ĦĦBEIJING, April 3 (Xinhua) -- China's supreme court has ordered local
courts to better handle lawsuits that are filed by people who disagree with
administrative orders, especially those suits that effect large numbers of
people.
China has seen an increasing number of civil suits involving controversial
administrative orders in recent years. They often center on the expropriation of
rural land, urban household resettlement, corporate restructuring and
environmental protection.
"Such disputes, which usually involve serious conflicts and the interests
of a large number of people, are difficult to handle and can have a great impact
on social harmony and stability," Cao Jianming, vice president of the Supreme
People's Court, said at a recent national meeting on administrative trial.
He urged local courts to improve mediation services and prevent the
disputes from escalating.
"Mediation should involve thorough investigations and with the precondition
that the interests of state, the public and individuals will not be harmed," Cao
said.
He also warned that no courts should force litigants to accept a mediated
settlement against their will.
The vice president said that the supreme court is preparing a document that
will help guide lower courts in their handling of such law suits.
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