Fund set up to support minors in lawsuits

A fund to support financially challenged minors involved in lawsuits and criminal cases has been launched by Shanghai High People's Court and the Children's Foundation of Shanghai.

The court said it is imperative to assist disadvantaged young people involved in civil cases or having fallen victim to crime in recent years.

A judicial relief system was established in 2008 to support minors, such as those with serious diseases or injury needing long-term medical treatment or those unable to obtain compensation in fraud cases. But many are still not covered.

The Children's Foundation of Shanghai will be responsible for making sure assistance reaches more children.

It is the first attempt in the country to establish a cohesive mechanism involving judicial aid and social assistance to support such cases.