Governments should 'respond promptly' to lawsuits

Government departments should respond promptly when they are involved in administrative lawsuits, according to a statement released on Tuesday after the 17th Meeting of the Central Leading Group for Deepening Overall Reform.

Administrative litigation is an important legal avenue for resolving administrative disputes and protecting the rights and interests of citizens and organizations, the statement said. Responding to lawsuits, rather than manipulating trials, is a statutory duty of government, it added.

The statement, which was issued by a group tasked with steering reform, said that government departments should support the courts in accepting and handling cases. Administrative bodies should reply to charges and make their appearance in court according to the law, it said.