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SCMP Reporter

A new supervision system to make judiciary workers more accountable was announced yesterday.

 Vice-president of the Supreme People' Court Li Guoguang said an internal supervisory system would cover all judicial officials, including judges and secretaries.

 'This move is to promote clean and honest courthouses and ensure justice is served,' Mr Li said.

 The new system builds on one established almost a decade ago which applied only to judges.

  It means members of the public can complain to a disciplinary committee if they feel unfairly treated. Judges, party leaders and other local officials make up the committee.

  Mr Li said he welcomed 'public supervision' to ensure the new system was put into effect.

  But he said judicial officials who erred due to a 'misunderstanding of the law or of the evidence' would not be punished for their mistakes. Genuine offenders could face punishment ranging from making a self-criticism to criminal charges.

 Mr Li said authorities were determined to wipe out abuses in the courts, although the system relies heavily on judicial officials policing themselves.

 Top leaders including Justice Minister Xiao Yang have vowed to clean up the labyrinthine judiciary.

 Unlike Western legal systems, mainland judges do not have the power to decide cases alone and most cases are decided by a panel.

 Although authorities have tried to raise the standards of the country's 170,000 judges, many have not been legally trained. Some have only high school education.



Greater accountability for judiciary