Judicial aid made available to firms

SHANGHAI: Local firms battling the effects of the global financial crisis, will pay lower fees to defend lawsuits brought against them, the city's High People's Court said in a statement yesterday.

Providing they meet certain conditions, the companies will be subject to reduced court costs, or have their expenses delayed or exempted, the statement said.

This is the first time financial support in judicial hearings has been made available to firms. It was previously available only to individuals.