The Supreme People's Court (SPC) recently issued a guideline on giving full play to the function of juvenile division of circuit courts in protecting minors and preventing juvenile delinquency.

The guideline clarifies the working mechanism of juvenile division of circuit courts, and establishes a list of responsibilities that provides policy support to ensure that minors are well protected.

According to the document, juvenile divisions should try cases involving the protection of minors' rights and interests that are under the jurisdiction of the circuit court of the SPC, and cooperate with the relevant SPC departments to offer trial guidance to the people's courts in the same jurisdiction. Typical cases of juvenile protection heard in juvenile divisions and circuit courts should be regularly submitted to the office of juvenile court at the SPC.

The juvenile divisions should enhance the communication and exchange between courts and universities and colleges, conduct targeted research and discussion on the hot and difficult issues in the practice of juvenile trials and try to develop high-level, influential and effective research results.

They are encouraged to give full play to the advantages of being close to the grassroots and the general public, and actively explore new models and mechanisms of juvenile justice work.

The  divisions should promote legal publicity targeting juveniles and create a unique brand of minor protection with domestic influence, the guideline says.

It suggests legal publicity campaigns such as themed events on International Children’s Day and National Constitution Day in elementary and secondary schools, as well as mock trials.

The top court established juvenile divisions in its six circuit courts in Shenzhen, Shenyang, Nanjing, Zhengzhou, Chongqing and Xi'an on March 6, 2021 in a bid to give stronger support to the protection of minors.