Meaning
Official stamps placed on property or documents indicate that they are under the direct control of the court. A judicial seal consists of a paper strip or a physical mark bearing the name of the People’s Court and the date of the action. Breaking or tampering with this seal is a criminal offense that carries penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment.
Physical Application
Enforcement officers apply the paper strip across the door of a warehouse or the control panel of a machine to stop its use. The judicial seal acts as a public notice that the asset is no longer available for trade or operation by the owner. It is used during property preservation or the execution of a final judgment to secure inventory.
Legal Effect
Affixing this mark creates a legal barrier that prevents the transfer of ownership or the movement of goods. When a judicial seal is present, the property cannot be sold, leased, mortgaged or used as collateral for loans. This status remains until the court issues a formal notice of release and physically removes the seal from the item.
Custody Protocol
Owners of the sealed assets often remain responsible for their maintenance while the items are prohibited from use. A judicial seal does not always mean the property is moved to a court warehouse, but it does mean the owner acts as a temporary custodian for the state. If the goods are damaged or lost while the seal is intact, the custodian faces legal liability for the full value of the property.
This responsibility includes protecting the items from environmental damage or theft throughout the duration of the court order.
