BEIJING -- The Supreme People's Court and Supreme People's Procuratorate have ordered Chinese courts to hear the appeals of those sentenced to death in an open courtroom.

The order is effective as of Monday.

The same requirement also applies to appeals of those sentenced to death penalty with a two year reprieve if the convicted or their lawyers provide new evidence that might effect the results of their original trail.

Presidents of courts or tribunals must acts as presiding judges of serious and complicated cases, said the document.

It requires witnesses, evidence appraisers and victims to testify.

Case files must be thoroughly checked with the focus on new evidence, testimony of defendants and an examination of the laws on which the original verdict is based.