Meng Jianzhu, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Central Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the Party, paid an inspection tour to the first circuit court of China’s Supreme People’s Court in Shenzhen, Guangdong province on Jan 15.

His visit was made just before the first anniversary of the SPC’s first and second circuit courts in Shenzhen and Shenyang, Liaoning province on Jan 28 and 31.

Meng Jianzhu (first in front row on left), visits the judges and staff workers at the first circuit court of the Supreme People’s Court in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on Jan 15. [Photo by Hao Fan/chinacourt.org]

Meng Jianzhu (third from left) addresses a meeting marking the upcoming first anniversary of the first circuit court of China’s Supreme People’s Court in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on Jan 15. [Photo by Hao Fan/chinacourt.org]

The circuit courts have made a good start in judicial reform, handling cases and conflicts, and improving administrative management.

During his inspection tour to the first circuit court, Meng went to the video reception room and communicated with judges and staff workers. He learned from two lawyers at the voluntary service center that the court had signed an agreement with the lawyers’ association of Shenzhen to provide legal assistance and consultation to litigants.

At the symposium, where Meng presided, Liu Guixiang, a member of the SPC’s Judicial Committee and president of the first circuit court, said the court has, since its establishment, promoted the reform of the mechanism of judicial power and carried out a group of reform measures on management of judges and judicial personnel.

The judicial accountability system has enhanced the responsibility of judges and raised the court’s efficiency, which has gained approval from lawyers, scholars and the general public, Liu added.

Geoffrey Ma, chief justice of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, spoke highly of the judicial reform, and expressed his appreciation of the professional competence of judges in the mainland, according to Liu. Hu Yunteng, a member of the SPC’s Judicial Committee and president of the second circuit court, who joined the symposium from Shenyang, said the circuit court has provided more opportunities for lawyers and people at grassroots levels, such as the parties concerned in litigation, to receive legal services provided by SPC judges.

The circuit court also guides and supervises the handling of cases within its jurisdiction, according to Hu.

Meng Jianzhu said the circuit courts have made remarkable achievements in benefiting people in litigation, removing judicial intervention, increasing judicial credibility and safeguarding social fairness and justice.

He noted that these experiences would be important to judicial reform, and that the reform of the case jurisdiction system and the circuit courts should play a role in cross regional cases.

Meng Jianzhu talked to judges attending the symposium and thanked them for their dedication, since they have to work far away from their families. He also urged the Central Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the Communist Party of China and Supreme People’s Court to improve the career security of judicial personnel.

The symposium was also attended by the CPLA‘s secretary-general Wang Yongqing, deputy secretary-general Wang Shuangquan, and officials from Guangdong province and Shenzhen city.