The Dream Factory of China

13 Hong Kong jurors swore in July 26 at Shenzhen Qianhai Cooperation Zone People’s Court, which marks an important step on the road of the nation’s judicial reform.

Among all cases in the Qianhai court, 60 percent are business cases related to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions, and recently the court has been engaged in recruiting well-qualified Hong Kong jurors.

The newly appointed jurors are Hong Kong or overseas graduates who are aged 29 between to 49, specializing in fields varying from finance and technology to cultural industry and public affairs. Their rich experiences in handling Hong Kong and international cases enable them to settle disputes more effectively.

In the afternoon, Law Wai-hung and Kwan Chun-wah served jury duty in Qianhai for the first time. “Today’s court hearing benefited me a lot,” said Law, the president of Hong Kong Meditation Center. Attending the mainland’s court offers a better insight of China’s judicial system, according to Law.

Law also emphasized Hong Kong jurors’ role in bridging the two regions. “The line-up consisting of mainland judges and Hong Kong jurors will lead us closer to justice, regional integration and court transparency,” he said.

The recruitment of Hong Kong jurors marks an important step on the road towards comprehensive judicial reform in Qianhai, embodying the innovation in people’s jury system, said Wen Changzhi, the president of the Qianhai court.

Wen added that, one of the most effective approaches to democratic and open juridical is to encourage civic engagement. Since last February, the Qianhai court has handled with 1,185 Shenzhen-Hong Kong cases which accounts for 48.1 percent of the total, and Hong Kong jurors can be part of the legal system now.

Law echoed that the appointment lays the groundwork for developing a diversified justice system as well as creating a favorable legal environment for international business.

According to Wen, Qianhai will further promote reform in Hong Kong jurors system so as to strengthen jurors’ role as third parties and enhance Qianhai court’s authority.

Local professionals expects the Qianhai court to take a global perspective, learn from excellent judicial experiences, and become a model court.