The range of responsibilities include judicial process, drafting legislation, developing legal framework, participating in national and international treaties, prosecution and sentencing.

[1] The ministry also ensures the maintenance and improvement of China's system of law and justice and its national security.

In 1959, the judicial administrative organs were abolished, and in 1979, the Standing Committee of the Fifth National People's Congress decided to re-establish the Ministry of Justice.

[2] In March 2018, the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council was absorbed into the MOJ.

[3] The MOJ houses the Office of the Central Comprehensive Law-based Governance Commission.