Zhang Jun, president of the Supreme People’s Court, leads a delegation to visit the All China Lawyers Association on March 1, listening to suggestions regarding the work of courts. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

Zhang Jun, president of the Supreme People’s Court (SPC), led a delegation to visit the All China Lawyers Association (ACLA) on March 1, listening to suggestions regarding the work of courts.

Zhang Jun, president of the Supreme People’s Court, delivers a speech at the symposium held at the All China Lawyers Association. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

He Rong, minister of justice, delivers a speech at the symposium held at the All China Lawyers Association. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

Addressing a symposium attended by Justice Minister He Rong and ACLA representatives, Zhang emphasized that ensuring the lawful performance of lawyers’ duties is of great significance in upholding the legitimate rights and interests of the people in accordance with the law.

It is the political responsibility of courts to uphold and safeguard the rights of lawyers to practice law in accordance with the law, and also their legal responsibility to faithfully fulfill the duties conferred by the Constitution and laws, and to justly adjudicate every case in accordance with the law, he said.

Zhang underlined the need to protect various litigation rights of lawyers in accordance with the law, fully listen to their opinions, ensure substantive court hearings, and facilitate channels for lawyers to provide feedback in order to promote more just, standardized and efficient judicial work.

It is important to adhere to and develop the "Fengqiao Experience" in the new era, a grassroots social governance model featuring mediation in China, he said. Efforts are needed to actively promote the participation of lawyers in diversified resolution of disputes and conflicts, and effectively prevent and resolve the root causes of conflicts and disputes, Zhang noted. He also highlighted the necessity to regulate the contact and interaction between court staff and lawyers, and strictly implement relevant regulations to avoid interference in judicial work.

He Rong pointed out in her address that lawyers and judges are important forces in promoting law-based governance in all fields in China.

She underscored the need to strengthen communication and cooperation between lawyers and courts, give full play to the role of lawyers associations, and safeguard the rights of lawyers in filing cases, reviewing files and conducting court debates. It is imperative to strengthen the supervision and management of the lawyer profession, and create a better environment and atmosphere for lawyers to practice law in accordance with the law, she noted.

She called for leveraging the role of lawyers in resolving conflicts and disputes and promoting the rule of law at the grassroots level, and building a clean relationship between lawyers and judges to jointly uphold social fairness and justice.

Officials from relevant departments of the SPC, the Ministry of Justice, and the ACLA attended the meeting.