Qianhai court in Shenzhen to allow Hong Kong jurors to deal with Hong Kong-related cases
HK lawyer expresses doubts about scheme since contracts often based on mainland law
A Shenzhen court is to adopt a new jury system that will allow Hong Kong residents to join its legal panel, mainland media reported.
The Qianhai District Court will invite Hongkongers to take part in its three-member judging panel specifically to deal with Hong Kong-related cases. The court in the special economic zone touted as a "mini Hong Kong" would also explore laws used in the city, the Xinhua report said.
The news came after the Shenzhen Municipal Intermediate People's Court, under which the Qianhai court falls, revealed on Tuesday that its six courts had been dealing with a large number of cases involving Hong Kong litigants.
Form 2008 to 2013, the courts have dealt with more than "7,500 Hong Kong cases", making up 79 per cent of the 9,505 foreign cases heard in the past five years.
The head of the city's commercial court, Ye Qing, told a mainland newspaper that by exploring cooperation between Hong Kong and mainland courts, the Qianhai District Court aimed to "maximise benefits for litigants".
But the change - which Ye stressed was designed to incorporate more Hong Kong elements into the commercial part of the mainland legal system - drew reservations from Hong Kong lawyers.