Top justice urges easier rules for filing lawsuits

China's top justice on Thursday urged implementation of new rules to make filing lawsuits easier for the public.

Zhou Qiang, president of the Supreme People's Court (SPC), made the remarks at a national meeting on the issue.

The SPC on Wednesday streamlined procedures for courts to accept and hear cases in a step toward an authoritative judicial system in China.

To address difficulties the public has in filing cases, current accreditation by courts will be replaced by a case registration system. The new rules state that "people's courts must accept cases that should be handled according to the law, and no unit or individual may obstruct for any reason."

At Thursday's meeting, Zhou told all courts nationwide to conduct a complete overhaul of their practices and abolish inconsistencies.

With the launch of the new rules, the SPC also issued a circular enabling the litigants to complain in cases when the courts refuse, delay or intervene in case filing procedures.

The litigants may file their complaints to the courts where they intended to bring the case, or complain to a superior court, according to the SPC circular, which was published on Thursday.

The document also said the courts should provide proper guides to help applicants who want to file a suit. If the litigants have difficulty submitting a written complaint, verbal complaints will also be documented and considered.

However, the document also stipulated punishments for abuse or malicious practice of the right of action.

To explain the new SPC rules, an SPC justice on Wednesday stressed that going to court is the last resort and may not be the "best way to resolve disputes." Endit