaints and denunciations — submitted by individuals/businesses through the court’s public service system.
Providing and submitting documents and evidence — image files and PDFs carry evidentiary value when authenticated through proper procedures.
Issuing, serving and notifying procedural documents — summonses and hearing schedules delivered via registered email addresses or phone numbers.
Paying provisional court fees, court charges and litigation costs — payment via the National Public Service Portal or other lawful electronic payment methods.
Conducting hearings and sessions to resolve cases — parties log in to the court’s online information or hearing system as notified by the court.
Issuing excerpts, copies of judgments and court decisions — digital copies with digital signatures replace paper originals.
Transferring case files, documents, evidence and procedural documents between courts — accelerating internal transfers within the judicial system.
Digitising and archiving case files, documents and evidence — ensuring long-term electronic preservation of case records.
Filing appeals through digital channels — defendants/parties may submit appeal documents online from March 1, 2026.

How Do Online Hearings Work?

One of the most groundbreaking aspects of Resolution 01/2026 is the authorisation of online civil hearings. Courts may issue decisions to conduct sessions or trials online; parties are required to log in to the court’s information system or online hearing platform as notified and participate in accordance with applicable rules.

The specific process involves: the court sending a notification with a link and access code to registered digital addresses; parties verifying their identity before joining; the entire hearing being audio and video recorded and preserved as required. All procedural acts performed during online hearings carry the same legal effect as those at in-person hearings.

The Resolution affirms a foundational principle: litigation and judicial administrative procedures conducted through digital means carry the same legal validity as other methods prescribed by law — ensuring no discriminatory treatment between parties who submit documents in person and those who file online.

Circular 07/2026/TT-TANDTC: Supreme Court Judges Must Handle At Least 5 Cases Per Year

Alongside this digitalisation drive, on April 1, 2026, the Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court issued Circular No. 07/2026/TT-TANDTC on the adjudicative duties of Supreme People’s Court judges (effective June 1, 2026). Notably, each judge serving at the central institution must participate in adjudicating and resolving a minimum of 5 cases per year.

Assignments are tiered by judicial rank: Grade 1 judges are assigned to district-level courts; Grade 2 judges to provincial and district-level courts; Grade 3 judges may participate at the Supreme Court’s Appellate Chamber and provincial courts. Chief Justices of receiving courts are responsible for assigning clerks, legal assistants and providing necessary facilities.

The Circular sends a clear message: those holding the highest judicial titles must not become disconnected from adjudication — ensuring the quality, practicality and accountability of judicial leadership in the digital age.

Practical Implications

The rollout of digital litigation has particularly significant practical implications for the following groups:

Businesses in contract disputes, debt recovery, and breach of obligation cases — reduced travel costs and time for preliminary hearings and conciliation sessions; ability to submit supplementary evidence promptly without attending court in person.
Individuals in remote areas with land, inheritance or loan disputes — significantly reduced geographical barriers; parties in distant provinces may file claims or appeals online without days of travel.
Lawyers and authorised representatives — ability to file documents in multiple cases at different courts in a single working session; tracking case progress online instead of making in-person inquiries.
Parties in the appeal stage — appeal deadlines are calculated from the moment the system records a valid electronic filing, reducing the risk of missing deadlines due to postal disruptions or travel issues.

According to data from District-Level Court No. 4 of Khanh Hoa Province, the successful conciliation rate reached 229 out of 818 cases (27.9%) in the first six months of the 2026 working term. With expanded digital channels, the volume of accepted cases is expected to increase, and the timely resolution rate should improve significantly.

Recommendations for Businesses

Register an account on the Court’s Public Service System before any litigation need arises; keep your registered email address and phone number accurate to receive electronic service within required timeframes.
Prepare documentary evidence in digital format from the outset — contracts, appendices and acceptance minutes should be electronically signed or certified-copy scanned and ready for upload when needed.
Note the moment your electronic filing is recorded as valid — the system will issue a confirmation code with a timestamp, which is the legally significant moment affecting statutes of limitation and procedural deadlines.
Consult a lawyer before participating in online hearings — particularly in high-value asset disputes or significant commercial contracts; online hearings require concurrent technical and legal preparation.
Follow detailed guidance from the court handling your case — each court may have specific technical procedures in the early rollout phase; contact the support department for specific instructions.

MT & Partners Law Firm, with a team of experienced lawyers specialising in civil disputes, court litigation and corporate advisory, is ready to assist clients with all legal matters. Whether you are preparing to file a claim, file a counterclaim, lodge an appeal, or simply wish to understand your rights before entering the courtroom — we are here to guide you every step of the way. Contact our hotline at 0987140772 or email info@mtpartners.vn for a consultation.

(*) This article is for reference purposes only and does not substitute specific legal advice.

Keywords: file civil lawsuit online, digital court procedures, Resolution 01/2026/NQ-HDTP, civil dispute Vietnam 2026, online court hearing Vietnam, file appeal online, new civil procedure rules, digital court Vietnam, Civil Procedure Code 2026, civil litigation lawyer Vietnam, MT Partners Law Firm, litigation legal advice