Judicial Independence Bolstered by China's Grand Justice System

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, March 23, 2002

Judicial Independence Bolstered by China's Grand Justice System

The independence of China's judiciary was given a boost with the long-anticipated appointment of 41 "grand justices" Thursday, the new appointees said Friday.

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The independence of China's judiciary was given a boost with the long-anticipated appointment of 41 "grand justices" Thursday, the new appointees said Friday.

"Compared with the titles of president or vice-president of a people's court, the new honor stresses the pursuit of judicial equity, neutrality, equality, independence and probity of judges," said Grand Justice Shen Deyong, vice-president of the Supreme People's Court (SPC) at a meeting of grand justices.

According to the revised law on judges, the president of the SPC becomes chief grand justice, and vice-presidents and members of the Judicial Committee of the SPC and presidents of provincial-level Higher People's Courts become grand justices after assessment and appointment by the SPC.

The 41 grand justices were awarded the certificate of grand justice Thursday by Chief Grand Justice Xiao Yang, and afterwards met with Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

"The professional title of grand justice has been the lifetime pursuit of judges older than us," said 44-year-old Grand Justice Zhang Xuan, who is also president of the Chongqing Municipal Higher People's Court, "because it means more than the administrative title of president or vice-president of the court."

"The initiation of the new system also indicates that Chinese courts have brought their practices closer to international practices, which will further promote independent trials in courts," she said.

Judges are known for their impartiality when sitting in court, but the wording at Friday's meeting of grand justices was full of emotion.

Zhu Mingshan, vice-president of the SPC, is the oldest of the 41 grand justices. "The long practice of law has made me realize that being a judge is more than a career, but a sacred cause. It requires loyalty, sacrifice, diligence, an enterprising spirit and bravery," he said.

He added that he would fulfill his duty till his last day on the bench.

Chief Grand Justice Xiao Yang, president of the SPC, admitted that grand justices were facing an uphill battle in improving the caliber of 30,000 senior judges and 180,000 judges that have just been appointed along with the grand justices.

"Due to the professional and ethical quality of some judges and other factors, there have been complaints about the equality of justice," he said.

"Grand justices must resolve, with their deeds, these complaints, otherwise the dignity of the Constitution and law will be compromised, expectations of the people let down and the Chinese people will be victimized," he said.

"Justice, only justice, should be the motto of grand justices," he said.

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