Mediation, not trials, can help settle rising disputes

BEIJING - Mediation must precede trials as the first attempt to solve disputes, with the hopes of addressing emerging social conflicts more quickly and efficiently, the country's top court has mandated.

The requirement, which was the theme of a guideline released on the website of the Supreme People's Court on Monday, urges further implementation of mediation.

The guideline came on the heels of the legislators' review of China's first draft law on mediation last Tuesday.