Increasing presence of jurors in Chinese courts

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Increasing presence of jurors in Chinese courts

(Xinhua) 14:41, October 22, 2013

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BEIJING, Oct. 22 -- Jurors took part in 71.7 percent of first trials of court cases in China in the first seven months of the year, according to Zhou Qiang, China's chief justice, here Tuesday.

The ratio last year was 62.9 percent, a notable increase from 19.7 percent in 2006, said Zhou, when delivering a report on the country's juror system at the ongoing bi-monthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

In Chinese courts, a juror exercises the same power as a judge but not the chief judge of a trial. They form at least one third of a collegial panel.

Jurors are ordinary citizens aged above 23 and perform the duty part-time.

Currently, the country has about 87,000 jurors, 55 percent more than that of 2006, Zhou said, adding that the number is equal to half of judges in local courts.

Since 2005, jurors have heard 6.28 million trials, among which 1.76 million were criminal cases, according to Zhou's report.

As most jurors are experienced citizens and distinguished members of communities, they are very helpful in mediating between parties and settling disputes, Zhou said.

Jurors also contributed their expertise in cases like intellectual property rights and those involving the underage, he said.

More courts are inviting jurors to hear controversial cases to increase transparency and credibility, Zhou said.

"Jurors have played an important role in improving justice and credibility of the judicial system," he said.

（Editor：ZhangQian、Yao Chun）