China's judicial reform: Judges on track to improve trial quality, efficiency

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Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in late 2012, a number of judicial reforms have been implemented across China. In the past two years, these included limiting the number of judges and increasing their responsibilities to improve the quality of case trials.

Tang Nandong, 37, has spent four years working as judge at the People's Court of Wuhou District in southwestern Chengdu City. Before landing the position, she spent five years doing legal research.

Tang Nandong is at a court session. She handled more than 400 cases in 2017, and 500 the year before. /CGTN Photo

The court cut its number of judges in 2016, as part of its judicial system reform. As a result, 35 percent of the 97-member judges were removed, and Tang remained on the new team, 63 in total.

Tang said to CGTN, "I can feel an improved sense of respect and honor by taking up the new position. The reform allows me to focus on case trials."

Tang has been assigned a full-time legal assistant to help relieve the pressure. But there's one function only she can do – signing court decisions, and holding them with lifelong responsibilities, as stipulated by judicial reform. /CGTN Photo

As a court veteran, Wang Jiazhou has been a judge for 20 years. He signed more than 3,000 court decisions during his term as presiding judge. Wang says the change is necessary to hone judges’ professional skills.

Tang Nandong provides legal consultancy to local communities in Wuhou District. /CGTN Photo

In early 2017, the court implemented a system to mediate cases so they wouldn't have to reach the trial phase. Tang is among more than 100 judges and lawyers providing legal consultancy to local communities in Wuhou District. It pays off. Last year alone, some 5,000 cases did not enter the litigation phase. The court is among the first ones in the country to see a drop in the number of cases.

Judges at this trial court gather and discuss over difficult cases. /CGTN Photo

Despite the decline in the number of cases, the court still settled more than 20,000 lawsuits last year. It's a result of longer working hours for Tang and her fellow judges. As judicial reform continues, they are among some 120,000 judges nationwide contributing to China's rule of law.

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