China to grant more independence to judges

The latest CPC plenary session is set to conclude later on today, with a lot of expectations about what may come out of the sessions.

The meetings this week in Beijing have been focused on the rule of law.

Observers expect the Party may be prepared to create more judicial independence.

Wang Lei, a professor of law at Peking University, says he expects the CPC is moving to wipe out administrative interference in the legal system.

"The Communist Party of China Central Committee is unifying the management of the courts and procuratorates at or below the provincial level in personnel and financing. This is to prevent the courts at or below the municipal level from being influenced by the government or party committee at the same level, so as to ensure an independent judicial system,"

Wang Lei says complicated administrative procedures and too much bureaucracy are putting too much pressure on the system, as cases before the courts are often dragged out.

"There are lots of external and unprofessional influences affecting the judiciary. For example, final rulings can be made in a court under the influence of government officials or higher level administrative personnel who don't have enough judicial experience. The current situation is that judges don't have enough power. That is why we need to make some changes."

The Supreme People's Court has already issued a reform plan currently being piloted in a number of regions.